from the series Movie Corner
5/5 Stars
Animation/Adventure
DreamWorks Animation
By HOWARD MCQUITTER II
Although The Wild Robot may be touted as just an animation-adventure film by some people, the film is truly a grand human-interest story. Beyond the impressive visuals, the storyline itself is a remarkable piece of work that can be both intriguing to children and adults alike. The Wild Robot is based on a kids’ book by Peter Brown.
Very early in the film a robot known as 7134 (Lupita Nyong’o) accidentally crashes on an unknown and uninhabited island. The robot’s programming is jammed up and destroyed because of the crash. We soon learn the robot’s name is Roz as she wanders into uncharted territory. She sees a goose’s nest with broken eggs all except for one. Soon that egg hatches and a cute little gosling emerges. Roz adopts Brightbill (Kit Connor) and protects him from natural enemies such as seagulls, wolverines, foxes, possums, and even from other geese.
Cast: Lupita Nyong’o (Roz), Pedro Pascal (Fink), Kit Connor (Brightbill), Bill Nighy (Longneck), Stephanie Hsu (Vontra), Matt Berry (Paddler), Ving Rhames (Thunderbolt), Mark Hamill (Thorn), Catherine O’ Hara (Pinktail)
Director: Chris Sanders.
Cinematography: Chris Stover.
Original Music: Kris Bowers.
Art Direction: Ritchie Sacilioc.
Running time: 101 minutes. Rated PG.
Fink (Pedro Pascal), a fox, initially has sights on Brightbill for a meal, but is thwarted by the very protective Roz. Fink joins Roz to protect and teach Brightbill (including how to fly). Later Roz, followed by her surrogate son Brightbill, will be heroes for all the other animals on the island. Director Chris Sanders’ The Wild Robot is a tribute to motherhood, acceptance, kindness, and diligence. The voices Nyong’o, Nighy, Conner, Hsu, Hamill, Rhames, O’ Hara, and Berry are all marvelous.
Howard McQuitter II is a longtime movie critic. He has been reviewing movies for the alley since 2002.
