The Wild Robot movie review

MOVIE TITLE: The Wild Robot

This new feel-good animation by Dreamworks is now playing in theaters. It premiered at the Toronto International Film Festival earlier in September.

RATING: PG

LENGTH: 1 hour 41 minutes

Movie Review Mom GRADE: A

SPONSOR of Today’s movie review:

Did you know this movie was based on a New York Times bestseller?

Check out book #1 by Peter Brown with this link on Amazon to read it with your kids: https://amzn.to/3zBEYTf

IN A NUTSHELL:

This heartwarming film was directed by Academy Award nominee Christopher Sanders. The story was adapted by the director from the bestselling 3-book series of the same name, written by Peter Brown. The author explained that he got the idea after he drew a sketch of a robot in a tree, wondering what an intelligent robot would do in a wilderness.

After a shipwreck on a deserted island, a robot named Roz has to learn how to survive the harsh environment and bond with the native animals.

Already, the movie has won the “Truly Moving Picture Award” in 2024! Congratulations to the team! No doubt there will be more awards to come.

I really loved this.

TIPS FOR PARENTS:

This is perfect, family-friendly viewing for all ages.
Animal bullies
No profanity. Yay!
Some creatures are in perilous situations.

THEMES:

Parenting
Service to others
Purpose in life
Hatred toward others who aren’t like you
Instincts
Kindness
Fears and courage
Living with a disability
Tolerance
Unity
Belonging

THINGS I LIKED:

The voice talents are fantastic and include Lupita Nyong’o, Pedro Pascal, Catherine O’Hara, Bill Nighy, Mark Hamill, Ving Rhames, and Stephanie Hsu. The young actor, Kit Connor, voices the baby duck who experiences just as much of a coming-of-age journey as the wild robot does! Everyone did a terrific job.
The musical soundtrack and score by John Powell are just lovely. Several of the songs were by Maren Morris, Kris Bowers, Tony K, and Reem. I just barely finished watching the movie and am already listening to the soundtrack on Spotify. You’re going to really like it.
This film is all heart. So sweet.
The animation is adorable.
There is so much humor, both spoken and visual.
If you see this in theaters, consider the 3D glasses option for even more fun!
The character “Thunderbolt the Falcon”, voiced by Ving Rhames, was not in the original novels
Bring tissues. You just might drop a tear or two. I did.
This is the kind of movie you’ll actually want to watch again.

THINGS I DIDN’T LIKE:

The big villain doesn’t appear until Act 3.

FUNNY LINES:

“Are those your parents” – Fink the Fox says when he says two gigantic, mean-looking robots racing toward him (Pedro Pascal)
“Aggression detected. I see your problem.” – Roz (Lupita Nyong’o)
“Goslings imprint on the first thing they see, which would be you. You’re his mother now.” – Pinktail (Catherine O’Hara) “I do not have the programming.” – Roz (Lupita Nyong’o) “No one does.” – Pinktail (Catherine O’Hara)

INTERESTING LINES:

“We’re all just trying to survive, and kindness is not a survival skill.” – Fink the Fox (Pedro Pascal)
“Finishing is not the point. The process is the art.” – Paddler (Matt Berry) Beaver shaving a tree down
“From what I can see, Brightbill’s heart is bigger on the inside than it is on the outside.” – Longneck (Bill Nighy)
“You all have instincts that keep you alive, but sometimes, you must become more than you are programmed to be.” – Roz (Lupita Nyong’o)
“The processing that used to happen here is now coming more from here.” – Roz, pointing from her head to her heart (Lupita Nyong’o)