"The Wild Robot" An Unexcepted Bittersweet Gem (Movie Review)

The Wild Robot is the most recent DreamWorks film, and it is based on the book series of the same name by Peter Brown. The movie follows the robot, Roz, headed for a futuristic city but instead ends up stranded on an island, searching for her purpose. Along the way she begins to take care of an abandoned gosling and befriends and helps the other wild animals who call the island home. 

The heart of this film is ultimately about love and sacrifice, highlighting how these are carried out in a special way through motherhood. "I do not have the programing to be a mother," Roz tells Fink the fox when she first begins to care for the tiny gosling. "No one does. We just make it up," Fink replies. Despite mistakes and frustrations, Roz begins to find a deeper sense of purpose as she nurtures Brightbill. Eventually, this attitude of selfless giving extends to the other forest animals around her as Roz does her best to help them as well.

Through Roz, the movie highlights an important part of Catholic life: the call to love and to sacrifice as Jesus did. We find meaning in life by following his call to love others, whether that is through motherhood or not.

Another thing that struck me about this film was its boldness in embracing sad moments as part of its story. It did not pass them over or attempt to cover them up with jokes. Roz and the abandoned gosling, Brightbill, form a mother-son relationship as the robot takes on her first "mission," which entails teaching the gosling how to swim and fly. Through many ups and downs (and entertaining montages), Brightbill grows up and finally masters flight as he prepares to migrate south with the other geese.

This movie is as much for adults as it is for kids. Watching Roz raise Brightbill and then learn to let him go evokes the same feeling of a parent watching their child leave home for the first time. The child they spent so much of their life caring for has to set off on their own, and it is bittersweet. The film doesn't gloss over Roz's sadness when she has to say goodbye. It sits with it and focuses on both her joy and her tears.

Along with a sweeping musical score and animation that is rich and beautiful, The Wild Robot is a heartwarming film for all ages. Its action scenes and moments of laughter are all balanced by a sweet sadness as it does something most children's films these days are scared to do. It embraces sadness as a part of life, a part of growing up, and a part of loving and caring for others.

As I left the theater a little boy and his parents walked out in front of me. When asked what he thought about the movie the boy said, "It was a sad movie. But it was good."

I couldn't put it any better myself.