“Fly like you, not like them.” Children's films about robots are certainly not rare – see Dreams of robots, Transformers Oneand other recent examples from just this year. While DreamWorks has seen its share of franchises, adaptations, and even unfortunate misfires (Ruby Gillman as Teenage Kraken) in its lifespan, there is a good chance that after almost thirty years, The wild robot will be their masterpiece. While DreamWorks themselves are already iconic in the animation industry, it's rare to see an animated film, or almost any film, with this much heart. This wild robot works its way into the hearts of animals and viewers of all ages.
A cutting-edge robot designed to fulfill every human desire, ROZZUM Unit 7134 is taken out of its element and suddenly finds itself stranded on an island inhabited only by wildlife. Her artificial intelligence leaves her striving to achieve her goal of assistance, but every creature cowers before her alien presence. However, an unfortunate and tragic accident leaves her with only one egg…an egg which, of course, imprints on the robot, making it the first creature that needs her. One small problem: ROZZUM (later nicknamed “Roz”) has no training on the needs of a baby gosling.
“No one does it,” a busy possum mother assures Roz. “We just make it up.”
Still virtually alone on the island, Roz struggles with her limited knowledge to acquire the instincts of a mother goose. She makes an unexpected friend in the mischievous and very adorable Fink, a fox who starts out with delicate intentions but who comes to care for the baby gosling just as much as Roz. The two become parents to the gosling – naming it Brightbill, they manage to raise enough money to teach it to swim and fly in preparation for the next migration. Yet as the trio nears the end of their journey, they realize there is little they can do for the maturing goose. While he is teased by his peers, he learns a shocking truth about his “family”, radically altering their relationship in ways they may not have the chance to correct.
While featuring many light and comedic moments, the film does not shy away from the more tender part of its subject. Roz knows, deep down, that this isn't the “right” thing to do: she has a built-in function to return to headquarters herself and make everything go back to normal. But what was normal, anyway? Does she really want the strange new warmth she feels from her task to be erased from her? They may not be a traditional family, but Roz, Brightbill, and Fink are certainly becoming family along the way. Even when Brightbill begins to realize what the rest of his species thinks of his life and the origin of Roz who comes to care for him, his urge to reject them in order to fit in socially conflicts with the true love he has. 'he has for his mother. While overall uplifting, having a box of tissues on hand may be necessary.
The story is complemented by its exemplary animation. Although I've already mentioned Fink, the animation captures the entire island well. Her wildlife is certainly endearing, but it never reaches the point of being cute enough that you can't take her story seriously. Its action sequences are well done, even if they bring a certain level of PG-rated intensity to the story that was less present in the original novels. Although Roz is in danger at times and, as previously mentioned, has the potential to be a tearjerker, the overall feeling of love that radiates from the film triumphs. Not only in his powerful found family, but also in how a divided island of predators and prey can find something in common thanks to a strange robot. Many parents will likely feel a pang in their hearts as Brightbill grows and learns how he will understand the undying love that comes from his mother, no matter the circumstances.
While Roz feels something very strange for a robot – emotions – the story never decides to make her general patterns as human as something like Chobits. There is a certain comic roboticism to his nature throughout, ensuring that the film has nothing close to a human presence for almost its entire duration – but, at the same time, it seems more human than the majority of films animation coming out in a year. Roz vocally acknowledges that everything about motherhood goes against her programming – it “delayed her, damaged her, and violated her protocols, potentially voiding her warranty.” Still, Fink can interrupt the robot's speech and tell Brightbill what she really means: “She likes you very much.” »
Overall, The wild robot is an exceptional work from DreamWorks, the success of which proves to the public a sincere animation. The story is easily accessible to all ages while touching on themes of family and survival that connect with older audiences. The love between Roz, Fink, and Brightbill makes their journey even more powerful and, although sometimes emotional, uplifting.
The wild robot is currently playing in theaters across the United States and is available for digital rental and purchase.
