The Reel Review
After it is stranded on a remote island inhabited only by animals, a futuristic robot seeking purpose becomes the mother to a newly orphaned baby goose. Lupita Nyong’o and Kit Connor voice this DreamWorks family sci-fi/animation based on Peter Brown’s 2016 novel about motherhood, self-sacrifice and living a life of purpose.
First, let’s talk about the incredible animation from cinematographer Chris Stover (Trolls, How to Train Your Dragon) – it is dazzling and immersive with a painstaking attention to detail that makes every frame feel like a hand-drawn painting. Nyong’o and Connor perfectly capture the personalities of their characters Rozz and Brightbill, with fun supporting performances from a slew of big names, including Pedro Pascal as the wily fox who ends up becoming part of the family, Catherine O’Hara as the momma opossum with lots of babies to feed, and Bill Nighy as the wise elder goose who realizes that young Brightbill is a special fella whose determination and help from Rozz has helped him defy his odds of survival.
The screenplay from writer/director Chris Sanders (How to Train Your Dragon, Lilo & Stitch) remains true to the original book’s simple, straightforward storytelling, with an emotionally stirring soundtrack that includes a couple of songs from entertainer Maren Morris. With its honest and upfront portrayal of life and death, The Wild Robot is destined to become a classic. Prepare to cry – a lot.
REEL FACTS
• This is the second time Kit Connor has voiced an animal character, after voicing Pantalaimon in 2019’s His Dark Materials for three seasons.
• Writer/director Chris Sanders took inspiration from Disney classics and the works of Japanese filmmaker Hayao Miyazaki, describing the hand-painted style as “a Monet painting in a Miyazaki forest.”
• The Wild Robot is the final film to be animated entirely in-house at DreamWorks, which now relies heavily on outside vendors.
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