Directed by Chris Sanders

Is this the story of family? A warning siren for a humanity increasingly dependent on AI and robots? Just a kid’s movie about going on an adventure and finding community?

Maybe it’s all three; a simple premise from a unique perspective, presented naturally with a flow that doesn’t feel “preachy” (as many critics have labeled the past 5+ years of Disney/Pixar/DreamWorks films), lifted up by some truly gorgeous artwork.

The landscape scenes in The Wild Robot are so beautiful it can feel like falling into a painting at a museum and watching the story inside.

But the animation is more than visual, it’s critical to the story. The natural elements (from the landscapes to the animals) are fuzzy around the edges, just loosely reined in — almost like there isn’t a clear line between them and their habitat — while the robots, Roz and her creators, are crisply defined to showcase their contrast to the living world.

And as nature begins to creep in, altering the state of Roz’s robotic function, the transformation is further underscored by a physical change — green, woolly moss covering her hardware.

The cast

Lupita Nyong’o did simply incredible work as Roz. She actually formed a polyp while recording and had to go on vocal chord rest (full silence) for three months to recover.

10/10, no notes for Kit Connor. Pedro Pascal‘s work as Fink the fox ranged from insincere to sly to chipper, but generally settled on expressionless. Catherine O’Hara, despite a smaller role as Pinktail the possum, showed us once again that her ability knows no bounds.

Just for fun, here’s a 30-second clip of Mark Hamill and Pascal behind the scenes.

The plot

The “family can come from anywhere” trope is (literally) a tale as old as time — the trick is finding a new way to walk the path, and this movie does that fairly well. By pairing the natural and artificial, we’re taken on a journey of belonging and acceptance that is reminiscent of older animated movies (not unlike Chris Sander‘s Lilo and Stitch (2003), actually). This is an adventure epic, the story of parenthood, a call for community, and a solidly entertaining animated feature rolled into one.

It does knock you over the head with parenting truisms from time to time (“I can’t be a mother, I’m not programmed for it,”); but it’s more of a gentle tapping than a bashing. And there’s no denying that Roz’s journey to “parenthood” is heartwarming.

The Wild Robot tells a story that allows watchers to, on one hand, escape from the realities of the world (we all know a bear would never share winter lodging with all its summertime snacks), while on the other revel in the beauty of something truly real (like a parent giving anything for their child’s happiness). It’s deeply emotional and sentimental.

And now a message from my inner cynic: Are we not just a little freaked out by the “robots disobeying their programming to choose human emotion” narrative here? In the undertones of what is an undeniably sweet story of community, there is a whisper of commentary on Artificial Intelligence, the future of droids, and our society’s growing comfort with robotic presence. The subtle nods to a dystopian future (the Golden Gate Bridge underwater, climate controlled produce factories run by robots, the ROZZUM promo video that projects from Rummage’s head) make a statement whether they want to or not. And they did want to.

Every time I started truly giving in to the beauty of the story and meaning, I was forced to step back with the reminder that I was watching a non-human android take on the role of “mother.” And I don’t think I’m quite comfortable with the presupposition there.

Final thoughts

The Wild Robot currently has a 98% Rotten Tomatoes score, and it’s well-earned. This movie is classic enough to stay relevant for years. It’s visually beautiful, emotionally rich, and — despite some bold assumptions about the emotional potential of robots — tells the highly relatable, always welcome story of parent and child. Final thought: It’s worth a watch (or two).

This movie is good.

My rating: 4/5