The Wild Robot 3D Movie Review

The Wild Robot

3D Movie Review

by: Jake Jarvis


3D

The Wild Robot, like most animated films, offers a solid 3D presentation. However, it lacks the depth it could have achieved, often feeling shallow compared to its potential. Some dark scenes caused the 3D images to become muddled, affecting the overall clarity. While there were a few brief pop-out moments, many opportunities were missed, especially during scenes of flight, snow, and fire. Overall, The Wild Robot provides a decent 3D experience, but it falls short of being truly immersive. It’s not compelling enough to be considered a ‘must-watch in 3D at the theater’ kind of experience.

Final 3D Verdict: 6/10


Movie

DreamWorks Animation’s The Wild Robot is a beautifully crafted, heartfelt adaptation of Peter Brown’s beloved children’s book series. Helmed by Chris Sanders, the film blends survival adventure, poignant themes of isolation, and the connection between technology and nature into an enchanting sci-fi narrative. With its stunning visuals and a standout voice cast, this film captures the essence of a story that’s both poignant and thrilling.

At the center of the narrative is Roz, a robot voiced by the extraordinary Lupita Nyong’o, who delivers a rich performance full of nuance and emotional depth. Shipwrecked on a remote island, Roz is initially a fish out of water, or more accurately, a machine out of its element. Her (Maybe it?) is a cold, mechanical nature is juxtaposed against the vivid, vibrant wilderness around her. As Roz gradually adapts to the environment and befriends the local animals, Roz’s journey from outsider to integral part of the island’s ecosystem is both touching and thought-provoking.

The relationship Roz develops with an orphaned gosling, whom she becomes a surrogate mother to, lies at the heart of the story. Their bond serves as an emotional anchor for the film, exploring themes of family, love, and the complexity of parental roles. Kit Connor as the voice of Brightbill, the gosling, delivers a sweet and endearing performance that provides a balance of innocence and curiosity. Their dynamic offers one of the film’s most touching aspects, deepening its emotional resonance.

The ensemble voice cast is nothing short of stellar. Pedro Pascal, as the world-weary Fink the fox, brings sarcastic wit, while Bill Nighy’s gravelly tone is perfectly suited to the role of a philosophical goose, Longneck. Catherine O'Hara and Matt Berry, both in minor yet memorable roles, as a put-upon opossum and beaver, inject humor and levity, ensuring that the film doesn’t drift too far into somber territory.

Visually, The Wild Robot is a feast for the eyes. DreamWorks’ animation team brings the island to life with meticulous cinematic attention to detail, from lush forests to tranquil seascapes. The contrast between the mechanical Roz and the organic landscape is visually striking, symbolizing the broader theme of coexistence between technology and nature. The animation style borrows some influences from classic Disney and Hayao Miyazaki, which enhances the immersion in this wild, untamed world.

Chris Sanders’s direction keeps the film engaging, balancing moments of quiet introspection with thrilling set pieces. There are moments of genuine peril—predator-prey dynamics play out naturally on the island, and Roz’s efforts to protect her adopted son, Brightbill feel intense and urgent. However, these moments are tempered with enough warmth and humor to maintain the film’s family-friendly atmosphere.

 

While the film occasionally slows down, particularly in the second act where the focus shifts more toward survival and less on character interaction, it never loses its sense of wonder. The film explores philosophical questions about artificial intelligence, nature, and the meaning of life, but it does so with a gentle touch that will resonate with audiences of all ages.

Overall, The Wild Robot is a moving, visually stunning film that takes viewers on a journey of self-discovery, compassion, and the unexpected ways in which life can flourish even in the most unlikely places. DreamWorks has crafted a modern animated classic that will likely be remembered for years to come, offering a poignant story about finding humanity in the most unexpected forms.

Final Movie Verdict: 8/10



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https://www.3dor2d.com/3d-or-2d-ratingssystem/


Official Website:

https://www.thewildrobotmovie.com

© 2024 DREAMWORKS ANIMATION ALL RIGHTS RESERVED.


Transformers One 3D Movie Review

Transformers One

3D Movie Review

Movie Review by: Jacob Scarberry


3D

Based on several clips from various social media pages by RealD, this film seemed like it was going to be “more than meets the eye” in its 3D presentation. Sadly, the 3D turned out to be much more subdued than I expected. When considering the potential of 3D, I imagined constant pop-outs, with the bots aiming their weapons directly at the audience, explosions leaping off the screen, and particles hitting us in the face. Instead, we got very few pop-outs. Most of the time, when the bots are about to fire, their cannons aren’t aimed directly at the viewer, but off to the side. However, when we do get a direct view of the barrels, it’s glorious. We also occasionally see particle effects and dust entering the audience, and there’s a great shot during the climax (which would spoil the ending) that’s full of depth and visual flair—it’s simply delicious.

