The Wild Robot delivers a deluge of heart and gorgeous animation

As a long-time animation enthusiast who grew up with Disney classics and Pixar masterpieces, I must say that Lupita Nyong’o’s performance as Roz in “The Wild Robot” has undeniably earned a special place in my heart. The film harks back to the golden days of animation, evoking memories of timeless classics like “The Prince of Egypt,” “Lilo & Stitch,” and even the great Robin Williams’ Genie from “Aladdin.

Chris Sanders initially conceived his 2002 directorial debut, “Lilo & Stitch,” as a children’s book he wrote in the 1980s, rather than a movie. However, his aspirations in youth-oriented literature eventually waned. Instead, Sanders chose to pursue a career at Walt Disney Animation Studios. It wasn’t until decades later that this filmmaker found himself directing a project based on the same kind of text Stitch was originally intended to be introduced in.

In my gaming perspective, “The Wild Robot” isn’t merely a rehash of previous works by Sanders, as suggested by its source material from Peter Brown’s children’s book. Instead, it continues the recurring themes that have been a staple throughout this creator’s illustrious career. Titles like “Lilo & Stitch”, “How to Train Your Dragon”, and “The Croods” (plus his live-action debut, “The Call of the Wild”), all share a profound fascination with the natural world and a deep empathy towards outcast characters. Like his first two directorial ventures, “The Wild Robot” is exceptionally heartwarming.

In the screenplay by Sanders, the story opens with an advanced ROZZUM robot named Roz, resembling a circular shape, washing up onto a secluded island. Despite being designed to aid humans in high-tech environments, Roz now finds herself stranded in a technology-free and humanless landscape. As she unwittingly activates, her instinct is to carry out her intended purpose: fulfilling tasks for her owners. However, the local wildlife (such as possums, squirrels, otters, even a bear) perceive this newcomer as a terrifying ‘monster’.

On her journey through the challenging wilderness, Roz encounters a solitary goose egg. After the hatchling emerges, it forms a bond with Roz, thinking she is its mother. Now, unable to abandon this island, the rule-bound robot, assisted by cunning fox Fink (Pedro Pascal), assumes the responsibilities of a surrogate parent. Time is of the essence as the hatchling, later named Brightbill (Kit Connor), must learn to fly off the island before winter arrives. Achieving this objective with Roz and her strict adherence to her user manual may prove challenging.

2021 has been quite the year for comedies that find humor in ordinary people facing the challenges of the wilderness and encountering mischievous animals. The initial act of “The Wild Robot” cleverly echoes the humor found in “Hundreds of Beavers“, with a focus on jokes surrounding wilderness survival and the ruthless nature of the animal kingdom. It’s always amusing to overhear young animals casually discussing the specter of death lurking nearby. The same level of laughter is elicited by contrasting Roz, the robot, who lacks emotion, with the vividly emotional animals she encounters. The darker humor, such as Roz attempting to communicate with a decapitated bird or off-screen depictions of baby animals being preyed upon, adds depth and authenticity to this key aspect of the storyline. Instead of merely being told about the island’s perils, we experience them directly.

Remarkably, Sanders skillfully combines humor and emotion in the Wild Robot aspect. At first, the film amuses viewers with comical animal eating scenes, such as Fink consuming a crab. However, as the story progresses, the focus on death gives authentic weight to Brightbill’s journey. This allows the movie to use serious moments, like Roz or Brightbill being in danger, to feel real and impactful rather than just setting up jokes. The production’s unwavering sincerity is what keeps this delicate balance, a trait that would earn approval from The Great Pumpkin.

In a surprising twist, DreamWorks Animation isn’t typically associated with emotional storytelling. Instead, it’s known for movies featuring digital fish making pop culture references or snarky slugs voiced by Ryan Reynolds. However, directors Sanders and DeBlois showcased heartfelt adventure stories with How to Train Your Dragon. Now, Sanders is solo, returning DreamWorks to a more classical storytelling approach. Roz’s tale openly displays its emotional core, and the script avoids constant self-conscious jokes that might otherwise detract from this sincerity.

Instead, the story’s narrow focus allows viewers to feel the developing connection between Roz and other characters such as Brightbill and Fink. These relationships have a deep emotional impact rather than being used for outdated pop culture references. In contrast to many contemporary animated films (like Despicable Me 4), this film avoids excessive loudness, instead providing space for the primary characters to breathe. This focus on intricate and subtle details is brilliantly portrayed in Lupita Nyong’o’s exceptional vocal performance as Roz.

Initially, when Roz’s voice is heard in “The Wild Robot,” it resembles contemporary A.I. assistants like Siri or Alexa, devoid of personal touch but with a heightened degree of artificial warmth. However, as the narrative unfolds, Lupita Nyong’o subtly infuses Roz’s dialogue with signs of emotional growth, moving away from rigid programming and towards more organic expressions. This is evident in her delivery, where sentences become more fluid or she pauses to carefully select her words. These subtle nuances make Roz’s transformation all the more captivating. There’s no doubt that Lupita Nyong’o’s portrayal of Roz joins Robin Williams as The Genie, George Sanders as Shere Khan, and John C. Reilly as Wreck-It Ralph in the ranks of the greatest celebrity voice-over performances of all time.

As a passionate admirer, I must say that while the heart-wrenching narrative and outstanding voice-acting in “The Wild Robot” are undeniably captivating, it’s the stunning imagery that truly sets this film apart. Following in the footsteps of recent DreamWorks Animation productions like “The Bad Guys” and “Puss in Boots: The Last Wish,” which boldly embraced a visually striking blend of computer animation and 2D aesthetics post-“Spider-Verse,” “The Wild Robot” takes this visual style to new heights.

In contrast to the animals that are drawn with lines resembling rough pencil doodles, reminiscent of the Xerox era at Walt Disney Animation Studios, Fink’s bushy tail suggests, and Roz’s circular form stands out. This highlights the worn-out look of these creatures, which contrasts starkly with Roz’s voice being that of a woman.

Among the many commendable aspects of her design, the most notable is perhaps the decision not to provide her with a mouth. Overly anthropomorphizing digital robots can lead to some visually awkward outcomes, as the MCU’s Ultron and even the Transformers series have demonstrated through their characters with questionable facial features. Instead, The Wild Robot opts for more nuanced details, such as subtle head tilts and the positioning of arms, which offer insight into Roz’s emotions. Remarkably, the film’s animators manage to convey meaning through these small gestures, along with the voice-over performance of Lupita Nyong’o. In this way, a mouth becomes less essential for expressing emotions effectively.

In “The Wild Robot”, Chris Sanders doesn’t merely recreate the spirit of his early plans for “Lilo & Stitch”. He also creates a work that mirrors DreamWorks Animation’s very first production, “The Prince of Egypt” from 1998. Like “The Prince of Egypt”, this 2024 feature is visually stunning and unapologetic in its handling of deep emotional shifts. It might seem surprising to compare “The Wild Robot” to films like “Big Hero 6” or “The Iron Giant” given its apparent similarities, but “The Wild Robot” stands out as a unique creation due to the imaginative brilliance of Chris Sanders and the other artists involved (including Heidi Jo Gilbert, who led story development, and Kris Bowers, who composed the score). The film’s distinctive animation and genuine emotional depth reflect its distinct soul.

2024-09-26 16:15

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