The Wild Robot (2024) Review: A Uniquely Human Story, Minus the Humans

A story about a Robot that will make you feel the entire spectrum of human emotions

The Wild Robot has been on my watchlist since its release was followed by an abundance of praise from critics and the general public alike. I couldn’t help but be intrigued by the hype. Now that I have watched the film, I am kicking myself for putting it off for even a day more than I should have. The film is not just one of the best animated films, but one of the best films to come out in the year 2024. Between the timeless themes, stunning aesthetics, and spot on voice-acting that accompanies an engaging story, The Wild Robot is a perfect movie.

We are introduced to Rozzum 7134, or “Roz” for short, (voiced by Lupita Nyong’o) who is a robot running on Artificial Intelligence. Roz becomes stranded on an island with a rich and diverse animal environment. Inevitably, she is misunderstood by the animals, who fear her and call her a “monster” though she manages to win each of them over with her zealous attempts to do good. She befriends Fink (voiced by Pedro Pascal), a sly and mischievous fox who is also an outsider on the island. Soon after, she adopts Brightbill (voiced by Kit Connor), a gosling whose family she accidentally destroys when she falls on their nest. Through her connection with her found family, she evolves into a more emotional being, capable of compassion and empathy unlike any others of her kind. 

On a technical level, The Wild Robot has some of the most beautiful animation I have seen in recent years. The film navigates through various landscapes, of sea, land, and sky with special attention to detail with the changing seasons. One of the most memorable is during the winter sequence in which Roz must rescue each animal from a powerful snowstorm and brings them to her safe, warm haven. The use of shadow and movement in this scene make it no less than a visual spectacle for the eyes. The extreme weather changes and other visual cues, such as The Golden Gate Bridge being submerged underwater, tell us that Roz is operating in a post apocalyptic world. This world is teeming with foliage, unlike the dusty and dry landscapes we generally associate with post apocalyptic landscapes. Instead, the island Roz lives on is vibrant, colorful, and bright. The choice to keep the film from falling into any kind of dread makes the viewing experience feel cozy. This warmth works to hold the earnest tone of the film as the characters do not wane in their perseverance.

There are different themes at play in The Wild Robot, there is that of love, loss, found family, purpose, motherhood, sacrifice, and self-discovery…just to name a few. The story balances each of these complex themes in a way that is accessible for children and genuinely enjoyable for adults. The voice cast in this film adds a level of sincerity to each character, so that they feel more relatable, despite being machinery or having paws. The complex nature of each character in the film lends to the film’s emotional nature. In fact, the story was so emotionally impactful and well told that halfway through The Wild Robot I started crying and basically didn’t stop until the film had ended. As someone who does not generally get emotional over film, La La Land (2017) excluded of course, the story of Roz touched my heart. 

Final Thoughts:

It is rare to find a film with no flaws, or flaws so insignificant that I would feel as though I am nitpicking, but The Wild Robot is one of those films. The Wild Robot tells a meaningful and human story, despite the lack of consequential human characters. The vocal performances of the cast elevate the emotions. The tale of Roz is not only heartwarming, but ultimately fascinating. Whether it be the gorgeous animation, or the universal themes, there is something for everyone to enjoy in The Wild Robot. I would even go as far as to propose that even the biggest cynics in your life will be shedding a tear or two by the end credits.

5/5

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Jasmine Chapatwala
Jasmine Chapatwalahttps://letterboxd.com/thecinesaint/
My childhood consisted of weekly visits to Hollywood Video and Sunday morning calls to the local movie theater to hear the showtimes for the day. It was during my sixth trip to the theater to see The Dark Knight (2008) that I realized my love of movies may not be considered "typical." This love led me to completing a bachelor's degree in media arts with a special focus in film from Montclair State University. When I'm not rambling on about movies on TikTok, I am feeding into my online shopping addiction, reading a mystery book with specifically a female lead who has a troubled past, or most likely just eating chocolate chip cookies. My Favorite Movies: Call Me By Your Name, Scream, Once Upon a Time in Hollywood, 12 Angry Men, and Almost Famous.
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The Wild Robot has been on my watchlist since its release was followed by an abundance of praise from critics and the general public alike. I couldn't help but be intrigued by the hype. Now that I have watched the film, I am kicking...The Wild Robot (2024) Review: A Uniquely Human Story, Minus the Humans