Sometimes, to survive, you must become more than you were programmed to be.
Roz
Have you actually been to the movies lately? Every time I think of going, there is rarely something I want to see, let alone spend a lot of money on. I maybe go twice a year now and that might be an exaggeration. So it’s exciting when you ask your kid about a movie you want to see, and they also want to see it (without bribery). The movie I am speaking of is The Wild Robot.
This movie combines humour, heart, and stunning visuals and is a must-watch (especially if you have kids). This animated gem brings Peter Brown’s beloved children’s book to life in a way that’s perfect for both kids and adults. I recently watched it with my 12-year-old son, and we had a blast—especially thanks to Paddler, the hilarious beaver character.
The Story
The movie kicks off with Roz, a customer service robot who survives a shipwreck and ends up on a deserted island. Roz reminded me of every customer service agent you have ever dealt with and I think that was the point. At first, the island’s animals see her as a scary monster, but Roz slowly learns to communicate and fit in. Her journey from being just a machine to becoming a caring figure is beautifully done, especially when she adopts an orphaned gosling named Brightbill. I won’t mention how that all came to be.
Everything seems peaceful until Roz’s past comes back to haunt her. Other robots are sent to bring her back, leading to an exciting showdown. This part of the story raises an interesting question: can technology and nature coexist? Roz’s adventure gives us hope that they can. I won’t lie, it was hard to watch this and not think of our Government cutting down all the trees at the Ontario Place site.
Characters we liked
Lupita Nyong’o voices Roz, bringing warmth and depth to her character. Watching Roz transform from a programmed robot into a loving mother figure is truly heartwarming. Pedro Pascal voices Fink, adding some charm and humour that both kids and adults will enjoy. I do have to admit, I thought the name of the fox was Think the whole time.
But let’s talk about Paddler. This character steals the show with his gruff yet lovable personality. I laughed out loud a few times at this guy. His interactions with Roz highlight themes of teamwork and acceptance, making him one of our favourite parts of the movie. Side note for Curb Your Enthusiasm fans, Paddler’s voice will remind you of a zipper that won’t work, and a manuscript you have not read yet.
Visuals that wow
The animation in The Wild Robot is nothing short of breathtaking. It’s like watching a moving painting, with each scene beautifully crafted. The style reminded me of video games like the recent Zelda games, ensuring every frame adds to the story.
The music by Kris Bowers perfectly complements the visuals, enhancing emotional moments without overshadowing them.
Themes that resonate
The Wild Robot isn’t just about laughs and stunning visuals; it also dives into deeper themes like family, acceptance, and what it means to be alive. Despite being a robot, Roz shows qualities like compassion and empathy that challenge how we think about technology.
The film also explores parenthood through Roz’s relationship with Brightbill, showing the sacrifices involved in raising someone you love. It encourages us to embrace differences and work together, offering valuable lessons for both kids and adults.
My opinion
Overall, The Wild Robot is an amazing family film that offers more than just surface-level entertainment. It’s funny, heartwarming, and visually stunning—a true triumph in animated storytelling. I went into it with maybe too many expectations from reading reviews, but even with that, it was an enjoyable movie. My son said he likes when a movie makes you forget what time it is. I thought that was a cool thing for him to be aware of after the fact.
For younger kids, there were a few parts that would be categorized as scary, but in a Bambi-like way. There are plenty of jokes for the adults as well. Catherine O’Hara as Pinktail, the mom Opossum, lets it rip on how moms are feeling these days.
Whether you’re laughing at Paddler’s antics or pondering deeper questions about life and coexistence, this movie has something for everyone. Even if it’s just to be alone in the dark for 90 minutes to forget what time it is.
So grab some popcorn and enjoy this delightful adventure with your family. You won’t be disappointed.
Extra opinion
Looking past The Wild Robot and more at the movie experience as a whole.
There are far too many ads before a movie now. We used to have promo slides and silly trivia on the screen until it was time to be quiet and watch a few trailers.
Now, it’s 25 minutes of ads. I counted. From the time it said “pre-show”, there were 23 different videos to watch. Ads for Scene cards, ads for banks, ads for what the Ontario Government is up to, and even an ad for the movie we were there to see. By the time we got to the trailers, which is something I have always looked forward to, I just don’t care anymore. Play the movie.
Your popcorn is almost gone. Your excitement is gone. You are thinking about other things and overall you just feel restless. Is that the feeling you are supposed to have after spending $80 to immerse yourself in a movie? It’s so backward.
Looking at my son’s face as we see our fourth subtle promo for getting a Scene card, he’s thinking of being somewhere else.
I don’t know what the solution is, because the whole movie theatre industry is propped up on advertisements, but man, it’s a vibe killer.
As someone who mentally has to be early for things, I can’t see myself purposefully showing up 15 minutes late in hopes of missing the ads and locking right into a movie.
It’s no wonder it’s hard to get people off their phones or to pay attention at the movies when they are drowned in visuals they don’t want to see at the exact moment they are most excited to be there.
Have you seen The Wild Robot? What did you think?
