06 Oct TIFF REVIEW – ‘The Wild Robot’ might just be the greatest DreamWorks Animations work to date
In a year when Pixar came roaring back to life with the box office phenomenon that was Inside Out 2, all eyes now turn to DreamWorks Animation and their adaptation of Peter Brown’s beloved 2016 novel, The Wild Robot. As fate would have it, they’ve gone and delivered what might just be their greatest work to date. And it could be the film that finally delivers the studio’s first Academy Award for Best Animated Feature. Heck, throw it in the mix for a Best Picture nomination too. Yep, it’s that good.
Stunningly animated with a superb ensemble voice cast, The Wild Robot is a gorgeous piece of cinema. With themes of nature, survival, and what it means to be alive, this absolute gem offers a profound exploration of both the human condition and the connection between technology and the natural world. Combining breathtaking animation, an engaging story, and thoughtful character development, the film is not only a visual feast but also a moving meditation on life, friendship, and survival in an unforgiving environment.
The film revolves around service robot ROZZUM Unit 7134 aka Roz (Lupita Nyong’o) who awakens on a remote, uninhabited island after being tossed overboard from a cargo ship during a typhoon. Programmed to perform functions for humans, Roz is immediately out of her element in a wild environment full of animals. When she realises no one is coming to retrieve her, she must adapt to her new surroundings to survive.
Initially, Roz struggles to interact with the natural environment. The island’s animals fear her, viewing her as an alien and dangerous presence, especially after she accidentally causes the death of a mother goose. When Roz discovers one surviving egg in the goose’s nest, it hatches and the orphaned gosling imprints itself onto her and mistakes the robot for its mother. After receiving advice from the maternal opossum Pinktail (Catherine O’Hara), makes the unusual decision to adopt and raise the abandoned youngster, whom she names Brightbill (Kit Connor).
As seasons change and challenges arise, Roz must defend herself and Brightbill from natural predators, weather harsh storms, and overcome the scepticism of the island’s animal inhabitants that she can teach Brightbill how to fly so he may join the other geese in migrating for the winter. With the help of Fink (Pedro Pascal), a mischievous red fox who realises he can benefit from a friendship with the booming robot, Roz will learn what it is to be more than just a piece of machinery.
Visually, The Wild Robot is nothing short of spectacular. The film’s animation style is reminiscent of Studio Ghibli’s meticulous attention to nature, with each frame bursting with lush greenery, vibrant flowers, and carefully rendered animals. The island is depicted as a living, breathing organism, and the animation brings it to life in a way that feels immersive and tactile. From the dense forests to the shimmering lakes, every detail in the natural landscape feels meticulously crafted to draw viewers into the world.
Roz herself is rendered in a more mechanical, geometric design, standing in stark contrast to the organic beauty of the island. This contrast serves as a visual metaphor for the tension between the artificial and the natural, a theme that is explored throughout the movie. Despite her robotic appearance, Roz is animated with subtle nuances. Her movements are initially rigid and stilted, but as she grows more comfortable in her environment, her movements become more fluid, symbolising her gradual adaptation to her surroundings.
With nothing more than her voice, Nyong’o brings incredible emotional depth and personality to Roz. As the film progresses, Nyong’o slowly transforms the mechanical nature of Roz into something unexpectedly tender and relatable. Roz’s robotic monotone subtly evolves into a warmer, more expressive voice as she grows emotionally throughout the film, reflecting her journey from artificial intelligence to a caring figure. Pascal is perfectly cast as the impish fox who slowly begins to deny his natural selfish instincts, while O’Hara offers plenty of sarcastic one-liners as a beleaguered mother with an often morbid outlook on the cruelties of life.
At its core, The Wild Robot is a story about survival—not just physical survival, but emotional and social survival as well. Roz’s journey is one of adaptation, learning, and growth. She begins the film as a literal outsider, not just because she is a robot, but because she is alone in a place that is unfamiliar and hostile to her. Her mechanical nature makes her an outcast, and the film explores how she navigates this isolation.
What sets The Wild Robot apart from typical survival stories is that Roz’s survival isn’t about brute force or intelligence; it’s about learning to coexist. She doesn’t conquer the island; she becomes a part of it. Her evolution from a machine designed for specific tasks to a being capable of love and empathy is beautifully paralleled by her growing understanding of the island’s ecosystem. The film sends a powerful message about the importance of cooperation and respect for nature.
Roz’s relationship with Brightbill is the most poignant aspect of this theme. The bond between them symbolises the intersection of the natural and the artificial. Roz, initially incapable of emotions, begins to experience something akin to motherhood, while Brightbill learns to see Roz not as a machine, but as a parent. Their relationship highlights the film’s central idea that survival is about more than just existing—it’s about forming connections and finding meaning in life, no matter how unconventional the circumstances.
One of the most surprisingly compelling aspects of The Wild Robot is its exploration of what it means to be human, which is naturally rather ironic in a film devoid of any human characters. Although Roz is a robot, she undergoes a transformation that mirrors human development. The film subtly raises questions about consciousness, identity, and the nature of life itself. What makes someone—or something—truly alive? Is it intelligence? Emotional capacity? The ability to form relationships? Roz’s journey invites viewers to reflect on these questions.
As Roz begins to adopt more human-like traits, such as empathy and self-sacrifice, the film suggests that humanity is not defined by biology. It is Roz’s actions, not her mechanical body, that makes her more human than the soulless machines sent to retrieve her. In this way, The Wild Robot aligns with other science fiction works that challenge the boundaries between humans and machines, but it does so with a gentler, more introspective tone.
The film also examines the idea of free will. Roz was not designed to live in the wild or to care for a gosling, but she chooses to do so, defying her programming. This act of rebellion against her intended purpose echoes classic science fiction themes of autonomy and the right to self-determination. Yet, rather than focusing on the technological aspects of this dilemma, The Wild Robot grounds these ideas in Roz’s personal journey, making them feel more accessible and emotionally resonant for audiences of all ages.
The Wild Robot is a visually stunning, emotionally rich film that combines beautiful animation with deep philosophical questions. Its exploration of survival, identity, and the natural world makes it a compelling watch for audiences of all ages. The bond between Roz and Brightbill, as well as Roz’s gradual transformation from machine to mother figure, gives the film a heartwarming core that will resonate with viewers long after the credits roll.
At a time when our relationship with technology and nature is more complicated than ever, The Wild Robot offers a thoughtful and inspiring take on what it means to live in harmony with the world around us. It is a story of growth, connection, and the power of love to transcend even the most fundamental boundaries. For both fans of the original book and newcomers to Roz’s story, this adaptation is a must-see triumph and one of the year’s best family films.
Distributor: Universal Pictures
Cast: Lupita Nyong’o, Pedro Pascal, Catherine O’Hara, Kit Connor, Bill Nighy, Stephanie Hsu, Matt Berry, Ving Rhames, Mark Hamill
Director: Chris Sanders
Producer: Jeff Hermann
Screenplay: Chris Sanders
Production Design: Raymond Zibach
Editor: Mary Blee
Music: Kris Bowers
Running Time: 101 minutes
Release Date: 19th September 2024 (Australia)