THE WILD ROBOT, US, 2024. Voices of: Lupita Nyong’o, Pedro Pascal, Kit Connor, Bill Nighy, Stephanie Hsu, Matt Berry, Ving Rhames, Mark Hamill, Catherine O’Hara. Directed by Chris Sanders. 101 minutes. Rated PG (Mild themes and animated violence)
Fans of Peter Brown’s 2016 illustrated novel, The Wild Robot, will be delighted to see this film version. In fact, delight has been the response of audiences – and also of many critics.
We are definitely in the 21st-century with an animated family film focusing on a robot – although, Peter Brown in his detailed blog on the Internet about his writing his book over a period of eight years, has many interesting observations about origins of writing about robots as far back as the 1920s. But, to have a children’s film focusing on a robot, is very much of our times. (And these years there are many films for adults with dramatic stories about androids and humans being served and protected by them as well as stories of betrayals.)
In trying to describe the perspectives of The Wild Robot, it could be said on the one hand that the picture of nature, animals in the forests, their personalities, is in the Disney tradition, especially Bambi. On the other hand, robots, technology and artificial intelligence, is very much a contemporary perspective.
The robot Rozzum 7134, abbreviated to Roz, is voiced by Nyong’o. After a shipwreck, the stranded Roz is re-booted and has a strong sense of mission (and her repeating her promotion instructions aloud). Needless to say, the wide range of animals, all enjoyably portrayed, are fearful and do not respond well.
But, that is just the beginning. Two engaging characters emerge, a gosling bereft of family who gets the nickname Brightbill (Connor) and an engaging fox, Fink (Pascal enjoying himself) whom nobody likes but who becomes a great favourite with the audience.
There is plenty of plot. Roz teaches the gosling how to lie while looked down on by the rest of the geese; the bird migration led by the wise Longneck (Nighy); some misunderstandings, some reconciliations, and Roz finally affirmed by the animals as she is able to help them in a very cold hibernation.
And, there is more with the robots, contact with the company, some ruthless executives, wanting to control Roz. While robots have no emotions, Roz learns more and more from her animal friends, standing up for herself and for them.
The film has been written and directed by Chris Sanders, best known for The Croods series and, especially, charming action story, How to Train Your Dragon. Here he has been able to appeal to younger audiences with a great deal to interest and entertain an adult audience.
Universal
Released 19 September
Roz (Lupita Nyong’o) in DreamWorks Animation’s The Wild Robot, directed by Chris Sanders.
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