DreamWorks Animation's latest film, The Wild Robot, has made waves not just for its captivating story but also for its stunning visual artistry and emotional depth. Based on Peter Brown’s best-selling novel, the film has attracted audiences with its tale of Roz, a service robot stranded on an abandoned island, who learns to be a caretaker for Brightbill, an orphaned goose. Voiced by Lupita Nyong’o, Roz's character evolves from merely being programmed for tasks to embodying the essence of motherhood, making the story both relatable and heartwarming.
Released by Universal, The Wild Robot has exceeded expectations at the box office, raking in $144 million domestically and $325 million worldwide. Those figures signal not just commercial success but also the resonance the film has with viewers. Its performance is particularly impressive when considering the film was released amid the usual influx of sequels and established franchises, marking it as a unique achievement for non-IP based animated films.
One of the key contributors to the film's emotional storytelling is its score, composed by Kris Bowers, who has earned accolades for his work, including three Academy Award nominations for The Wild Robot alone. His song “I Could Use A Boost” effectively encapsulates poignant moments of love, loss, and the bittersweet essence of growth—emotions echoed throughout the film. During the recording of the score, the atmosphere was deeply moving, with attendees of Variety's Behind the Song noting, "there wasn't a dry eye in the room," highlighting the score's capacity to evoke powerful emotions.
Reflecting on his personal connection to the project, Bowers shared how the themes of parenting influenced his music. “My daughter was six months old when I got the call, and so I was reading the book in a weekend, mostly to her,” he recalled, adding layers of parental love and the challenges of nurturing to his musical creations.
During the composition process, Bowers sought to encapsulate feelings he experienced as a father, channeling those emotions to create the score's heartstring-tugging melodies. The main theme was inspired by Bowers picturing the moment of sending his daughter off to college, paralleling the emotional farewell between Roz and Brightbill. This connection facilitated genuine expressions of love and regret within the film’s music, underlining its themes of parental connection. “Chris reminded me...that this moment for Roz and Brightbill is very far from sweet and naive,” Bowers explained, acknowledging the gravity behind their shared experience.
Director Chris Sanders, who has previously helmed animated hits such as Lilo & Stitch and How to Train Your Dragon, emphasized the importance of emotional nuance when discussing the project. “When I dropped by DreamWorks and saw the book, I was hooked right from the first few sentences. The motherhood story at the core, the intricacies, the delicate emotional scale of the story,” said Sanders. His vision greatly steered The Wild Robot toward its impactful direction.
Notably, The Wild Robot has secured three Academy Award nominations, including Best Animated Feature, Best Score, and made history as the first DreamWorks movie nominated for Best Sound. The film's creators expressed pride in contributing to the animation industry, with Sanders saying, “Everything I’ve learned on those films, I bought to The Wild Robot.” This continued recognition places the film squarely on the map of animated history, joining the ranks of notable features with rich storytelling.
When it came to the music, Bowers took Sanders' advice to compose away from the visuals initially. “That doesn’t happen really ever, and it felt very freeing,” he recounted, allowing him to fully immerse himself in the emotional threads woven throughout the film. The result is not just background score but powerful motifs interlaced with Roz and Brightbill’s narrative, achieving near universality through its arrangements. The choir's sparse but impactful inclusion elevated the score’s emotional depth, adding layers without compromising the film's poignant message.
Such heartfelt storytelling resonates with audiences of all ages. During subsequent screenings, Bowers noted the emotional responses his music evoked, recounting, “My wife started crying watching it... My daughter asked, ‘Why are you crying? Is it because the baby bird left the mama?’” These moments highlight how The Wild Robot transcends typical animation themes, exploring relationships and emotional growth intricately.
Overall, the triumph of The Wild Robot rests not only on its stunning visuals and unique story but also on the emotional gravitas imparted through Bowers’ score. Critically and commercially, its impact has been undeniable, marking its status as one of the standout animated features of the year.
With several nominations on the table, including for the Academy Awards, the film stands as a powerful reminder of the emotional and artistic capacities of animated storytelling. It encourages audiences to reflect on the human experience through the lens of its robotic protagonist, bridging the gap between technology and the tender realities of family and love.