The Wild Robot
★★★★
The Wild Robot isn’t your average animated film. It’s rare to find a story that skips the predictable laughs and easy crowd-pleasers to focus on something deeper and more meaningful for both kids and adults. The Wild Robot stands on its own, offering a story that respects its audience, never feeling the need to talk down to viewers. This is a film that trusts you to keep up with it, and it’s such a breath of fresh air.
The story beautifully blends technology and nature—an allegory that’s as visually stunning as it is narratively rich. The animation achieves a unique look by layering a watercolor effect over the typical computer animation, which brings a lush vibrancy to the forest and woodland creatures that surround our robot protagonist. This mix of modern visuals and traditional textures is just mesmerizing; it’s one of the most beautiful animated films I’ve seen in years.
Parents especially will feel the pull of the heartfelt relationship that blooms between the robot, voiced perfectly by Lupita Nyong'o, and a lively little bird, Brightbill (Kit Connor). Their connection is an unusual one, but you believe every step as it builds into a bond that’s endearing and real. The movie even dives into some darker themes about the circle of life, using humor and wisdom to present the harsher realities of nature in a way that’s both educational and age-appropriate.
One of the film’s most touching moments comes as the robot must finally let go, trusting the child she's guided to use the skills she’s taught. It's a beautifully universal parenting moment, showing just how bittersweet it can be to watch a child grow and move forward. This scene alone makes the film worth watching, as it captures the complexities of parenthood with emotional authenticity.
Overall, The Wild Robot is sweet, touching and accessible. Sure, there are moments where it dips into the robot's "real world" backstory, which felt a bit out of place, but those moments are easily overshadowed by the sheer brilliance of the film’s best scenes. This isn’t just another WALL-E; The Wild Robot stands on its own as a thoughtful, visually breathtaking story about love, growth and the delicate balance between nature and technology. And with a little luck, it might just give Inside Out 2 a real run for its money in the race for Best Animated Feature.
