As a child, I was captivated by the heartwarming tales of unlikely friendships and transformations, much like the ones depicted in “The Ugly Duckling”, “Lilo & Stitch”, and more recently, “The Wild Robot“. Growing up, I found myself drawn to these stories, not just for their engaging narratives, but for the profound messages they carried about belonging, friendship, and self-discovery.
In simple terms, “The Wild Robot” is the latest film directed by Chris Sanders, who’s renowned for his work in animation. One of his most recognized works was his first movie, Disney’s “Lilo & Stitch,” from 2002. Interestingly, though “Lilo & Stitch” and “The Wild Robot” were produced by different studios, separated by 22 years, they display many similarities due to their shared director. This consistency is common among filmmakers who often incorporate recurring themes in their work. However, it’s crucial to mention that “Lilo & Stitch” was an original creation by Sanders, while “The Wild Robot” is based on a book by Peter Brown. Despite the distinct origins, both movies share many common aspects.
In a fresh take on themes found in Lilo & Stitch, The Wild Robot might be considered as a modern retelling or Sanders exploring similar ideas with a unique animated style. The main characters in both stories exhibit characteristics reminiscent of two other films by Sanders, How to Train Your Dragon and Call of the Wild. Essentially, The Wild Robot reinterprets Lilo & Stitch in the following ways:
The Importance of Found Family
The memorable line from the movie Lilo & Stitch is “‘Ohana’ refers to family, and ‘family’ means no one is left behind or forgotten.’“. This quote is one of Disney’s most enduring in their animated library and serves as the central theme for Lilo & Stitch. Similarly, it resonates with the narrative in The Wild Robot, where: In Lilo & Stitch, we see Lilo (Daveigh Chase) and her older sister Nani (Tia Carrere), who struggle with their family dynamics after losing their parents. When Stitch, an alien created for destruction, enters the picture as Lilo’s pet, he eventually becomes a kind-hearted and lovable hero, symbolizing the theme of family and unity.
As the credits rolled on this heartwarming movie, an extraordinary family had been forged. Nani, Lilo, and Stitch were joined by Jumba, the creator of Stitch himself (played brilliantly by David Ogden Stiers), Pleakley the one-eyed alien (Kevin McDonald), Nani’s companion David (Jason Scott Lee), and Agent Cobra Bubbles (Ving Rhames). It might not be your typical family setup, but as Stitch so eloquently put it, “It’s broken, but still good.
In the story, “The Wild Robot,” the main character is ROZZUM unit 7134/Roz (Lupita Nyong’o), a robot who finds herself caring for an abandoned baby goose named Brightbill (Kit Connor) following an accident. She eventually gains help from Fink (Pedro Pascal), who assists her in raising Brightbill. Over time, their small family expands to include other forest inhabitants such as Pinktail the possum (Catherine O’Hara), Paddler the beaver (Matt Berry), Thorn the bear (Mark Hamill), and Thunderbolt the falcon (Rhames reteaming with Sanders). In essence, they form a close-knit family together within the forest.
Initially, the island’s residents were wary of Roz and Brightbill due to their unique characteristics, but over time, they came to view her as a friend and accomplice. By the end of the movie, the entire island unites to shield their home, where predators and prey find unity. Roz departs the forest in a improved state, having helped establish a caring community, or, as others might put it, a family.
We Are More Than Our Programming
In both “The Wild Robot” and “Lilo & Stitch,” filmmaker Chris Sanders places sci-fi characters in natural settings, like the robotic Roz in the forested island or the alien Stitch amidst Hawaii’s lush landscapes. Both Roz and Stitch were designed with specific functions: Roz for completing tasks, while Stitch was a destructive weapon. However, as their stories unfold, they both transcend their initial programming and embark on new paths, departing from the roles society or their creators had intended for them. These films delve into the idea that these characters might have been built for a particular purpose, but they can evolve beyond their predetermined functions.
In both films, “Lilo & Stitch” and “The Wild Robot,” the theme of upbringing over inherent nature is emphasized. In “Lilo & Stitch,” Stitch was designed with a destructive purpose, yet it’s through spending time with Lilo that he learns to change his ways, implying that his environment shapes him into a better being. Similarly, in “The Wild Robot,” Brightbill may have been born as a goose, but he must learn the skills necessary for his species, like swimming and flying, demonstrating that nurture plays a crucial role in defining who someone is.
As a film enthusiast, I can’t help but notice how Roz, in this heartwarming movie, not only guides him but also underscores a profound truth: had it not been for her adoption of Brightbill after the tragic incident that claimed his mother and unborn siblings, he wouldn’t have made it. Longneck (Bill Nighy) succinctly puts it when he says, “The very action that took your family saved your life.” In essence, both Stitch and Brightbill are testaments to the power of nurture triumphing over nature.
The Ugly Duckling Connection
In simpler terms, both Lilo & Stitch and The Wild Robot share a common theme inspired by the classic tale “The Ugly Duckling” by Hans Christian Andersen. This story is about a duck that feels unwanted due to his unattractive appearance but later transforms into a beautiful swan. Similarly, the characters in Lilo & Stitch and The Wild Robot experience feelings of isolation and rejection before finding acceptance and transformation.
As a movie critic, I found an intriguing parallel between the animated film “Lilo & Stitch” and the novel-turned-movie “The Wild Robot.” Both stories delve into the theme of feeling like an outsider and ultimately finding one’s place in the world.
Unlikely Friendship
In an unusual turn of events, Roz and Brightbill, as well as Lilo and Stitch, forge friendships that seem improbable. These pairs hail from vastly distinct realms, their encounters stemming from chance incidents such as Stitch’s crash-landing on Earth or Roz inadvertently colliding with Brightbill’s mother while still an egg, leading to her death. Despite the unconventional beginnings, these events ultimately bring about a positive transformation in both sets of friends.
In contrast to How to Train Your Dragon and Call of the Wild, where human characters interact with mute animal protagonists, both Lilo & Stitch and The Wild Robot feature characters who can talk to each other. While Stitch speaks in a unique way, Lilo, Nani, and even he understand one another. Roz initially cannot communicate with animals, but through studying their sounds, she eventually learns to do so.
This idea of communication becomes key to both films, as both groups can share their desires, frustrations, and feelings easily, but it also means they can hold back. It is fitting that both films end with one character rushing to save another one from being taken away in a ship, be it Brightbill flying to save Roz from being taken back to her creators or Stitch rushing to save Lilo because Gantu thinks he grabbed Stitch instead. Brightbill and Stitch need to not only save someone they love but also tell them exactly how important they are to them.
Although created in different time periods, Chris Sanders’ movies such as “Lilo & Stitch” and “The Wild Robot” share comparable messages. While they boast unique characters, the former being hand-drawn and the latter computer animated, both explore similar themes that have endeared them to audiences of all ages. They stand out as cherished and critically acclaimed family films, capable of bringing joy to young viewers and stirring emotions in older ones.
The Wild Robot is in theaters and Lilo & Stitch is streaming on Disney+
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2024-10-06 00:31