As a parent who has navigated the turbulent waters of teenage years with my own offspring, I find myself deeply moved by the themes explored in “The Wild Robot“. This animated masterpiece resonates profoundly with me, not just as an adult, but as someone who has witnessed the cruelty and intolerance that can fester among young minds.
DreamWorks Animation has produced a movie that rivals the excellence of their timeless hit, How to Train Your Dragon. Titled The Wild Robot, this film exceeds all expectations and is certain to touch your heart. The story revolves around a robot created for human servitude who learns to love and becomes the caring mother of an orphaned gosling. This robot’s actions not only change her own life but also transform those of the surrounding animals as she teaches them to rise above their instincts and work together for the common good. The heartwarming conclusion may even bring a tear to your eye. Families will undoubtedly be thrilled!
As “The Wild Robot” opens, curious otters investigate a mass of debris on a secluded island. By chance, they trigger a button, awakening a Universal Dynamics ROZZUM robot. This robot, named Unit 7134 (portrayed by Lupita Nyong’o), starts functioning and expresses her dedication to assist. Once assigned a task, she diligently works towards its completion, leaving you entirely content. It’s no surprise that the otters scatter in fear as the perplexed robot examines the strange surroundings.
7134 discovers that she’s stumbled into trouble as she navigates the nearby woodland, attempting to aid the local wildlife. Along the way, she encounters hostility from larger beasts, forcing her into defense mode. It becomes clear that she needs to adjust her programming to survive in this new setting. So, she spends time studying each creature and learning their unique languages.
Fox & Friends
7134, who now understands, persists in querying if there’s anyone or anything in need of assistance. This diligence catches the attention of a cunning fox named Fink (Pedro Pascal). Noticing a potential advantage, he plans to command 7134 as his personal servant. However, his predatory instincts face an obstacle when he realizes that 7134 won’t intentionally harm or kill anything. This rule is put to the test when a mishap involving a goose’s nest finds 7134 gently holding a goose egg instead.
In the early scenes of The Wild Robot, the story sets a significant pattern by illustrating that nature is ruthless and merciless. Unlike characters in a Disney musical where animals are friendly and carefree, here they fight for survival and harm each other. The main character, 7134, or Roz as she’s later called by Fink, takes on the responsibility of ensuring an egg hatches and grows to its full potential. This involves hatching the egg, protection, feeding it, and eventually returning it to its flock, but Roz lacks understanding of maternal affection.
The Wild Robot Changes Her Programming
Chris Sanders, who is known for penning and directing films like “How to Train Your Dragon” and “The Croods”, finds himself in need of making room on his shelf. The film “The Wild Robot” appears to be the front-runner for the 2024 Best Animated Feature Film Oscar. This movie poses an intriguing question: What does it truly mean to be a mother? Sanders addresses this query through a heartwarming tale of selflessness and accomplishment. The hatchling, named Brightbill (initially voiced by Boone Storme as a child and later by Kit Connor during its adolescence), serves as the catalyst for the robot to surpass its pre-existing programming and evolve beyond it.
Roz develops maternal feelings towards Brightbill, as a mother might worry about what’s best for her child. A manual can’t help a baby live; it takes nurturing. Naturally, Roz learns to care for him. She feels a sense of pride seeing him grow under her care. He is no longer just a task to be completed; he becomes her son. And in this role, she will always be his mother.
Teaching Compassion for Others
Adolescence can be challenging. Roz and Fink’s family life gets complicated with the onset of puberty. This is where the book “The Wild Robot” proves remarkable by tackling tough topics with commendable bravery. In this story, Brightbill, being small and different, faces ridicule from other geese due to his unusual lineage as a metal monster’s offspring. The flock looks down on Brightbill because he and his family don’t conform to their idea of normalcy. Sanders paints a raw picture of prejudice, intolerance, and bullying.
Brightbill struggles to accept his upbringing due to its harsh and unkind nature, causing him to ponder if everything he knows about himself is false. It’s hard for him to believe a machine could be his mother. Are they truly outcasts who deserve rejection? However, Sanders educates children on the importance of empathy and understanding. People may not resemble us or share our experiences, but they too have feelings and are worthy of respect.
Without Fink’s assistance, Roz and Brightbill would be completely at a loss. His subplot brought to mind Nick Wilde from the equally captivating Zootopia. This cunning fox, often met with contempt and suspicion, yearned for acceptance like everyone else. As Fink’s friendship blooms with Roz, he takes on a paternal role towards Brightbill and assists in creating a flourishing community. This aspect of the film might be expected, but it remains heartwarming. Fink undergoes a transformation towards goodness and encourages other animals who question his integrity.
The Wild Robot Is a Dazzling Visual Achievement
In a future where AI has achieved rational thinking and self-solving abilities, the novel “The Wild Robot” follows the story of Roz. Unlike the Terminator, she doesn’t take up arms or enforce rule, instead adapting to motherhood. Sanders explores the possibility of a favorable outcome for machine consciousness through this character. The challenge is that Roz is a defective model and her creators value her. Universal Dynamics seek their robot back. But how did she manage to chart her own course? This leads to a potential conflict, hinting at things to come. When will humanity grapple with the situation if the robot vacuum decides to pursue other tasks besides cleaning carpets?
The Wild Robot offers a stunning visual experience. The movie boasts a captivating color scheme that perfectly portrays the picturesque island backdrop. Children will be thrilled by Roz’s nimbleness and her knack for imitating the animals she encounters. It’s hard not to feel free as she gracefully gallops like an elk through the untouched meadows, and then burst out laughing as she instructs Brightbill on swimming and flying. Every mother will leave with a warm embrace after watching this film.
I’m thrilled to share that “The Wild Robot” is a magnificent creation by the talented minds at DreamWorks Animation. Mark your calendars, as this masterpiece will be gracing our screens theatrically on September 27th, courtesy of Universal Pictures.
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2024-09-25 21:31