Beverly Boy Reviews: The Wild Robot

Shipwrecked on a deserted island, a robot named Roz must learn to adapt to its new surroundings. Building relationships with the native animals, Roz soon develops a parental bond with an orphaned gosling.

 

Release date: September 27, 2024 (USA)



Director: Chris Sanders



Stars:
Lupita Nyong’o, Pedro Pascal, Kit Connor

Full Cast >>



Budget: 
200 million USD



Box office: $269.9 million



Distributed by: Universal Pictures


 

 


Animation, Sci-Fi


Motion Picture Rating (MPA): Rated PG for action/peril and thematic elements.


Audience Reviews

Regular Show
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"A masterful blend of emotion and artistry, The Wild Robot ranks among the year's best for its touching story of survival, community, and belonging. Stunning visuals and genuine storytelling make this a must-see for all ages."
Michael Sobczak
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"A life-affirming story with beautiful animation and a unique perspective. The Wild Robot offers a refreshing take on classic themes, brought to life by an outstanding voice cast and mesmerizing score. A modern classic for family audiences."
Amanda Dorian
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"Exceeding expectations, The Wild Robot delivers stunning visuals and clever storytelling that keeps viewers engaged from start to finish. DreamWorks has created an immersive experience that resonates deeply across ages."
That Lee4
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"Beautifully animated with heartfelt storytelling, The Wild Robot is thought-provoking but leans heavily into AI compassion, which may seem excessive. The exploration of technology's impact on nature is intriguing yet somewhat unrealistic."
Jennie Morris
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"Visually impressive but overly dark for children, The Wild Robot includes unexpected violence and language that might surprise some viewers. The animation shines, but the tone may not be suited for younger audiences."

Critic Reviews

Eddie Harrison >> film-authority.com
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Harrison praises The Wild Robot as a “sleeper hit” that delivers life lessons for kids and artistic appeal for adults alike.
Wendy Ide >> Observer (UK)
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Ide, who finds the film’s sentimental tone balanced by unexpectedly dark humor, keeping it from becoming overly maudlin.
Pamela Jahn >> The Arts Desk
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Jahn commends the film’s poignant messages, elegantly woven into slapstick-style comedy reminiscent of Looney Tunes.
Troy Ribeiro >> Free Press Journal (India)
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Ribeiro highlights the film’s vibrant visuals and detailed production, describing a world that feels alive alongside its characters.
Alistair Harkness >> Scotsman
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Harkness offers a fresh score, noting the film’s dazzling visuals but criticizing the added “treacly” speeches that overly emphasize its themes.

The Wild Robot: A New Era of Cinematic Animation

In The Wild Robot, the beloved children’s book comes to life on screen with an inventive approach that is as heartwarming as it is groundbreaking. This 2024 adaptation, helmed by an acclaimed director, expands the story’s original themes of survival and friendship in an immersive, visually captivating way. At Beverly Boy Productions, this film’s innovative production techniques offer exciting insights into the evolving art of storytelling, blending live-action elements with animated charm to create a memorable experience for audiences of all ages.

Cinematography: Captivating and Atmospheric Visuals
The cinematography in The Wild Robot embraces a naturalistic style, bringing the wilderness and its inhabitants into vivid detail. With sweeping shots of lush landscapes and close-ups of intimate moments between Roz the robot and her animal companions, the film captures the beauty of nature while juxtaposing it with Roz’s mechanical presence. The color palette, rich in earthy greens and blues, enhances the sense of wonder and discovery central to the story.

At Beverly Boy Productions, we appreciate how the cinematography enriches the story, underscoring themes of curiosity, survival, and connection. Through perspective and framing, viewers are drawn into Roz’s journey, experiencing the world from her curious, robotic viewpoint while feeling the warmth and mystery of the natural world.

