When Dreamworks entered the animation world with Antz in 1998, they were considered a competitor to Disney. Over the years, they have had various degrees of success with movies like Shrek, How To Train Your Dragon, and Kung Fu Panda, but they have never managed to capture the same magic that the mighty animation giants have. That is, until now. With Disney struggling to find that touch they used to have, Dreamworks have pushed their way through with possibly the best-animated feature this year, The Wild Robot. A beautiful, charming slice of cinematic wonderment.

Roz is an intelligent robot that finds itself stranded in a woodland. Looking for the person who ordered it without realising they were there by mistake, Roz has to learn to translate the animals that frequent the area. Things take a strange turn for Roz when it finds itself the mother of a baby duckling and having to train it life skills the way its real mother would, while at the same time being accepted by the wildlife.

Based on the book by Peter Brown, writer and director Chris Sanders, who has a solid track record in animation with Lilo and Stitch and How to Train Your Dragon, has taken a simple tale of a fish-out-of-water and turned it into a beautiful journey. Even if the plot is simple and the similarities between The Iron Giant and Wall-E are huge, it still manages to come across as incredibly original, thanks to some fantastic animation and characters that we can really care about.

The animation’s artistry is impressive in itself. The images, which look like brushstrokes from an oil painting, are mesmerising. The use of colour to create the environment is complimented with recognisable creatures while still keeping the flavour of an animated feature. One of the more impressive moments is when Roz follows a butterfly to a wall of what initially looks like flowers but soon becomes an explosion of colour as the robot interrupts the resting butterflies. It is these moments that really push this beyond the usual animation that is churned out by other companies. This is a film made with care and an understanding of visuals.

The content is sometimes quite bleak. This film deals with death face-on. It doesn’t hold back from saying that nature can be cruel and that the circle of life isn’t just a lion escaping a stampede. There are moments when the death of other animals for food is quite shocking, yet there is an element of humour behind it. There are moments when you wonder if a U certificate is acceptable, just as you did with Watership Down, but it manages to get away with it because everything else is so charming and sweet-natured. What also helps is the array of characters that Roz meets up with, from the fox Fink, the duck who becomes Roz’s surrogate child, Billbright, to the worldly-wise Longneck. Each one has distinct characteristics that we can relate to and, of course, we get emotionally involved with.

A strong voice cast helps, and this film is one of the best. Lupita Nyong’o is perfect as Roz, bringing an air of innocence to the character. Her soothing voice compliments the robot’s personality. Pedro Pascal also brings plenty of fun as Fink, the fox who initially wants the duck egg for food and becomes an essential ally to Roz, while Bill Nighy seems the only person to voice the elderly duck, Longneck. Let’s not forget the likes of Catherine O’Hara, Ving Rhames and Mark Hamill, who all supplied their vocal talents to the film.

The Wild Robot is a film to cherish. It has a heart of gold, and in these bleak times, it seems to be the perfect antidote to everything happening worldwide. Treat yourself and spend a magical few hours in the company of the most magical animals on this side of Bambi. Put your money on this winning best-animated feature at next year’s Oscars.

5 out of 5

Director: Chris Sanders

Starring: Lupita Nyong’o, Pedro Pascal, Kit Connor, Bill Nighy, Stephanie Hsu, Matt Berry, Ving Rhames, Catherine O’Hara, Mark Hamill, Boone Storm

Written by: Chris Sanders and (based on the book) Peter Brown

Running Time: 102 mins

Cert: U

Release date: 18th October 2024