‘The Wild Robot’ First Impressions: Visually Stunning, Heartfelt, And Emotional Triumph That Is Among The Year’s Best Animated Films
Reactions to Dreamworks Animation’s The Wild Robot are coming in following the film’s world premiere at the Toronto International Film Festival (TIFF) earlier today.
The reactions are easily the most enthusiastic for any major U.S. animated feature so far this year. From being called “the pinnacle of Dreamworks Animation” to “one of the best animated films I’ve seen in some time,” critics are touting it as not only the best animated film of the year, but one of the year’s best films overall.
The Wild Robot is the first animated feature directed by Chris Sanders in over a decade – he last made The Croods in 2013 – and is being favorably compared to his earlier iconic hits Lilo & Stitch and How to Train Your Dragon (both of which he directed with Dean DeBlois). His latest film marks the first time that he is solo in the director’s chair, and he also wrote the script (adapted from Peter Brown’s book of the same name).
Here’s a look at some of the effusive notices for the film that came out of its first public screening.
J Don Birnam described it as “a visual and emotional triumph. Great voice acting, hilarious—even with dark humor—in a circle of life kind of way.”
Shadan Larki said the film is “gorgeous in animation story” and added, “Full of heart and humor. One of the best animated films I’ve seen in some time. Stunning in so many ways!”
Puck’s Matthew Belloni simply called the movie is “delightful.”
Jason Osiason wrote about the film:
The Wild Robot is a remarkable standout in a strong year for animation. The story of a stranded robot as she discovers individuality, empathy, unity, community, and motherhood. Exceptionally strong second half. Lupita Nyong’o masterfully brings both complexity and warmth to the titular character, and Kris Bowers’ musical score elevates every moment of it. The animation especially feels fresh and a symphony for your eyes. Been a long time since a film’s final moments reduced me to a blubbering mess😭
Will Mavity opined:
Stunning animation, a simple but sweet story, and Kris Bowers doing a better Thomas Newman score than Thomas Newman has done recently all combine for an absolute haymaker of emotion. One of the few films to make me cry in the theater in recent memory
Next Best Picture’s Matt Neglia believes the film deserves a best picture Oscar nod in addition to winning the animated category:
The Wild Robot represents the pinnacle of DreamWorks Animation. A wondrous tale of parenthood, survival & coexistence in our natural living world. With big-hearted storytelling, plenty of laughs, phenomenal voice acting, and a beautifully epic score that captures the grandeur of Chris Sanders’ vision, it’s a crowd-pleasing & emotionally stirring story that not only deserves to win Best Animated Feature but also to be nominated for Best Picture.
Perri Nemiroff’s commented on the film:
#The WildRobot is phenomenal. STUNNING animation across the board. Every single frame is vibrant and brimming with life. And the painterly animation style so well suits the story/source material. … And in addition to Roz, every single ounce of this movie is loaded with heart. It’s an all-around beautiful story about adapting and found families, one powered by an infectious celebration of life. The Wild Robot doesn’t sugarcoat the inevitable challenges one must face when going up against change, but rather, embraces the weight of that pathos, upping the emotional impact of the film tenfold. Pedro Pascal’s character, Fink, has one particular line in the movie where you feel that big time. An achingly toughing [sic] beat that’ll likely make it one of the most unforgettable scenes of the year for me.
