The Wild Robot 4K Blu-ray Movie

Rating summary

Movie		4.5
Video		4.5
Audio		4.5
Extras		4.0
Overall		4.5

The Wild Robot 4K Blu-ray Movie Review

DreamWorks' 'The Wild Robot', adapted from the work of Peter Brown, returns to 4K UHD disc in this new Limited Edition SteelBook courtesy of Universal. Featuring the voice talents of Lupita Nyong'o ('Wicked") as the "lost" robot, ROZZUM unit 7134 ("Roz"), and Pedro Pascal ('The Last of Us') as Fink the fox, with Bill Nighy ('Shaun of the Dead'), and Mark Hamill ('Star Wars: A New Hope') in supporting roles, the film follows Roz's efforts to learn and adapt in her new environment as she cares for a young gosling named Brighbill, a task much more complicated and challenging than initially perceived. Directed by Chris Saunders ('Lilo & Stitch'), the film's 4K UHD presentation is dazzling and is accompanied by a rambunctious Dolby Atmos track, and the disc is complemented by a decent assortment of supplemental material which includes and audio commentary. A Blu-ray disc, and a Digital Code redeemable through Movies Anywhere are also included. For a discussion of the new SteelBook, please scroll down to the 'Special Features and Extras' section below.

On an unknown shore, a group of sea otters finds a strange object in a damaged crate among the rocks at the water's edge. Their playful and inquisitive nature quickly overpowers their caution and as they clamber in and around the damaged cargo, they accidentally activate something they've never encountered before. A robot. Not designed for either the environment or existence without someone to provide it with tasks (and therefore purpose) it struggles to adapt within the confines of its programming. When its efforts to be rescued by its manufacturer are stymied, it does its best to adapt to the alien environment, finally finding purpose when an accident results in it becoming the adoptive parent of an orphaned gosling. With the help of an unlikely forest creature, the pair of misfits must push past their own limitations to find what matters most and a place to belong.

The Wild Robot 4K Blu-ray Movie, Video Quality 

For an assessment of the 2160p presentation, please follow this link.

The Wild Robot 4K Blu-ray Movie, Audio Quality 

To read about the audio track that accompanies the film, please follow this link.

The Wild Robot 4K Blu-ray Movie, Special Features and Extras 

The Wild Robot: Limited Edition SteelBook 4K arrives with a glossy finish on the exterior of the case that serves to make the deep colors of the nocturnal forest scene much richer and more robust. Capturing a dramatic moment from the film, Roz, Brightbill, Fink the fox, and others race toward the viewer and are about to leap over a fallen tree as they flee for their lives. The forest creatures are rendered in rusty browns, while Roz is a battered and aged white. The bulk of the cover, however, is varying shades of nighttime blue. The film's title sits centered and just above the characters in its usual font. The SteelBook's spine is a simple black field with the film's title in its traditional font in the center. DreamWorks logo resides atop the title, and Universal's logo is at the bottom. The back cover continues the front's design and completes the forest scene. It features similar nocturnal blues, distant deep green pines, with a number of trunks of fallen trees in the foreground. Logos and copyright information are found in the lower left corner, and a product number is in the lower right.

Opening the SteelBook, the tabs on the left hold the Digital Code. On the right side, the 4K UHD disc and the Blu-ray disc are stagger-stacked, each on its own hub, with the 4K UHD disc on top. Removing all of the contents reveals a two panel image of the forest in flames. A frantic Roz runs from the fires on the left, while the barnacle geese take to the air to find safety on the right. Oranges, yellows, reds dominate, providing a sense of danger. While the film features many quiet, touching, and comedic moments, it's fitting that the SteelBook's design would focus on more dramatic and energetic moments. There are no embossed or debossed elements, and as the glossy finish shows fingerprints easily, all due care should be exercised when handling the SteelBook.

The Wild Robot 4K Blu-ray Movie, Overall Score and Recommendation 

A powerful and gripping story, The Wild Robot gets to the heart of what it is to be a parent in a manner that is as humorously disarming as it is emotionally authentic. Brought to life in dazzling fashion by beautiful animation and an exceptional voice cast, it's a film viewers of all ages can enjoy, but one in which those who either have raised or are currently raising children will find even more resonance. It's been just over a year since the film arrived on 4K UHD and Blu-ray disc. While many fans have likely already added the film to their collections, for those who have yet to do so, or those willing to double-dip for a more eye-catching packaging option, The Wild Robot: Limited Edition SteelBook 4K comes very highly recommended.