Production Design: A Wilderness Alive with Detail
The production design in The Wild Robot carefully balances realism with elements of whimsy to craft an environment that feels both genuine and fantastical. The island setting, complete with intricate foliage, dynamic weather patterns, and diverse wildlife, reflects Roz’s journey of adaptation and her connection with the world around her. Thoughtful integration of real and digital elements creates an immersive atmosphere that draws viewers deeper into the narrative.

For us, this film’s commitment to authenticity in production design exemplifies the power of well-crafted environments. The seamless blend of practical effects and CGI is a reminder of how detailed settings can enrich storytelling, creating a believable yet enchanting world that fosters a genuine connection with audiences.

Camera Work: Engaging and Emotionally Resonant
The camera work in The Wild Robot reflects Roz’s journey of self-discovery, with dynamic angles and intimate close-ups that capture her innocence and growth. Action sequences are fluid and engaging, while quieter moments, like her interactions with the animals, are captured with gentle, contemplative shots. This contrast highlights Roz’s evolving perspective, mirroring the emotions she experiences in her journey.

We admire the creative camera work, as it enhances the emotional resonance of the story. The blend of wide, sweeping landscapes with close-up, personal shots invites viewers into Roz’s world, building empathy and a sense of connection with her and her surroundings.

Post-Production and Visual Effects: A Marvel of Technical Skill
The film shines in its seamless integration of CGI with live-action elements, especially in the portrayal of Roz and her animal companions. The realistic yet stylized design of the animals, combined with fluid animations, creates characters that are both expressive and believable. The sound design and a gently uplifting score enhance the film’s tone, adding emotional depth to each scene.

For Beverly Boy Productions, The Wild Robot exemplifies the importance of cohesive post-production work, where CGI, sound, and music blend harmoniously to support storytelling. The film’s meticulous approach to visual effects reflects our commitment to quality and detail, reinforcing our dedication to creating immersive content that resonates with audiences.

Final Thoughts
The Wild Robot brings new life to a cherished story, pushing the boundaries of family cinema with thoughtful cinematography, innovative production design, and masterful visual effects. This adaptation is both a technical achievement and a heartwarming tale, a testament to the power of visual storytelling.

At Beverly Boy Productions, The Wild Robot serves as an inspiring example of cinematic artistry, reminding us of the value of excellence and creativity in our work. Films like this encourage us to push boundaries and explore new techniques, enabling us to bring our clients’ visions to life with the same passion for storytelling that makes every cinematic experience unforgettable.

Voice Cast Guide

Image via Universal/Getty

Roz (Lupita Nyong’o): A Rozzum unit robot stranded on a wild island, tasked with raising a gosling, Brightbill. Nyong’o is known for 12 Years a Slave, Black Panther, and Us.

Universal/Getty

Fink the Fox (Pedro Pascal): A cunning fox who initially challenges Roz for Brightbill’s egg but later helps raise the gosling. Pascal starred in The Mandalorian, The Last of Us, and Game of Thrones.

Universal/Getty

Brightbill (Kit Connor): The gosling who imprints on Roz as his mother and learns survival with her guidance. Connor is known for Heartstopper and His Dark Materials.

 

Photo : Pinktail the Opossum

Pinktail (Catherine O’Hara): A motherly opossum with seven children. O’Hara is celebrated for Schitt’s Creek, The Nightmare Before Christmas, and Beetlejuice.

Universal/Getty Images

Longneck (Bill Nighy): A wise old goose observing Roz’s journey. Nighy is recognized for Love Actually, Pirates of the Caribbean, and Harry Potter.

Universal/Getty Images

Vontra (Stephanie Hsu): A retrieval robot. Hsu appeared in Everything Everywhere All At Once and The Marvelous Mrs. Maisel.

Universal/Getty

Thorn the Bear (Mark Hamill): A bear whose bark is worse than his bite. Hamill famously played Luke Skywalker and voiced the Joker in Batman: The Animated Series.

Universal/Getty

Thunderbolt (Ving Rhames): A mentor to Brightbill. Rhames is well-known for Pulp Fiction and the Mission: Impossible series.

 

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