There are moments in The Wild Robot, the sumptuously imagined and mischievous animation from Dreamworks about AI and nature living together in harmony, that roar with joy and feel like a giant hug. Adapted from the books by Peter Brown, from the very start the film soars with humour and heart.
When helper robot Roz (voiced wonderfully by Lupita Nyong’o) awakens on an island inhabited only by animals, her determination to aid the gorgeously crafted creatures as they suspiciously question her intentions is an instantaneous delight. Roz’s motherly relationship with the cute and fluffy gosling Brightbill (Kit Connor) as she raises him from infancy is tenderly handled and provides the crux of the story. It is her mission to help Brightbill migrate before winter kicks in and while doing so she begins to interrogate her own existence.
Director/writer Chris Sanders had a hand in making both How to Train Your Dragon and Lilo and Stitch (who he also voiced) so the blend of sensibilities should come as no surprise to fans of those films. He injects rebellion and an endearing sense of curiosity in all the characters, apart from perhaps Bill Nighy’s Longneck bird who overdoes the verbose, sincere speeches somewhat. However, fellow fox and friend to Roz, Fink (Pedro Pascal) is a cheeky chap as is Matt Berry’s hilarious beaver Paddler. Mark Hamill, Stephanie Hsu, Ving Rhames and Catherine O’Hara make up the rest of the stellar voice cast.
The score by Kris Bowers’ is appealingly jaunty as the animals engage with the handsomely designed robot and commanding as it complements the more poignant moments where animal and machine find common ground. The main song performed by Maren Morris does land a little too much on the schmaltzy side, but the animation is so electrifyingly crafted and the perilous sequences that touch on pressing themes concerning AI and the environment so thrilling that it’s easy to forgive.
Ultimately The Wild Robot is a keeper that you’ll want to revisit and a beautiful children’s film about finding your family.
The Wild Robot was seen at the London Film Festival. It is out in cinemas on 18 October