The depth and dimension are fantastic and feel natural, despite the film being a 3D conversion. It’s one of the better conversions in recent memory. Overall, while it’s a bit disappointing that it lacks the impactful pop-outs and immersive moments it could have easily delivered, the film’s depth makes up for most complaints from the average viewer. It’s definitely worth the extra few dollars for the 3D experience, just lower your expectations. In closing, Transformers One looks very good in 3D, but it should look amazing in 3D.

Final 3D Verdict: 7/10


Movie

It’s been nearly 40 years since the last Transformers animated movie hit theaters. 38 years is a long gap between animated Transformers films. While there have been occasional animated series or TV movies to fill the void for fans of the robotic vehicle soldiers, we’ve had a smorgasbord of live-action films since 2007, which have received middling to dismal responses from fans. Yet, that hasn’t stopped people from watching the films in theaters and buying merchandise ranging from video games to action figures and comic books. It seems fans can’t get enough, which brings us to Transformers One, an origin story about how the bots we know and love came to be.

Orion Pax (Chris Hemsworth) is a lowly miner bot who becomes best friends with fellow miner D-16 (Brian Tyree Henry), a standout in the role. Orion is always trying to be more than what he is, constantly getting into trouble by breaking into the old archives and attempting to piece together what happened to the original Prime Bots. He’s is caught, and D-16 has to save him. While working in the mines under the leadership of Elita-1 (Scarlett Johansson), a collapse occurs, and Orion is promptly demoted.

Meanwhile, Sentinel Prime (Jon Hamm), the leader of Cybertron, has been hunting for the Matrix of Leadership without success. He declares the next day a no-work holiday and orders a race to give citizens a break from worrying about the dwindling Energon resources. Orion and D-16 enter the race, despite not having transforming abilities, and they do surprisingly well. Eventually, they meet B-127 (Keegan-Michael Key) and reunite with Elita-1. The four bots learn the secrets of the past and are given the transformation cogs, needing to become “more than meets the eye.” The group works together to save their world from a traitor and fulfill their destiny.

The plot is fairly standard for an origin story, with predictable outcomes, but the journey is fun, treated with reverence for the source material, and serves as a good entry point for newcomers and long-time fans alike. The cast is solid, with Chris Hemsworth being his usual self for most of the film but shining when Orion transforms into the character we know and love (Optimus Prime). Brian Tyree Henry stands out, delivering a layered performance as a friend evolving into a leader. The rest of the cast does well, with Key as the comedic foil and Johansson as the smart, serious partner to Orion. However, Steve Buscemi feels miscast as Starscream, the leader of the High Guard. Overall, I enjoyed both the cast and the story of Transformers One.

Transformers One is a beautiful movie, though a few issues bugged me. The facial animations are a bit odd, with the mouths looking too human and not mechanical, but the film is otherwise visually stunning. The landscapes, especially the breathtaking surface world of Cybertron, are beautiful, with photorealistic shots of the sun. Kudos to ILM Animation for creating such a gorgeous film overall.

The score, composed by Brian Tyler, is typical action movie fare, with familiar beats of action, awe, comedy, and seriousness. It’s predictable and safe, like most blockbuster scores. However, the sound design is top-notch and deserves to be experienced in full surround sound (I wish my theater had Dolby Atmos to really crank up the decibels).

My main gripes with the movie are the excessive exposition dumps and the screenplay’s predictability. Written by three people, the screenplay is as serious as a PG-rated film can be. The comedy doesn’t overshadow the serious moments, and it stays mostly faithful to the animated series and Marvel Comics adaptations.

Overall, Transformers One is a very good movie. I wish it had a less predictable plot, better-handled exposition, and sharper comedic writing. But with strong visuals, great sound, respect for the source material, and a solid cast, it’s easily one of the best Transformers films to date, and I’m definitely ready for a sequel.

Final Movie Verdict: 7/10



Learn more about how we rate 3D content via the link below:

https://www.3dor2d.com/3d-or-2d-ratingssystem/


Official Website:

https://www.transformersmovie.com

©2024 Paramount Animation, a Division of Paramount Pictures. Hasbro, Transformers and all related characters are trademarks of Hasbro. ©2024 Hasbro