The Wild Robot — The Best DreamWorks Animation Film?

One month ago, DreamWorks Animation released The Wild Robot, an adaptation of a kids science fiction novel. This film had been receiving extremely positive reviews from critics. Now, it has become a box office success. It's being praised by everyone. People say it's definitely winning Oscar for Best Animated Feature and call it “The Best DreamWorks Film Ever”. Is all that true? Why?

“A multi-task high-tech service robot (Roz) ends up stranded on an uninhabited island. Now must adapt to nature in order to become a mother for an orphaned goose (Brightbill).”

Let's start with the art. The animation doesn’t try to be photorealistic like most of 3D animations. Instead, it adapts the 3D animation technology to the 2D animation style from the book. It has some changes regarding the charactars design, but it helps to give a new identity for the film. According to Chris Sanders (director), it was inspired by some Ghibli and classic Disney animation style and with a hand-painted aesthetic. The 3D and 2D techniques blend perfectly to create beautiful realistic landscapes in order to create and immersive experience.

Just like the animation, this story is about technology and nature joining together to create something beautiful. Also, just like its style, we see how realistically brutal the nature can be. This story is not afraid to show how violent and chaotic the nature is, but there’s beauty among all of that. The point is to understand that nature and technology are not necessarily opposites. Animals and humans struggle to survive and machines are supposed to make it easier; there is no actual reason for them not to adapt to each other. When the movie starts, we see Roz (LLupita Nyong'o) looking for a common task she is programmed for, but she only finds brutality in a place she is unwelcome or even unneeded. This machine finds purpose on a baby who could have died if it wasn’t for her. Although, can’t do it on herself, she needs to learn from others. That's why the movie is full of deep and amazingly interesting characters like Fink (Pedro Pascal); they teach and help her to raise Brightbill (Kit Connor). They give her advices, assistance and emotional support. Slowly, Roz becomes part of the island and they learn about her to become a community.

The Wild Robot (U) – The Bonington

In the other hand, the main reason why everyone has felt attached to this film is because of the mother-son relationship. Roz and Brightbill have an adorable story with all the main points: the sweet childhood, the tough adolescence, the pride of watching him grow and mature, the sadness of the — literal — empty nest and the joy of his return as an all grown man. Also the little Brightbill has his own arc. Passing from being an outcast because his upbringing, to become a brave and respected leader.

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This movie has everything to be amazing but it has even more. The music is one of the best ones of the studio, just behind the How to Train Your Dragon trilogy. The Wild Robot has two original songs: Kiss the Sky (sung by Maren Morris) and Even When I'm Not, both sung by Maren Morris, who also co-wrote them alongside many other songwriters. The main score was composed by Kris Bowers, known by scores from Green Book, and The Color Purple (2023). He's score feels as majestic as the images and perfectly translates the feelings into notes and rhythm, specially in the most emotional moments between Roz and Brighbill.

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There’s no doubt, at all. The Wild Robot is the best animated movie of the year, so far. The story, the themes, the characters and the music could not be better. It is totally understandable the audiences had loved this movie. It is still early to be call it “the best DreamWorks Animation film”. Anyway, The Wild Robot is easily among the bests of the studio alongside Shrek 1 & 2, How to Train your Dragon, Megamind, Puss in Boots: The Last Wish. What is definitely sure is that it deserves the award for Best Animated Feature.

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Dreamwork already confirmed a sequel, which will adapt the following book “The Wild Robot Escapes”. Wisely, this film faithfully adapted the first book and set all the pieces ready for the follow-up. Chris Sanders has proved himself as the one of the most valuables talents in DreamWorks Animation (as director, writer and executive producer). His previous jobs in the studio (How to Train Your Dragon 1, 2 & 3, The Croods 1 & 2) and Disney (Lilo & Stitch) has proved without a shadow of a doubt it is time for him to direct a new wonderful trilogy for DreamWorks. And we know it's going to be amazing.

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Carlos CSC
Great movie. Very good article, I give you my like! I invite you to visit my classic film article and give it a like. https://www.peliplat.com/es/article/10028884/'El-crep%C3%BAsculo-de-los-dioses',-masterpiece-of-an-irrepeatable-director.
10:24 21 November, 2024
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Alejandro Franco "Arlequin"
If you have a few minutes, I invite you to read my note: Hunter Schafer, talent without labels (Icons of Gen Z) - https://www.peliplat.com/en/article/10030548/Hunter-Schafer,-talent-without-labels
15:31 16 November, 2024
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Jorge Escalante Ruiz
Re like!!!
07:50 15 November, 2024
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Ximena Escalante
Excellent article
06:15 13 November, 2024
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Alejandro Franco "Arlequin"
I liked your article! If you have a few minutes, I invite you to read my note about how Gru helped me deal with my crisis by adopting my daughter (Thx!): https://www.peliplat.com/en/article/10028928/Everything-Gru-Taught-Me-About-Adoption-(Despicable-Me,-2010)
13:49 11 November, 2024
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