“The Wild Robot,” a DreamWorks movie directed by Chris Sanders, was released in theaters on Sept. 27, 2024. The last movie to be animated entirely in-house by DreamWorks, this highly anticipated film received widespread critical acclaim and left audiences in wonderment with its powerful message of love, friendship and belonging, including complex themes such as modernization.
The movie “The Wild Robot” is about Roz, a robot who must learn to adapt and survive on an uninhabited island after a shipwreck. Entirely unprepared to survive in the wild, Roz struggles to adjust to her surroundings and communicate with the animals of the island. While she learns, the robot accidentally crashes down a cliffside and lands in a gosling nest. Saving the only egg left alive, Roz makes it her new mission to keep it safe, not initially knowing what exactly it may have within. Along with her new friend, Fink, a fox, she decides to support this gosling until it’s ready to migrate in the fall.
Taking place in a futuristic society, this movie highlights common themes of modernization and how that influences reliance on technology. Roz, however, is a great example of the attempt to combine technology and nature, as she learns what lies beyond the idea of the world she was programmed to believe. Roz is disregarded because of her unfamiliarity with the wildlife, but the animals, including the gosling she raises, eventually grow to value Roz as a key part of their community. This concept redefines the idea of what it means to belong by showcasing a powerful relationship amongst the animals and conveys the power of diversity in a society, which serves to be a reminder to us all as our world grows and changes every day.
“The Wild Robot” also illustrates the important makings of a family. The film demonstrates how a robot, a fox, and a gosling could form a family, despite the numerous differences and imperfections the trio may entail. However, instead of holding them back, their differences only bring them closer and allow them to achieve their goals more effectively. Roz’s tall size makes up for Brightbill’s small form, and Fink’s mindset only enhances the relationship of the trio, as seen in many parts of the movie in which Roz helps the gosling learn to fly, along with the help of Fink and his familiarity with the wildlife on the island.
Combining 2D and 3D animation, this movie provides the audience with amazing cinematography and beautiful scenes, only improving the viewing experience and overall aesthetics.
The film’s appeal is only increased by the abundance of nostalgic moments, causing the audience to reminisce about their childhood and reflect on their long-standing relationships with friends and family.
DreamWorks’ last fully animated movie, “The Wild Robot,” has proved to be a success, blending mature topics with family-friendly characters, all coming together to create a mesmerizing animated film.
