Dreamworks’ The Wild Robot is looking to be a critical success as the first reviews have dropped online. Adapted from the novel of the same name by Peter Brown, The Wild Robot follows a domestic robot who wakes up for the first time shipwrecked on a wild island. Built to serve people in their homes, Roz (Lupita Nyong’o) is forced to learn the programming for “motherhood” when a young Gosling imprints on her. Directed by Christopher Sanders, the movie has been hyped as one of this year’s best animated offerings. Even Mark Hamill (who lends his voice to the movie) praised it as something akin to the original Star Wars. And, according to the first reviews, the movie lives up to the hype.
The Wild Robot held its premiere at this year’s Toronto International Film Festival, and was met with glowing reviews from critics following the screening. The movie doesn’t yet have a Rotten Tomatoes score, but has, so far, received flawless ratings from critics, meaning a potential 100% RT rating could be in the pipeline. Rotten Tomatoes takes any review of 3 stars or higher as “positive,” meaning it’s possible for a middle of the road, 3-star film to get a 100% score. But The Wild Robot seems to be doing it the right way, as the reviews have been showering Dreamworks’ newest movie with praise.
The Wild Robot Is “Destined to Be a Classic”
“The Wild Robot is destined to be a classic,” writes Kevin L. Lee of AwardsWatch. It is common for enamored critics to lace their reviews with hyperbolic compliments. But, in the case of The Wild Robot, it is rare to read a review not containing some kind of cinephilic comparison. Alonso Duralde of The Film Verdict, proves this point, writing:
“If the story sounds like it contains the DNA of earlier films like The Iron Giant, Fly Away Home, and How to Train Your Dragon, it does, but writer-director Chris Sanders finds enough grace notes to let this story stand on its own.”
Pete Hammond of Deadline shares a similar opinion. Their review compared the movie to Steven Spielberg’s seminal E.T. “However, Wild Robot weaves its own magic and for that we can all cry tears of joy,” he writes. According to Dan Bayer of Next Best Picture, The Wild Robot is also one of those rare animated movies, which is predominantly aimed towards younger audiences, that respects anyone who watches it. They explained:
“It’s clear that everyone behind the film respects their audience, no matter their age, resulting in a movie that is superbly crafted and deeply resonant on multiple levels. The emotions felt while watching will stick with you long after it’s over.”
Alongside Nyong’o and Hamill, The Wild Robot also stars Pedro Pascal, Bill Nighy, Kit Connor, Matt Berry, Stephanie Hsu, Ving Rhames, and Catherine O’Hara. The movie is currently on the film festival circuit, ahead of its theatrical release date on September 27, 2024.
Check out the latest trailer below:
