Engage the kid and reach the mom
The Wild Robot
Peacock had been advertising this movie and we kept forgetting to play it. Because we’ve been busy watching pretty cool animal shows on National Geographic. But then! After that first time, we played The Wild Robot three.nights.in.a.row.
Yes, you read that right.
Okay, the main reason was that my oldest—the one who was asking to watch it—kept falling asleep shortly after it started playing.
So that third time he finally got to see it from start to finish. And he approves.
I, on the other hand, am a lost cause. The Wild Robot is so stinkin’ good! And I need an excuse to watch it a fourth time! Haha!
It’s such a pleasant story for kiddos although there are some some pretty intense battle scenes, some fierce animals, and ruthless machine interaction.
But boy oh boy. When that robot meets that gosling for the very first time … my heart just melts away.
The movie writers were thinking about us moms, I tell you.
A mother possum has a moment when she encourages the robot (who is forced into a parental role over the baby duck). She admits that we mums don’t know what we’re doing—but that we make it up as we go. (Uhhh yes…? I get her heart and see what she’s trying to say there.)
Fink, the fox that pretends to be tough, shines during bedtime stories … and makes a profound statement about love. He says, “When you live without [love] you spend a lot of time thinking about it.” Man … that seems to sum up his untold backstory.
Fink is also the one to point out to Roz (the robot) that she has a part of her yet to be discovered … which is her heart. And despite the fact she’s a machine, might I add.
This story shows a perspective of overriding technology and defying what’s she made of—showing that she does have humanity, and that’s what makes her wild. Cuz she lets herself feel and love.
There is a part of her that willingly puts the needs/future of the gosling before herself. And as a “mom” fought to make sure Brightbill (the gosling) learned what he needed to and was prepared to join the migration.
That whole migration scene kills me in the best and worst ways. That part when Roz runs to higher ground and the leader spots her and leads Brightbill and his “v” right over her. Ugh. Pass the tissues puh-lease!
Overall the movie is so heartwarming and the end encourages the heart that regardless of artificial intelligence somehow (Roz in particular) overcame the soullessness of her creation and found the wildness inside her, filling her with the ability to truly care for another living being.
So many themes throughout the movie (that I won’t pick apart here cuz it would take forever probably). But man, oh man. What a great movie! 10/10 recommend watching with your kiddies.
Also the two songs by Maren Morris are precious! Kiss the Sky and Even When I’m Not. (I am considering what type of reel I could create with those songs… something about my kids of course…)
Elemental
This is my daughter’s favorite movie. Hands down. We play its song Steal the Show (by Lauv) on repeat one in our van on the regular.
Okay, first, the artwork is absolutely stunning. The colors, the characterization. It’s exquisite. And the themes. Each element— water, fire, wind, and earth—is so very well developed and consistent throughout. (That’s probably what I am the most impressed with.)
The story itself is also precious.
There is Ember Lumen (fire) and her family and she meets Wade Ripple and his whole family of water.
I don’t want to pick apart all the themes here but what stands out is the sweetness between the two and the undeniable true love they share.
Towards the end (and I don’t want to spoil it for anyone) but Ember’s dad was able to give his daughter something that his own father withheld from him—but regardless of that hurt he was still about to give it. That was a powerful moment.
Oh, and PSA apparently Elemental 2 is supposedly going to be made!
The Music
Another detail that both movies do so well is interlacing those theme songs in and out of the stories in such a way that gets the heart invested.
There was a time I was the nerd who listened to movie soundtracks on replay. Then for a long time I didn’t. These two films though … are showing me that some of these folks know what they’re doing. And I am here for it.
Take these movie recommendations with a grain of salt, of course.
If you watched either and loved them let me know!!
Talk to you soon!
Grace + Common Sense 
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