DreamWorks’ The Wild Robot has already been lauded as an instant classic by critics, but the film now has a Rotten Tomatoes score to support such a hyperbolic statement, tying for a DreamWorks record in the process. The new movie, based on the book by Peter Brown, follows Roz (voiced by Lupita Nyong’o), a sentient robot who shipwrecks on an uninhabited island. After a young Gosling imprints on her, Roz is forced to take care of the young bird, and help it mature in order to migrate with the rest of its species. The first trailer for The Wild Robot wowed audiences, and the critical reception from the film festival circuit earned the movie incredible reviews.
At the time of writing, The Wild Robot sits at a near-perfect 99% on Rotten Tomatoes. As well as receiving praise for its animation, characters, and story, The Wild Robot has been labeled as one of DreamWorks’ best animated movies of all time. The Rotten Tomatoes score supports this, as the film is currently tied as DreamWorks’ best-reviewed film ever.The Wild Robot is tied with How to Train Your Dragon, a long-standing favorite among audiences, which also sits at 99% on Rotten Tomatoes (how can anyone hate that movie?).
In MovieWeb’s own review, critic Julian Roman predicted how well The Wild Robot would do, opening with “DreamWorks Animation just delivered their best film since the classic How to Train Your Dragon.” In the review, Roman praised everything from its heartwarming story to its hilarious characters and the absolutely stunning visuals. They wrote:
“The Wild Robot surpasses the highest expectations. Your heart will soar as a machine designed for human servitude learns how to love and becomes a doting mother to an orphaned gosling… A tear or two may be shed in a truly beautiful climax. Families are going to be overjoyed.”
Mark Hamill Gives The Wild Robot High Praise
Actors are expected to praise their new movies during press junkets and tours, even when they don’t always mean it. At San Diego Comic-Con, Mark Hamill, who lends his voice to the movie, bestowed the highest praise he could on The Wild Robot. Hamill said that the new DreamWorks film captures the same magic as the original Star Wars.
“You just have to see it. It reminds me of back in the day when I was trying to describe Star Wars to people who hadn’t seen it. It’s sumptuous. It’s emotional. It works on so many levels. The kids will love it. The whole family will love it.”
With such a hyperbolic statement, some fans naturally assumed that Mark Hamill was simply trying to promote the movie the best way he could. However, upon examining the reviews, there is a good chance that Hamill could be right. The movie is just a day away from its theatrical release, meaning audiences will soon be able to weigh in with their own opinions.
The Wild Robot
releases in theaters on September 27, 2024.