MOVIE REVIEW: THE WILD ROBOT

 

Shipwrecked on a deserted island, a robot named Roz must learn to adapt to its new surroundings. Building relationships with the native animals, Roz soon develops a parental bond with an orphaned gosling.

Director: Chris Sanders

Cast: Lupita Nyong'o, Pedro Pascal, Kit Connor, Bill Nighy, Stephanie Hsu, Mark Hamill, Catherine O'Hara, Matt Berry, Ving Rhames

Release Date: September 27, 2024

Genre: Animation, Adventure, Sci-Fi

Rated PG for action/peril and thematic elements.

Runtime: 1h 42m

Review:

The Wild Robot is simplistic in its storytelling, but its eye-catching visuals and emotional punch makes it one of the most impressive, animated film from Dreamworks in a longtime.  Chris Sanders' film has a dreamlike look to it thanks to an impressionist animation style for the backgrounds and non robot characters.  Its visually impactful throughout as there's nary an inch wasted onscreen as the island vibrantly brought to life.  There's an impressive efficiency to it all as he gives you a sense of the geography as we're introduced to the colorful cast of anthropomorphized animals.  The character designs are naturalistic which serve in contrast to the shipwrecked robot at the center of the story Roz.  Her slinky arm and legs give the character a fun sense of motion, particularly as she emulates the varied wildlife she encounters.  Her large camera lens eyes paired with wonderful voice work from Lupita Nyong'o really make the character live and breathe.  Nyong'o has an ability to bring a sense of humanity and authenticity to all her performances and it serves this film as the beating heart of story.  It makes the character's emotional arch as a surrogate mother even more impactful which makes certain moments, especially in the final act, primed to elicit waterworks from even the most cynical viewer.  The supporting cast is solid, particularly Pedro Pascal, but its Nyong'o that holds it all together from start to finish.  It helps that the story is unafraid to show all aspects of the circle of life in an honest way that doesn't pander the way some animated films.  There are hints of Wall-E, especially as we are exposed the futuristic human world that exist outside of the island.  Much like that film, there's an elegance to The Wild Robot's story and overall production that set it a cut above most animated family films.  

A

Movie Reviews: MOON

Sunday, February 07, 2010
Movie Reviews: MOON
ON DVD

MOON

An astronaut miner extracting the precious moon gas that promises to reverse the Earth's energy crisis nears the end of his three-year contract, and makes an ominous discovery in this psychological sci-fi film starring Sam Rockwell and Kevin Spacey. For three long years, Sam Bell has dutifully harvested Helium 3 for Lunar, a company that claims it holds the key to solving humankind's energy crisis. As Sam's contract comes to an end, the lonely astronaut looks forward to returning to his wife and daughter down on Earth, where he will retire early and attempt to make up for lost time. His work on the Selene moon base has been enlightening -- the solitude helping him to reflect on the past and overcome some serious anger issues -- but the isolation is starting to make Sam uneasy. With only two weeks to go before he begins his journey back to Earth, Sam starts feeling strange: he's having inexplicable visions, and hearing impossible sounds. Then, when a routine extraction goes horribly awry, it becomes apparent that Lunar hasn't been entirely straightforward with Sam about their plans for replacing him. The new recruit seems strangely familiar, and before Sam returns to Earth, he will grapple with the realization that the life he has created may not be entirely his own. Up there, hundreds of thousands of miles from home, it appears that Sam's contract isn't the only thing about to expire. ~ Jason Buchanan, All Movie Guide


Cast: Sam Rockwell, Kaya Scodelario, Benedict Wong, Matt Berry, Malcolm Stewart.


Director: Duncan Jones


Release Date: ..Jun 12, 2009..


Rated R for language


Runtime: 1 hr. 37 min.


Genres: Drama, Thriller


Review:


Duncan Jones feature film debut is the type of film that makes life long science fiction fans feel all warm and fuzzy inside. Recalling Stanley Kubrick’s 2001 with its look and the ever present computer assistant, Jones creates an atmospheric and engaging film that is more about concepts and philosophical musing than the actions on screen. While 2001 is the first thing that comes to mind, its themes and ideas are closer to Solaris, the Soviet sci-fi classic. Jones eye and pacing are very measured and he allows the audience to get a sense of the silence and isolation the story’s main character is experiencing and feeling. Sam Rockwell is on full display here as the film is pretty much a stage for him to show off his entire range of talent. Rockwell is fascinating and intriguing throughout, playing the character at the start and end of his life is daunting challenge but he pulls it off with ease. Kevin Spacey provides the voice for Rockwell’s automated co star Gerty. Spacey’s monotone and disarming timber gives Gerty an artificial yet compassionate voice. That coupled with Gerty’s wide array of smileys that mimic the conversation make for an interesting counterpart to Rockwell’s character. Jones debut makes a strong impression but lacks tension or mystery throughout. The plot feels like it plays its hand a tad too early as there’s very little suspense in the final act. Personally I was left expecting a bit more from the actual story. Still its themes and questions are fascinating food for thought especially for life long science fiction fans who don’t need massive FX or invading aliens to intrigue the mind.


B+