Shipwrecked on a deserted island, a robot named Roz must learn to adapt to its new surroundings. Building relationships with the native animals, Roz soon develops a parental bond with an orphaned gosling.

“That gosling stalks me, and makes noise and makes simple tasks more complicated, or impossible."

Believe the hype: this movie is absolutely wonderful. Written and directed by Chris Sanders (Lilo & Stitch, How to Train Your Dragon), and based on Peter Brown’s bestselling children’s books, The Wild Robot is about a well-meaning robot named Roz (Lupita Nyong’o), who awakens on an island where she sticks out like a sore, mechanical thumb amid the lush landscape. Programmed to help whoever she’s assigned to and complete tasks with ease, Roz is stunned to learn that the island is not populated with needy humans but rather a plethora of snarky woodland creatures, voiced by a star-studded cast including Bill Nighy, Mark Hamill, Catherine O’Hara, Matt Berry, and Ving Rhames (Stephanie Hsu also voices another robot). 

While fending off ravenous wildlife and trying to find her purpose, Roz encounters an egg, which soon becomes an adorable gosling runt. As she takes on the task of raising the young Brightbill (Kit Connor) with the help of the sardonic fox, Fink (Pedro Pascal), Roz sheds her stoic robot sensibilities and embraces all that the wild has to offer, learning that motherhood might be her most challenging and rewarding mission of all.

First of all, the animation is just gorgeous, creating a storybook-like feel that recalls the great Disney classics (The Wild Robot is produced by Dreamworks Animation). The use of the various colours of the island is particularly fantastic. Coupled with the striking visuals, an original score by Kris Bowers is one of The Wild Robot’s greatest assets. Scenes of geese soaring over stunning landscapes are punctuated by his grand, sweeping music, and soft, tender moments are similarly aided by his evocative musical touch.

The central story of a parent’s love is just wonderful and very heartwarming (I may have gotten a little teary-eyed a couple of times). Nyong’o, Pascal, and Connor form an unexpected family, and the trio bring their characters to life with great range and emotion. And while The Wild Robot largely succeeds by tugging at heartstrings, it’s also incredibly funny. Sanders’ skill for comedy is evident through a winning combination of snappy dialogue and clever visual gags. 

A visually striking, wildly moving story about finding your family in the most unexpected places, The Wild Robot is the funny and heartwarming remedy I needed after a rough week. 

Stray notes:
- Matt Berry’s neurotic beaver saying “Male bovine excrement!!!” instead of “Bullshit!!” made me laugh very hard