Ahead of its US theatrical release,The Wild Robotis sporting an impressive 98% Rotten Tomatoes score, and there are several reasons behind why it’s achieved such an incredible feat. Starring Lupita Nyong’o, Pedro Pascal, Catherine O’Hara, and many more,The Wild Robotbrings Peter Brown’s heartfelt story about a stranded robot-turned-caretaker, Rozzum 7134 (or “Roz” for short), to life. The book trilogy’s success alone set the stage for just how impressively this movie would perform, but as it turns out, this animated adaptation truly jumps to life in a way that has earned it some immense praise.
Initially debuting with aRotten Tomatoesscore of 100%,The Wild Robothas only dropped two percentages, leaving it at a solid 98% heading into its US release weekend. In a world where theatrical movies are just starting to get back off the ground again, this is an absolutely remarkable accomplishment, especially as something that is certainly becoming more and more rare. Why, then, is itThe Wild Robotthat stands apart as a movie worthy of such a ranking, and what’s behind that missing 2%?
The Wild Robot’s Reviews Praise The Animation, Emotional Story & Themes
Beloved Tropes Are Surrounded By An Incredible Visual Experience
The Wild Robotwas always set up to boast an incredible visual experience with both the original illustrations of the books to go off of and the creative team behind it, and this is something these positive reviews are noticing and rightfully praising. As DreamWorks' last animated movie to be fully animated in-house, with the studio set to branch out to other studios for animation post-2024,The Wild Robot’s highly-praised animation is a testament to how beloved this studio’s style and craft truly is. The animation, however, is just one part of these immensely positive reviews.
Where To Watch The Wild Robot: Showtimes & Streaming Status
The Wild Robot is the latest animated movie from DreamWorks, and there are options for where to watch it in theaters or at home on streaming.
The story and its themes are, of course, a key aspect of this movie’s success in the eyes of critics. Roz’s journey of adapting to her titular “wild” environment and taking the adorable Brightbill in as her own follows the found family theme that audiences can’t get enough of - in addition to the classic lone wolf and cub trope. Another notable theme is that of adapting to change, with Roz learning how to adjust to a new environment and rediscover herself within her new circumstances, which ties together with other story threads to become one beautifully emotional story.
What Critics Don’t Like About The Wild Robot
Its Criticisms Mostly Surround Its Story Choices
In a sea of positivity, there are still pieces of feedback forThe Wild Robotthat have been offered - including that missing 2% from its Rotten Tomatoes score. Its most critical review has to do with the peak of its story, insisting that its highly emotional climactic moment arrives in the interest of making the audience cry rather than actually being earned throughout the course of the story.Other pieces of feedback also have mainly to do with the plot, in terms of it attempting to tackle more than it can between both its exposition and its biggest moments.
The Wild Robot Review: Stunning, Hilarious DreamWorks Animation Is An Instant Classic
It’s an uplifting, hilarious, gut-wrenching, and stunning animated adventure that reaffirms the power of a parent’s love.
Based on its total score, however, these problems are generally minuscule. For whatThe Wild Robotmay lack, it seems to make up for in many other areas, between its stunning visual experience to the emotional delivery ofThe Wild Robot’s star-studded voice cast. This feedback from critics solely proves the point thatThe Wild Robot, while not perfect, is likely as close to perfection as any modern animated movie can reach.
How The Wild Robot’s Rotten Tomatoes Score Compares To Other DreamWorks Animated Movies
Only One Other Stands Above It
The Wild Robotstands tall above its fellowDreamWorks movies' Rotten Tomatoes scores, aside from one other tough competitor: 2010’sHow to Train Your Dragon, which boasts a 99%. Given that the entireHow to Train Your Dragontrilogyresides within the top 10, it’s even more impressive thatThe Wild Robotis currently standing just below the first movie - and well above the other two. Only movies that are just underThe Wild Robot’s standing include 2000’sChicken Run, which is just 1% away, and 2022’sPuss in Boots: The Last Wish, with 3% standing between them.
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The Bad Guys(2022)
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Still, despite being second to another,The Wild Robotbeing in the top 10 of DreamWorks' 26-year-long run of animated movies is nothing short of immensely impressive. As the last animated movie to be produced fully in-house at DreamWorks, this makes it an even more meaningful accomplishment.The Wild Robotwill be closing out this era of DreamWorks with a resounding impact that will forever impact the studio’s legacy - and that of greater animation in general.
The Wild Robot
Cast
The Wild Robot is an animated drama film based on a series of books by Peter Brown. The adaptation is written and directed by Chris Sanders and stars Lupita Nyong’o, Pedro Pascal, and Catherine O’Hara. The Wild Robot centers on a robot named Rozzum 7134, who becomes stranded on a deserted island and the guardian of a young orphan.
