‘The Wild Robot’ is a touching story of finding a family and defying expectations

CEBU, Philippines — Can nature and technology work hand-in-hand for survival? That’s the concept of DreamWorks Animation’s latest film “The Wild Robot”, adapted from Peter Brown’s children’s book of the same name that is now showing in Philippine cinemas from Universal Pictures.

After a typhoon wrecks a ship carrying robots, a fully functional unit named Roz, short for ROZZUM Unit 7134 (voiced by Lupita Nyong’o), washes ashore on an island inhabited by wildlife but devoid of human life.

As Roz adjusts to this new environment, the island’s animals initially see her as a monster. However, after an accident, she finds herself caring for a gosling named Brightbill, with the help of Fink, a red fox (Pedro Pascal).

Throughout the story, we witness the unlikely family dynamic between Roz, Fink, and Brightbill as they prepare the young gosling, turned into a grown goose (Kit Connor), for migration. The island will soon be covered in snow, and the other animals must hibernate for survival.

However, Brightbill faces bullying from his fellow geese for being raised by a robot and a fox, the latter of whom has suppressed his predatory instincts.

Despite these challenges, Roz, Fink, and Brightbill form a strong bond, learning to love each other in spite of their differences. Eventually, the other animals also come to accept them.

In one pivotal scene, Roz has an epiphany: they are so much more than what they are programmed to do. The message is clear for viewers as people should not be defined by expectations or stereotypes enforced upon them. This powerful lesson should not only resonate with children, but to adults as well.

The film’s animation, a blend of hand-drawn and 3D styles, is visually stunning as every frame feels like it could be a painting on its own.

The bright colors and fluid movements remind viewers that animation is not just a visual medium but an art form — a critical reminder in a time when AI is botching the spirit of animation. It’s not just for the eyes, but also for the soul, something AI cannot replicate without the hands of skilled animators.

The film’s animation style perfectly complements its emotional storytelling, which may leave viewers tearful due to its thoughtful execution of heartfelt themes. This is no surprise given that “The Wild Robot” is directed and written by Chris Sanders, known for helming “Lilo & Stitch” and “How to Train Your Dragon.”

The voice performances are stellar. Fresh from her vulnerable performance in “A Quiet Place: Day One”, Nyong’o shines again, even in voice form, with a tender portrayal of Roz. Pascal is nearly unrecognizable as Fink, further cementing his versatility as one of Hollywood’s top actors. Kit Conner captures the essence of Brightbill, balancing the character’s naivety, kindness, angst, and determination.

In a landscape of intellectual properties that DreamWorks Animation has been adapting — with a mixed bag of hits and misses, it’s easy to forget why the studio remains one of the most successful in the animation industry. When the source material is in the hands of a talented team of storytellers, DreamWorks is capable of crafting memorable stories that set it apart from their contemporaries like Disney, Pixar, and Illumination.

With a touching narrative from Sanders, complemented by its beautiful animation, a vibrant voice cast, and universal themes of family beyond blood ties and shattering stereotypes, “The Wild Robot” is a must-see animated film of 2024 in cinemas. You may want to prepare a tissue box just in case. Four stars out of five. — (FREEMAN)