FCS17’s review published on Letterboxd:
One of the highest-rated films on Letterboxd this year, this film has garnered considerable hype, leaving me pleasantly surprised. DreamWorks Animation has had its ups and downs over the years, and their recent output has been less than stellar. I initially didn’t expect many people to seek this film out, yet, the moment I watched the trailer, I sensed something special about it. Despite their inconsistencies, amidst the less successful titles, DreamWorks has produced true gems, this film struck me as an outlier in their portfolio. It reminded me of Puss in Boots: The Last Wish, but it felt distinctly different. It abandoned the studio's signature humour, opting instead for a feel reminiscent of classic Pixar films like Ratatouille or The Incredibles. Most importantly, it echoed the greatness of my personal favourite animated film, The Iron Giant. With Chris Sanders (known for his work during Disney's renaissance and directing beloved films like Lilo & Stitch and How to Train Your Dragon) at the helm, it’s no surprise that this film has become one of my favourites of the year.
The story at its core is relatively simple, revolving around a robot navigating its environment and learning to bond with a young creature. Yes, we’ve seen variations of the fish-out-of-water trope before, but this film refreshingly subverts expectations. The concept of a robot adapting its programming to express love and care for what is essentially its child resonated deeply with me, and I found the execution delightful. The storytelling may be straightforward, yet it is far from boring; it manages to engage without feeling like a rehash of past narratives.
Visually, the animation is distinct. While it doesn’t go for the exuberant colours and stylistic flair one might associate with other DreamWorks films, this rougher, more grounded approach adds a beautiful texture. The animation in the film is almost sharp and crisp, balancing emotional depth with action sequences without ever compromising on visual storytelling. Every frame contributes to the film's atmosphere, evoking the natural world vividly, almost being a bit cold. Though it may appear less, for a lack of a better word, artistically adventurous compared to something like Puss in Boots: The Last Wish, I found its subtlety gave the film an authenticity that perfectly captures the story's tone.
That being said, I did find the climactic action sequence somewhat jarring. The contrast it posed to the film’s overall simple narrative was odd, introducing a tone that felt uncharacteristic of the film’s nature-driven plot. Though the action was enjoyable and exciting, it seemed unnecessary in light of the film’s quieter, contemplative moments. However, as a children’s film, it does a commendable job of captivating the younger audience, while I personally preferred the more grounded parts, the action sequences certainly served their purpose.
The characters drive this narrative, and a film titled “The Wild Robot” needs a lead of substantial presence. Lupita Nyong'o is remarkable as Roz, the robot, and her chemistry with the wise fox, voiced expertly by Pedro Pascal, shines. Pascal’s performance is fantastic; the character feels more real than animated, embodying the essence of a clever fox seamlessly. However, I found Brightbill less compelling than I hoped. While their bond was charming and engaging, Brightbill himself occasionally felt a bit bland. This isn’t entirely a fault of the character; he often exists in response to the vibrant world surrounding him, reminiscent of Alice in Alice in Wonderland. I was thankful for this approach instead an approach where the character was obnoxious, however I cannot help but feel the character wad overshadowed by the richer personalities around him. As well as Brightbill, the villain didn’t leave a lasting impression.
Among the standout scenes, I particularly cherished the moment when an older Brightbill starts acting 'robotic' like his maternal figure. Another poignant moment occurred when Brightbill finally told Roz he loved her, an emotional moment. Finally, the migration scenes were also highly entertaining and highlighted the animated world’s vibrancy. All very memorable scenes.
When it comes to humour, this film strikes a balance. While it’s not in-your-face or crass like some of DreamWorks’ previous endeavours, when the humour does make an appearance, it’s genuinely enjoyable. The slapstick moments are fun, and some darker comedic elements provided genuine belly laughs. Not every joke landed perfectly, but honestly, it didn’t detract from my overall enjoyment.
In summary, the film stands as a beautifully crafted film that excels in character development and emotional storytelling. With its stunning animation and captivating narrative, it proves that simplicity can be incredibly powerful.