I know I am behind on this brilliant Oscar nominated animation, but this might be my favourite cartoon movie of all time.
The Wild Robot is written and directed by Chris Sanders. (Lilo and Stitch, Croods and How to Train Your Dragon). It is an outstanding story, that is sentimental and moving without being schmaltzy.
Universal has made a cracking movie fit for all ages from the beloved book by Peter Brown.
After a shipwreck, an intelligent robot becomes stranded on a remote, uninhabited island. To adapt and survive, she forms connections with the island’s native wildlife and takes on the responsibility of caring for an orphaned baby goose, finding purpose and companionship in her unexpected new life.
Through the Robots programming to serve, it evolves into genuine feeling that includes not only love, but regret and loss.
It has an unbelievable cast, whose performances were exquisite, the script was clever and heartfelt, and the visuals are stunning.
Pedro Pascal plays a fox called Fink and he is brutally honest, kind-hearted and hilarious, he steals the whole show. The one-liners are great, especially the baby possum who delivered some laugh out loud moments.
Kit Connor plays Brightbill, the orphaned goose and was exceptional and his voice suites the character perfectly. The Robot (Roz) who was played by Lupita Nyong’o had such a soothing voice and was the beating heart of the movie.
It was surprising to me that none of the cast was in the voice booth together and bouncing off each other’s mannerisms. It is speculator how they did it all alone. Great acting. Credit to the editors and the animators too who kept the action moving and provided spectacular visuals.
It delivers themes of the universal truth of love and feeling out of place and being in a world we don’t understand, as well as letting go of the people we care about. This robot story has a grand humanist vision.
I am not surprised that it got nominated for three Oscars.