From the irreverent humour and cultural impact of Shrek to the stunning visual artistry of The Wild Robot, DreamWorks has consistently pushed the boundaries of what animation can achieve. But while the ogre from the swamp may have stolen hearts in the early 2000s, it’s films like The Wild Robot that are redefining the studio’s legacy today.
The Wild Robot tells the story of an intelligent robot, ROZZUM unit 7134, fondly known as “Roz.”
After a shipwreck leaves her stranded on an uninhabited island, Roz, who is programmed to help and assist, must quickly learn to navigate her new environment.
Despite her mechanical nature, Roz begins to adapt to the wild, exercising restraint and understanding as she interacts with the island’s animals.
In a heartwarming twist, Roz becomes the adoptive parent of an orphaned gosling!
The stunning first trailer, released in early March, featured no dialogue, allowing the visuals to speak for themselves.
That said, the voice actors chosen for this film are nothing short of incredible.
Lupita Nyong’o voices Roz, the title character and motherly robot. She most recently starred in A Quiet Place: Day One.
Pedro Pascal lends his voice to Fink, a cunning fox. Pascal starred in The Mandalorian and The Last of Us.
Catherine O’Hara portrays Pinktail, the opossum. She’s the beloved Home Alone mom and has a role in the upcoming film Beetlejuice Beetlejuice.
Bill Nighy takes on the role of Longneck, the wise goose. Since Love Actually in 2003, Nighy has starred in numerous well-known films, including lending his voice to the animated feature Rango!
Kit Connor voices Brightbill, the adorable gosling seen in the trailer. He plays Nick in the Netflix show Heartstopper.
DreamWork’s Animation Style Update
The stunning trailers suggest that The Wild Robot’s animation will take a bold new direction.
Director Chris Sanders moves away from traditional photorealism, instead embracing a painterly style inspired by concept art sketches.
Every element, including the individual tree limbs, was painted by hand, bringing the forest to life organically and drawing the audience deeper into the story.
This choice hints at a handcrafted, emotionally rich experience that breaks free from past technological constraints. Instead, animators have direct control.
Not to mention, the vibrant use of colour in the animation pushes you to fully appreciate the intricate and unique details in each scene.
This is not Zootopia. The trailers showcase animals depicted in their natural forms, inhabiting a forest where advanced technology meets untamed nature.
Roz’s journey depicts themes of adaptation and identity. I also believe the producers and animators will offer a beautiful perspective on motherhood and how it transforms a person—or, in this case, a robot.
If the film lives up to the promise of its trailers, The Wild Robot could push the boundaries of animation, fostering a deep connection between viewers and the world on screen while symbolizing Roz’s quest for belonging.
Sander’s eye-catching style has the potential to take DreamWorks Animation to the next level, already generating a lot of buzz from just short clips.
Shrek
When Shrek burst onto the scene in 2001, it was more than just a film; it was a cultural phenomenon.
The irreverent fairy tale, with its unconventional hero and sharp humour, redefined animated storytelling and solidified DreamWorks Animation’s place in the industry.
The animation style took a hybrid approach, blending computer-generated imagery (CGI) and traditional hand-drawn animation.
Shrek’s success wasn’t merely in its box office numbers but in how it broke away from traditional animation tropes, offering a fresh, satirical take on classic fairy tales.
And just when we all thought it couldn’t get any better, along came Shrek 2. Arguably the most lovable in the franchise, it also became the highest-grossing film of 2004.
Shrek 2 had “more detail, richness, and lighting bounce”, which led to the creation of the iconic “I Need a Hero” scene, a personal favourite of mine.
Check it out!
As beloved as these movies are by millennials and Generation Z, animation has evolved significantly since the early 2000s, and the difference between Shrek and The Wild Robot is as clear as night and day.
With Shrek 5 set to hit theatres in 2026, it will be interesting to see what direction DreamWorks will take with it.
Puss in Boots: The Last Wish
Following the immense popularity of the Shrek franchise, the swashbuckling feline Puss in Boots has continued to captivate audiences in his own series of adventures.
In Puss in Boots: The Last Wish, the ‘fearless’ cat faces a new challenge: having used up eight of his nine lives, he embarks on a quest to restore them, confronting the fragility of existence and the meaning of true heroism.
The film combines dynamic animation with intricate, whimsical design, drawing viewers into a richly detailed world.
The animation team was committed to their craft with fluid action sequences and expressive character animations.
As DreamWorks expands its universe with each new release, Puss in Boots: The Last Wish underlines the studio’s creativity and dedication to crafting engaging, multi-dimensional stories.
While both films feature an artistic, hand-painted look, Puss in Boots: The Last Wish embraces fairy-tale charm, whereas The Wild Robot strikes a balance between realism and creativity.
The Wild Robot adopts this painterly style wholeheartedly, while Puss in Boots only dipped its toes into its potential. This just shows how big The Wild Robot could be when it comes out!
Kung Fu Panda 4
Kung Fu Panda 4 is the fourth instalment of the Kung Fu Panda franchise that started back in 2008.
The film follows Po, who must find and train his successor as the new Dragon Warrior. He teams up with fox bandit Zhen to defeat the evil sorceress The Chameleon, who plans to steal the kung-fu abilities of all masters in China.
Delving into themes of repentance, forgiveness, trust, and selflessness, director Mike Mitchell describes Kung Fu Panda 4 as a love letter to the first film.
The goal was to build on the legacy of Po and the iconic villains that have defined the franchise.
Kung Fu Panda 4 introduces a visually captivating animation style that stands out.
Mitchell’s groundbreaking use of the “Go-Pro” camera movement immerses viewers into Po’s point of view during action scenes, adding dynamism and intensity.
The film also adds brush strokes and ‘paint splashes’. However, The Wild Robot uses loose, colourful strokes that evoke emotion and energy, setting it apart from the polished, martial arts-focused look of Kung Fu Panda 4.
When can I see The Wild Robot?
The Wild Robot hits theatres on September 27th, 2024.
DreamWork Animations’ recent successes, Puss in Boots: The Last Wish and Kung Fu Panda 4, show how the studio consistently raises the bar in animated storytelling.
The studio’s legacy is now being shaped by its current creations, moving beyond the nostalgic memories of Shrek.
While Shrek will always hold an iconic place in animation history, films like The Wild Robot showcase innovative storytelling and visual artistry that are redefining what DreamWorks Animation stands for today.
These new films build on past successes and ensure that DreamWorks continues to lead in animated storytelling.
Check out the trailer now.
The Wild Robot promises to be as heartwarming as it is beautiful. Releasing a first trailer with no dialogue that garnered over 13 million views on YouTube alone shows just how captivating the animation is.
The story is the icing on the cake.