Movie Review – The Wild Robot

This film follows a robot who crashes on a remote island. Its programming tells it to help wherever needed, but it has to learn about its surroundings before it can be truly useful because the animals it tries to help think it’s there to kill them. When the robot accidentally kills a pair of birds protecting their eggs, one of the eggs hatches and believes the robot to be its mother. Together, they try to survive so the bird can migrate before winter.

The story this film tries to tell is heartwarming and endearing, even if it’s told in a way for a child to understand. Make a film about an outcast trying to fit in, and children will see themselves at school trying to do the same.

Underneath the pretty visuals, and there really is stellar imagery, are themes about not judging out of ignorance and learning what someone needs before you act. There’s even a lonely fox who wants companionship but doesn’t know how to ask for it.

This film even leans into the positive and negative effects of using artificial intelligence. AI can learn to do positive things, to love, to know the meaning of family, if given the right surroundings.

I was in tears by the end of this, both happy and sad. This is a great film to watch with your kids. The themes within are themes both adults and children can relate to.

Four out of five stars for this beautiful animated film that gave me the feels.