The Wild Robot

While so many contemporary animated features rely upon constant chaos in catering to short-attention spans, The Wild Robot resonates by complementing its thrills with underlying tenderness.

The rousing set pieces and agreeable balance of humor and heart should enable this charming if fish-out-of-water saga to transcend mere kiddie fare and appeal to a broader demographic.

After all, there aren’t any human characters, yet this high-spirited adventure should connect with anyone who has felt isolated or ostracized, trying to adapt and fit in.

The story begins with a bot named Rozzum 7134 (voiced by Lupita Nyong’o), or the easily digestible Roz for short, washing ashore on an island, escaping from its box, and greeting beavers and other wildlife with an eager-to-please enthusiasm.

Roz likes to chatter, but after realizing that its presence prompts fear in her new neighbors, it learns to take in its surroundings. Unsure of its purpose, Roz eventually finds companionship in an orphaned gosling, Brightbill (Kit O’Connor), in need of a mother.

Then comes a surly fox (Pedro Pascal) who warns Roz to be more guarded in the wild. “We’re all just trying to survive, and kindness is not a survival skill,” he cautions.

With Roz trying to raise Brightbill, together they gradually learn lessons of cooperation and coexistence within their wacky surrogate family. Yet there are also dangers, such as a menacing grizzly bear (Mark Hamill) with an irascible disposition concealing a softer side.

The titular android is quite a marvel of engineering and programming, remarkably nimble, resilient, self-sufficient, and intuitive. Of course, such logic is thrown out the window in a story populated entirely by anthropomorphic critters.

As directed by Chris Sanders (The Croods), the film is highlighted by crisp and colorful computer animation with meticulous background detail and dynamic designs for a delightful batch of quirky characters from various species.

The screenplay by Sanders, adapted from the acclaimed children’s books by Peter Brown, generates solid laughs from its sight gags and one-liners. Evoking sentimentality in the second half, it also conveys worthwhile messages about teamwork and acceptance, albeit with a bit of a heavy hand.

With a genuine affection for the animal kingdom and a message about the fragility of the ecosystem, The Wild Robot feels like a throwback without a hint of rust.

Rated PG, 101 minutes.