Shadows on the Wall | The Wild Robot

The Wild Robot

Review by Rich Cline | MUST SEE

dir-scr Chris Sanders
prd Jeff Hermann
voices Lupita Nyong'o, Pedro Pascal, Kit Connor, Bill Nighy, Catherine O'Hara, Matt Berry, Stephanie Hsu, Ving Rhames, Mark Hamill, Boone Storm, Alexandra Novelle, Raphael Alejandro
release US 27.Sep.24,
UK 18.Oct.24
24/US DreamWorks 1h42

TORONTO FILM FEST

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Infused with passion and artistry, this animated feature feels like a huge step forward, reinventing the language of animation while deepening what's possible with storytelling. Writer-director Chris Sanders and his ace team have seemingly created a living, breathing painting populated with unusually complex characters who make the humour, emotion and adventure feel hugely resonant. The story also carries a movingly urgent message about how kindness is essential to survival.

On a remote island, the robot Roz (Nyong'o) washes ashore and begins seeking her client and task. Animals are terrified of this boisterous interloper, and attack her. So she learns their languages to understand their world. Then she discovers an orphaned gosling and turns to the fox Fink (Pascal) for advice about what to do with it. Naming him Brightbill (Connor), they teach him to swim and fly so he'll be ready for the autumn migration. Although the leader of the flock Longneck (Nighty) is dubious that this under-sized young goose has what it takes.

Throughout this narrative, each character has to do something that goes beyond its programming or instincts, becoming more than they were designed to be. This empowering message is woven into the framework of the plot, characters and even the cast's wonderfully nuanced voice work. Roz's transition from an over-chirpy automaton into a passionately wild robot is gorgeously rendered by both the animators and Nyong'o. And there are also hugely involving journeys for the critters she steadily wins over with her compassion.

Visually, the filmmakers take a big swing to find something that looks fresh and original, so the movie is definitely worth seeing on the biggest screen possible, where the colours pop in visible brushstrokes while Kris Bowers' glorious score is skilfully integrated into the action. Character designs are faithful to the natural world, with witty notes that elevate personalities. So even comical side roles like Pinktail (O'Hara as a frazzled possum mum) and Paddler (Berry as a single-minded beaver) have lives of their own.

Unusually for an animated film, the story also embraces darker issues in this dog-eat-dog forest, where death is an everyday reality. And in the retro-futuristic human world, with its aggressive tech, there's a proper sense of peril that grabs the imagination. But the script never uses these things manipulatively, mixing silly humour into thrilling adventure and hard-earned emotions. It's a rare movie that both thoroughly entertains us and encourages us to follow our inner voice and achieve what we never thought possible.

themes, violence 13.Oct.24

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