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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Official Website:

https://www.thewildrobotmovie.com

© 2024 DREAMWORKS ANIMATION ALL RIGHTS RESERVED.


Despicable Me 4 3D Movie Review

Despicable Me 4 3D Movie Review

By: Jacob Scarberry

Despicable Me 4

3D

 

Illumination has done it again, releasing one of the best 3D films in quite some time and continuing a winning streak of stellar imagery in the third dimension. Not only was the depth and dimension of the picture naturally spaced and the horizon stretching to near infinity, but there were also constant pop-outs throughout the entire running time. Limbs, faces, lasers, and particle effects all came out to the audience at a regular pace that was simply shocking in how often this happened. The standout scene was in the first ten minutes of the film when villain Maxime Le Mal extends his arm towards Gru with a cockroach in his hand, and it felt like you were in danger of getting your eyes poked out, it was so close. This will probably be the best 3D visuals of 2024; it's that good. The 3D aspect of Despicable Me 4 is simply magnificent.

3D Final Verdict: 10/10 , Editor’s Choice 3D Award


Movie

Your auntie's favorite Facebook memes are back for another “movie”!

 

After Gru's last adventure in Despicable Me 3, where he teamed up with his long-lost brother Dru to stop the villainous Balthazar Bratt from destroying Hollywood, his life has stayed the same for the most part. Gru (Steve Carell) and his wife Lucy (Kristen Wiig) still work for the AVL (Anti-Villain League) and take care of their three adopted daughters along with a new child, Gru Jr., and all the Minions with their shenanigans. Gru's next mission? He is to attend his high school alma mater Lycee Pas Bon (a funny joke if you know French) and apprehend his nemesis, Maxime Le Mal (Will Ferrell), who is hellbent on using the power of the cockroach to turn Gru Jr. into a pest (how Maxime knows about Gru Jr. is never explained).

 

While initially successful in arresting Maxime, he escapes from the AVL prison with the help of his girlfriend Valentina (Sofía Vergara), and Gru and his family are placed into witness protection. Shenanigans ensue as Gru deals with new neighbors, Lucy gets a salon job, and the Minions' chaos. This all leads to Gru saving the day.

 

I remember back in 2010 (feels like VERY long time ago) being absolutely smitten with the first film in the Despicable Me franchise. Despicable Me was funny, well-animated, and quite touching in places, fully proving that Illumination has the capability of producing high-quality work on significantly smaller budgets than its competitors over at DreamWorks and Disney/Pixar. Sadly, the allure of the almighty dollar has tainted this once-promising studio (for the most part), usually delivering products made with the lowest common denominator and the highest profitability margins in mind. Despicable Me is high proof of this, with not only four films in the main franchise but also a spin-off film with its own sequel, not to mention short films, tons of merchandise, toys, and food-themed items. It's hard to review this as a "film" because it's clearly just a profit-maximizing product for Illumination, but I have to continue.

 

As for the story, there is practically none beyond loose threads of several side quests, with Gru's being the only one with anything resembling a through line. There is no depth to the characters, no growth (literally, the kids haven't aged!), and the villainous plot is rather tame and low-key compared to his previous nemeses' heinous acts of moon-napping, world domination, and city flattening. Lucy and the girls have very little to do, with the Minions providing most of the entertainment, as they have in the previous films since part two.

 

Are the Minions' shenanigans still entertaining? Sure, they're practically the saving grace, but the silly minions act is getting old, and getting old fast. The new gimmick is that the AVL has created the “Mega Minions” program that is tested in the city, and it predictably goes awry. Sadly it is the highlight of the film, but I hope this isn't a litmus test for a fully-fledged Mega Minions-based film - Ugh.

 

The animation is well-done, and there are some funny background gags that are fun to look out for. The cast is all having a blast, which reflects in every frame of the film. The soundtrack is filled with radio hits of the '80s and '90s, along with film references that no kid would get at all and are simply there for the adults to chuckle while their kid laughs at a goat pooping on the floor. It truly is a family film, and the families in my audience laughed, as did I a few times, but this is one that barely musters any enthusiasm from yours truly to see any more of this series. So, I guess I'll see you again in two – three years with Despicable Me 5: Minions 3 - The Search for More Money.

Movie Final Verdict: 5/10

Update July 6th 2024:

When we initially published this review we gave the movie a score of 6/10. The score has been updated, and lowered to a 5/10.

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We reviewed the previous Minions movies, you can see those reviews here:



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

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