Marqus Rice’s review published on Letterboxd:
The best movie in Dreamworks animation history. That’s been the chatter surrounding the newest animated movie from the studio. A tall task in my opinion considering Dreamworks has given us classics like Shrek and How to Train Your Dragon. I would’ve guessed this would’ve been one of those situations where everyone gasses up a movie, I watch it and it can’t possibly live up to the expectations set. Especially considering I wasn’t too enamored with the marketing and trailers. I mean this movie just looked like another discount WALL-E without any of that Pixar magic. Well, I was DEAD WRONG on those assumptions. The Wild Robot clears Inside Out 2 and Transformers One as the definitive best animated movie of the year so far. And here’s what I’ll say, it's too early to say this is the studio’s best movie. Stick a gun to my head right now. I'd say it isn't as good as those first two Shrek films or HTTYD. That being said, it’s a testament to how good this movie is that it’s not a ridiculous notion calling it that at all. It’s definitely in the conversation.
The Wild Robot follows a utilitarian robot who names herself ROZ. For unknown reasons ROZ finds herself stranded on an island filled with some dangerous animals. The first part of this movie doesn’t feature a ton of dialogue as it shows just ROZ adapting and learning the ways of her environment. This part of the film on its own would’ve been entertaining enough as this robot in comedic fashion interacts with the wildlife in some intense ways. But the film finds its true heart when ROZ befriends a fox named Fink and becomes a surrogate mom to a Goose who she names Brightbill. Brightbill sort of has that Nemo thing going on. He’s a runt so he’s a much smaller Goose than normal. ROZ tasks herself with taking care of the bird. Feeding it, helping it learn to swim and most importantly helping him learn to fly so he can migrate. And it’s in the relationship between these three that I really fell in love with this movie. If you would've told me that this movie would’ve made me care so much about the friendship between a robot, fox, and bird I would’ve said your nuts. But a simple line like “I love you.” they share between each other is enough to fill your heart and make you all warm inside.
Really impressed with the voice cast here. Too often animated movies think going for big actors is the key to a film's success. In my opinion I’ve always preferred the Pixar method of just going for the actor most suited for the role as opposed to getting big names. The Wild Robot swings for big actors but in the case of this film it really works. I’ll be honest, it took me about a half hour to realize that it was Lupita Nyong’o who was the voice of ROZ. Or that Pedro Pascal was the voice of Fink. The voice work is good enough to me that you don’t even recognize them in these roles which is what I prefer to be honest. As for other things that work about this movie, Kris Bowers score and the soundtrack which includes two great songs by country music artist Maren Morris standout. There’s a particular sequence with which the song “Kiss The Sky” plays that I found particularly moving. The animation is gorgeous, it reminds me a lot of Puss in Boots: The Last Wish but takes inspiration from Miyazaki as well.
There’s just so many great messages for kids here. Hard work, believing in yourself, don’t judge a book by its cover, families come in many different shapes and sizes etc. etc. This is a movie I don’t think kids will just love either. I have a feeling parents will be moved by the bond ROZ and Brightbill form over the course of the film as it’s a universal one of love. I don’t know how else to put it but this movie is just wonderful. Featuring gorgeous animation, a moving score and soundtrack, and heartwarming characters and messages, there's never a dull moment in The Wild Robot. It isn’t just the best animated film of the year so far as to me it's one of the better movies of the year period. What a seriously moving film. Chris Sanders, who directed the aforementioned HTTYD has delivered yet another stunning piece of animation. The Wild Robot should be in line for the Best Animated Feature at next year’s Oscars.
