“The Wild Robot” review and a defense of animation

As someone who goes to the cinema at least once a week, I have the privilege (and misfortune) of seeing trailers over and over and over again (I literally cannot wait for “WICKED” to come out so this specific one can leave me the hell alone). Throughout the summer, I kept seeing the trailer for “The Wild Robot” and was initially apathetic but by the third — or was it the fourth? — time I was pretty much sold. Marketing works! I finally watched the movie a couple of weeks back: I was struck by how gorgeous it looked and how animation was truly the best medium to tell this story. So, I want to spend time championing this often disrespected medium. Let’s dive in. 

“I’m not a parent but as a daughter to a mother, this film made me see her more clearly.”

“The Wild Robot” is a film about a service robot called Roz, voiced wonderfully by my fellow Kenyan Lupita Nyong'o, who is shipwrecked on an uninhabited island and must adapt to her new surroundings, build relationships with the local wildlife, and become the reluctant adoptive mother of an orphaned goose, who imprints on her (not in the “Twilight” way). I’m such a sucker for a ‘creature that was not designed to experience emotion grows to love and care for others’ trope, so this life-affirming romp about family and connection really got me. But it’s not just me: “The Wild Robot” has received glowing reviews, and is currently one of the only clear frontrunners of next year’s Academy Awards. It lived up to my expectations as heartwarming, funny, action-packed, and an all around Great Time at the Movies.

The film was directed by Chris Sanders, who has two movies in my favorite animated movies list below and is part of a list of directors that I will now watch anything they  put their names to alongside Greta Gerwig (“Barbie”, “Little Women”, “Frances Ha”), Celine Song (“Past Lives”) and Luca Guadagnino (“Challengers”, “Bones and All”). “The Wild Robot” is an incredibly refreshing take on what would otherwise be a typical ‘fish out of water’ story because it comes at it from the perspective of the parent. The protagonist of such adventures is usually a child that has to find their path in direct opposition to their parental figure, think “The Little Mermaid”, “Tangled”, “Brave”, “Moana”, “Encanto”, “Turning Red”, “Shrek”, “Kung Fu Panda” etc etc. It’s a trope so common that Disney’s penchant for killing off their heroes' parents has become infamous. You might be thinking: What about the parent-centered “Finding Nemo”? The journey of Marlin, the clownfish and father in that movie,  differs from that of Roz because Roz doesn’t plan to become a parent, seeking instead a straightforward and structured life that is upended when she is suddenly tasked with the, almost impossible, duty of keeping this creature alive. 

I’m not a parent but as a daughter to a mother, this film made me see her more clearly. I felt such empathy for the insane series of events that led to a helpless gosling (me) imprinting on her and completely upending her life, belief system and sense of identity. It reminded me of “Everything Everywhere All At Once”, which traverses space and time to weave a tale about the complicated relationship between a mother and her child. The deep, unwavering love; the sacrifices, the unintended trauma. Ultimately, “The Wild Robot” illustrated everything I love about animated features:  great style, amazing characters, witty dialogue, moving moments and an incredible ensemble voice cast, with particular standout performances by Pedro Pascal as the expectedly sly fox, Fink, and Kit Connor, of Netflix’s “Heartstopper”, as the aforementioned gosling, Brightbill.

A common misconception is that animated content is only for children. Despite the fact that many adult TV comedies are animated (“Rick and Morty”, “The Simpsons”, “Big Mouth”, “BoJack Horseman”) - and all the better for it because a live action version of “Big Mouth” would be a scarring experience for everyone involved. I frequently struggle to get my friends to watch the most recent Pixar movie despite “Elemental” being one of the best romantic comedies of recent years. Yes, to be fair, some animated films are explicitly made for younger viewers, and the worst of them don’t seem to take their audience very seriously (a shame no matter the age group). However, the medium spans a host of genres from comedy to action to romance to horror (“Coraline”, you made an enemy out of me!). Guillermo del Toro is a particular champion of animation, saying: 

“I think that the highest form of filmmaking you can obtain is animation because you control everything and at the same time you are creating. There’s a unique potential in animation.” Exhibition Magazine

When I was a teenager, to justify my Disney obsession when I was of an age that was meant to denounce it (I have kind of denounced it now but for much more grown-up reasons), I often touted this quote by Walt Disney: “I make films for the child in all of us - be it 6 or 60” and while I disagree with literally everything else about the man, I do agree with this sentiment. Animation allows for a suspension of disbelief that live action often impedes. It can travel past the bounds of realism that can bog down a story - a reminder that this is, after all, FICTION. Movies are a visual art form and what’s more visually dynamic, captivating and experimental than animation?

The Wild Robot Rating: Highly recommend

Where to watch: Cinema! 

Here's a list of some favs from the medium - tried to avoid Disney movies that have been celebrated to death but yes I do absolutely love “The Lion King” and “Tangled”. 

Ash’s Top Ten Animated Movies

* TV shows deserve a whole separate list

1. Lilo and Stitch (2002) - This movie means everything to me, the scene where Stitch says that his found family is small, broken but still good? TEARS.

2. Shark Tale (2004) - Happy 20-year anniversary to one of our greatest gangster movies. The cast alone is insane and includes Robert De Niro, Will Smith, Renee Zellweger, Angelina Jolie and MARTIN FUCKING SCORSESE. I’m sick sick sick and tired of this movie not getting its flowers because it doesn’t even show up in the Dreamworks intro ??? Anyway -  

3. How to Train Your Dragon (2010) - Toothless is a remarkable name for a dragon. 

4. Marcel the Shell with Shoes On (2021) - So silly and then all of a sudden, out of nowhere, you’re crying because of how beautiful our connection to others is.

5. Spider-Man Into the Spiderverse (2018) - THE best Spider-Man movie. 

6. The Prince of Egypt (1998) - Listen, we don’t make biblical tales like we used to and we’re worser for it because this movie holds up as not just one of the best animations, but one of the best movies.

7. Puss in Boots: The Last Wish (2022) - This movie really did not have to go as hard as it does. An existential meditation on the meaning of life and a beautiful depiction of anxiety. 

8. Princess Mononoke (1997) - The first time I watched this, I was shocked by the beheading in the first 10 minutes — I immediately sat up.

9. Fantastic Mr. Fox (2009) - If George Clooney is doing a heist, I’m watching. I’m a girl of simple pleasures.

10. The Nightmare Before Christmas (1993) - My first Christmas watch every year because it’s the natural transitional movie for November 1st.