The Wild Robot

Movie: The Wild Robot

Running Time: 1:42

Nominated for: Animated Feature, Score, Sound

How I watched: AMC A List

When it had me: Lupita N'yongo

When it lost me: It didn't

What systems does it challenge: Rigid Thinking, Our programming, perhaps

Let it be marked in the official record, this is the first review I'm writing for Gluttony 2025. I try to only write early reviews when I am certain of their forthcoming nomination and this one feels like a slam dunk. There are usually only a handful of options for Animated Feature anyway, and this one is more than good enough to earn a spot.

When my children were younger, I had a much higher tolerance for "kid" movies. I looked forward to all the Disney offerings; not so anymore. I even tolerated things like Angry Birds or Boss Baby and got a few laughs out of them. I think I just appreciated any opportunity to get into the theatre and eat some popcorn. Now that those same sweet darlings are going to see Longlegs with me, I find I've lost my appetite for these silly, fun and colorful movies.

The Wild Robot looked different and I was excited to go and see a movie that surprisingly turned out to be about motherhood of all things. I mean, don't we all just understand that no one wants to hear about mom's feelings or perspectives? That's been my experience.

This movie is a beautiful journey of transformation, like real motherhood, only less brutal. A scrappy helper robot receives a new purpose upon accidentally becoming the guardian of a young gosling (not Ryan, FYI.) Through trials and tribulations she must evolve into a softer and more improvisational kind of being in order to pursue her new quest.

The whole thing is set in the Pacific Northwest and its scenery is gorgeous. There are wisecracking side characters like Catherine O'Hara as an overwhelmed opossum and Matt Barry as beaver on a mission.

It's a fun story and a nice ride to take. Only recently did I learn that the animation style of the robot morphs over the course of the film. She starts as a computer generated character and as her own evolution occurs, she gradually becomes a hand drawn character. What a beautiful touch that brings to mind the velveteen rabbit. Love may rough you up pretty hard along the way but you become more unique and real because of it. That kind of story-telling detail is sure to win Oscar votes!