'The Wild Robot' is One of the Best Animated Films of the Year - Review

The Wild Robot is a beautiful blend of emotion and animation.

Like the robot at its center, the film The Wild Robot has multiple functions. It has beautiful animation and strong voice performances and manages to tug at the heartstrings in a lovely way. The film also succeeds as a powerful animated entry. I expect it to delight parents and children, as it is one of the year’s best-animated films.

ROZZUM unit 7134, or “Roz” (Lupita Nyong’o), awakens on an island full of wildlife after a botched shipping procedure. Roz is a robot full of nifty tech used to support humans in the future when the film takes place. Damage to Roz leaves her unable to return to society, so she takes the time to try and understand the local wildlife. This eventually leads her to form a bond with a fox named Fink (Pedro Pascal) and a newly born gosling, Brightbill (Kit Connor).

Lupita Nyong’o has established herself as an actress able to take on the full spectrum of emotional performances. She is able to utilize that skill in voice acting form, allowing Roz to change from dutiful programmed helper to robot full of emotional understanding. Nyong’o’s voice acting makes Roz such a calming and approachable presence, clearing the way for the animals to overcome their apprehensions and accept Roz among them.

The relationships at the core of the movie are deep and impactful.

Yet, they are easy to comprehend for younger audiences. In addition, the film’s themes will be understood by kids and appreciated by adults. It finds the perfect balance in being both approachable and profound, and the fact that it’s absolutely gorgeous to look at doesn’t hurt either.

This is director Chris Sanders’ first solo animation film, having previously collaborated directing duties with Dean DeBlois on Dreamworks’ films ‘How to Train Your Dragon‘ and ‘The Croods (fun fact: Sanders is also the voice of Stitch). Sanders has a rein on emotional storytelling and an eye for great animation. ‘The Wild Robot’ isn’t taking crazy style leaps in the vein of the Spider-Verse series. However what it does really pops and has a certain unique look.

Verdict

‘The Wild Robot’ is easily one of the best-animated films of the year. It has so much heart and will have you swapping between smiling and shedding tears.