By Alex Gilston - October 12, 2024
The output from Dreamworks Animation has been hit and miss over recent years. There have been highs in the shape of Puss In Boots: The Last Wish, but also lows provided by the fourth instalment of Kung Fu Panda. But when Chris Sanders (How To Train Your Dragon, Lilo and Stitch) announced his latest project - The Wild Robot - there was a lot to get excited about.
You’ll be pleased to know that The Wild Robot firmly roots itself in the highs category. With an affecting narrative, stellar voice performances, and gorgeous animation, it deserves to be the next animated hit.
The Wild Robot, based on the book of the same name, is a narratively rich outing for Dreamworks. The central focus is on that of Roz, the presumably AI robot main character, and their relationship with Brightbill, who Roz becomes a de facto mother for. They are both fresh to the world and are trying to abide by the very solid rules that their nature instructs. But as time goes on they learn from each other and, especially Roz, learns to break free from their preconditioned code to pave their own way. It achieves this in the way that most perfect animated films, which are primarily targeted at children, in that it has a depth to it that doesn’t insult the intelligence of its younger viewers.
On top of this, there’s a whole ecosystem of animal side characters that Roz and Brightbill interact with. As well as being about breaking free from the confines of your predetermined life The Wild Robot also has a beautiful undercurrent narrative about the importance of community.
Naturally when the animals all come together for the first time the food chain threatens to kick in. But it’s the suggestion of Fink the fox that they’re stronger together. All of these narrative threads are interwoven into the human essence of The Wild Robot, despite their not being a homosapien in sight.
Dreamworks studios continues to be on the forefront of the future of aesthetics within computer generated animation. After films like Puss In Boots: The Last Wish, and The Bad Guys, there’s a further honing in of the style indicative of a film from the studio in The Wild Robot. One of the first films to mix 2D and 3D animation techniques was Treasure Planet back in 2002. But it was a fairly new concept and didn’t end well for the cult classic. Dreamworks has a better track record with playing with that style however. The director Chris Sanders spoke about properly leaning into this new art style that animated films seem to be adopting, and it’s safe to say it’s utilised to a new high in The Wild Robot. The fully realised geometrical character design against the “hand painted” backgrounds are to die for.
The voice performances are also a highlight of The Wild Robot. It’s got a stellar cast including, Lupita Nyong’o, Pedro Pascal, Kit Connor, Matt Berry, Catherine O’Hara, Mark Hamill, and Bill Nighy. They’re all recognisable voices and you’ll find yourself having a little lightbulb moment every time a new voice comes on screen. But they’re all distinct from one another which gives the characters a special feel.
The Wild Robot isn't just the best animated film of the year, it’s quite possibly one of the best full stop. It’s a beautiful story that will resonate with its audience told in an imaginative way that will entice people of all ages. The “we want original animation” crowd better be loud about this one, because it deserves its flowers and more.
The Wild Robot releases in cinemas October 18
Comments