The Wild Robot

Chris Sanders' return to the genre brings an endearing film

Despite the animated genre having delivered some of the most original ideas during the super-hero and sequel glut of the last decades, it has slowly become part of the IP driven approach of Hollywood. It’s hard to find an animated property not driven by this IP craze. Such is the refreshing case of The Wild Robot (2024).

The Wild Robot follows the eponymous robot, Roz, (Lupita Nyong’o) who falls on an uninhabited island wilderness. Roz is a helping robot who is programmed to complete any task she is given. When she stumbles upon an orphaned goose egg, she takes it upon herself to raise it, with the unconventional help of a sly fox (Pedro Pascal).

The Wild Robot is directed by animation veteran Chris Sanders, famous for helming the likes of Lilo & Stitch (2002), How to Train Your Dragon (2010), and The Croods (2013). Sanders brings his experience to The Wild Robot in a variety of ways. He intelligently knows that animation isn’t about showing prowess at rendering or expanding the limits of his medium, but rather of utilizing his tools for storytelling. The Wild Robot takes on a nostalgic hand-drawn style that is endearing and unpretentious. The film also doesn’t preoccupy itself with flashy edits or effects, but has a rather settled and patient atmosphere, which doesn’t overstimulate viewers. This not only helps the film focus on its story, but also lets its characters breathe.

The Wild Robot is a story about parenthood, with Roz initially unprepared and feeling unequipped about how to raise a baby goose, only to learn that parenting is about learning on the way, and doing the best you can. The film illustrates funny and emotional parenting situations, without becoming redundant. Once a sequence about the patience toddlers require is illustrated, the film moves on to the next stage. This helps The Wild Robot keep a tight pace, allowing viewers to focus less on the message and more on the character journey.

The compactness and organic nature of how the plot unfolds is another of the film’s great achievements. Roz has a subtle and incrementalist arc that nevertheless is an impressive transformation as a character, when we compare her from beginning to end. There isn’t a single point in the film when viewers feel like The Wild Robot takes a leap or an acceleration to advance its character unnaturally.

The voice-cast is stacked with veterans, yet their work is performed so nonchalantly, you would be forgiven for being startled realizing who voiced who. Nyong’o is delicate and calculated as Roz, yet transforms her intonation ever so slightly as the film goes on. Pascal likewise sells the arrogant fox’s transformation into having a heart of gold. Supporting voices of the likes of Bill Nighy and Matt Berry are welcome additions that help sell even some of the films cheesier lines.

In the end, The Wild Robot is an endearing film with an emotional message on the struggles and rewards of parenting. The nostalgic direction, restraint, voice-acting, and a particularly great score from Kris Bowers, make this film the best animated film of the year so far.  

8.6/10