The Wild Robot: Sometimes The Best Stories are the Simplest

An exemplary example of straightforward storytelling.

It's been about a week since I watched The Wild Robot, and ever since I left that cinema screen, I haven't been able to stop thinking about how utterly amazing that movie was. It's that rare animated movie that hits all the right notes and just sings from start to finish.

The Wild Robot started as an illustrated children's book series, created and illustrated by Peter Brown. The movie adaptation follows the same story as the first book and has been lovingly brought to life by DreamWorks Animation under the guidance of director Chris Sanders, the same person behind How to Train Your Dragon and The Croods.

The Wild Robot wastes no time setting up its story, with the movie opening with Roz (ROZZUM Unit 7134) washing ashore on an uninhabited island, searching for a designated task. Soon she learns the languages of the island animals and undertakes the task of raising a young gosling (Bright Bill) alongside a wily fox (Fink), ready for the upcoming migration.

That's really all there is to it. You'll watch this peculiar family unit grow together as Roz adapts to the challenges of motherhood, as Bright Bills gears up for that fabled journey. The simplicity of the narrative keeps everything on track and the pace moving nicely whilst allowing for the emotional journey to flourish and hit those heart-warming heights. There's no runtime padding or pandering of shoehorned jokes or unneeded parallel side plots, just a laser-focused eye on this beautiful unfolding relationship dynamic.

The movie brilliantly marries everything together: the story, the gorgeous art style and its well-scored soundtrack. But what elevates this simple story is the animation style. It's as if you're watching a stunningly illustrated painting come to life at times. It's as if the studio channelled the great art direction of Puss in Boots: The Last Wish and dialled it to eleven, making every colour, character and landscape pop in such vivid and breath-taking ways.

As a result, The Wild Robot becomes a knockout of a movie for all ages. It delivers something for everyone in a way that is guaranteed to find a home with families and individuals alike. It's already left its mark on me, and I wouldn't be surprised if it left that same imprint on the younger generation, the very same way so many animated greats of the past have done with us growing up.

Too long, didn't read? In short, I loved The Wild Robot, and I just wanted to talk about it. But in (somewhat) seriousness, this movie is an excellent example of a simple story of parenthood enhanced by truly stunning visuals. It's a film that doesn't need clever twists or gimmicks to try and win people over. It's simple storytelling at its finest, one that's packed to the brim with heart and joy that you can't help but get swept along with.