My One Hope for DreamWorks After Being Blown Away by ‘The Wild Robot’

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For Peacock subscribers, this week brings great news! One of 2024’s top movies, “Dreamworks’ The Wild Robot,” is now streaming on your service. Although I missed it in theaters, I’ve since purchased and watched it twice. Today, I want to share one aspect of the film that has me excited about DreamWorks’ future as a longtime admirer of their animation studio.

As a person well into my late twenties, I realize I’m beyond the primary demographic for DreamWorks Animation movies, but that doesn’t diminish my deep-rooted admiration for animated films or my eagerness to catch them in theaters when something grabs my interest. Regrettably, life got in the way of watching The Wild Robot on the big screen; it was gone before I could make it there. However, now that I’ve finally watched the movie, let me share one unexpected aspect that truly impressed me.

I’ve Been Watching DreamWorks Movies My Whole Life, And I Often Have One Gripe

Prior to delving into “The Wild Robot,” let me share some reflections on Dreamworks Animation, a studio that’s been part of my life since my early childhood. Ever since I was just two years old, they’ve been creating films, and over the years, I’ve had the pleasure of watching many of them. It holds a special place in my heart because of our shared history.

Reflecting on its early years, DreamWorks produced a blend of 2D animated films such as “The Prince Of Egypt,” “The Road To El Dorado,” and “Spirit: Stallion of the Cimarron” and 3D animation movies like “Shrek,” initially releasing “Antz” and “Shark Tale.” I’m a proponent of revisiting my cherished classics every now and then to recapture the remaining fragments of childhood delight. Interestingly, I’ve observed that the 2D animated films seem to age more gracefully than their 3D counterparts in terms of visual appeal. To be honest, watching “Shark Tale” in the 2020s can feel quite unsettling nowadays due to the uncanny valley effect.

Let me clarify, Shrek and numerous other 3D films produced by that studio are timeless classics, no matter how technology evolves. However, it’s become apparent to me that DreamWorks’ signature approach as a 3D animation house sometimes appears dated when compared to contemporary works in the field, such as the Spider-Verse movies from Sony Animation. Just take a look at those films!

But, Then I Watched The Wild Robot At Home

More recently, DreamWorks has released movies such as “Kung Fu Panda 4” and “Trolls Band Together,” which align with their traditional animation style. In contrast, “The Wild Robot” showcases an artistry that sets it apart. Despite being a computer-generated film like other recent DreamWorks productions, the design of this movie left me utterly amazed for the first time in a while. This is because it presented a unique aesthetic that I hadn’t seen coming from the studio before.

The film possesses an artisanal, hand-painted aesthetic that sets it apart from most contemporary commercial animated movies. Its distinctive style reminds me of the works by Peter Brown, and it seems to elevate the viewing experience beyond what I’ve encountered in recent DreamWorks productions.

The animation not only captivated me, I find myself in agreement with TopMob’s review of “The Wild Robot,” stating it as one of DreamWorks’ finest animated films to date. With its witty, sometimes brutally funny remarks, it embodies the essence of a DreamWorks production, yet elevates itself by delivering a timeless (and contemporary) story that resonates profoundly as a metaphor for parenthood and community. Given its recognition among the 2025 Oscar nominees for Best Animated Film, I am not surprised, and believe it is truly contending for the win.

I Actually Feel Like I Missed Out On An Awesome Theatrical Experience

As an adult, I usually catch animated films from other studios but tend to postpone watching DreamWorks movies initially, preferring to watch them comfortably at home. However, after enjoying The Wild Robot on my couch, I regret not having seen it in the theater. The grandeur of the story and animation seemed best appreciated on a large screen, making it a perfect choice for an enjoyable evening out with friends or family.

This past year, seeing animation films like Moana 2 and Inside Out 2 bring success to the big screen brought a sense of satisfaction for me. However, it was The Wild Robot that truly brightened my day. This film has sparked enthusiasm about the studio’s future, as I believe they will grasp the importance of investing more time and effort into their creative process, which ultimately contributes to the lasting impact of animation as a medium. Despite not reaching the massive scale of this year’s Disney sequels, The Wild Robot managed to secure the top spot at the box office during its opening weekend, undoubtedly earning significant returns from its $324.9 million global revenue.

I Hope DreamWorks Continues To Get This Creative With Its Animation Style

Moving forward, my ardent wish for DreamWorks is that they build upon the foundation laid by “The Wild Robot”. It’s been a while since a studio production stirred me so deeply and seemed universally appealing, catering to all age groups. The success of this project underscores the significance of the effort invested in it by resonating with viewers like myself.

Moving ahead, I don’t find any new movie from the studio that aligns with my preferences just yet – given their focus seems to be on sequels such as “The Bad Guys 2” and “Shrek 5”. Nevertheless, I am keeping a keen eye on their future projects following “The Wild Robot”, as it brought me immense pleasure.

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2025-01-27 02:38