Robot Dreams is a charming reminder that you don't need words to tell a deep and moving story. Set in a 1980s New York City populated by anthropomorphised animals, this dialogueless film follows a lonely dog and his robot who value meaningful connections in an often hostile world. Although it is ostensibly a film about the power of friendship, at a deeper level it's really about relationships in general—especially how our empathy helps us grow as individuals, to cherish our memories, and still to accept when it's time to move on and embrace our future.
Robot Dreams is truly a movie that the whole family can enjoy. It's warm-hearted, frequently aww-inspiring, and yet it isn't afraid to confront the viewer with all the complexity of the real world. Children may delight in the adorable dog, the anteater bullies, the badass duck, the crocodile wrestling enthusiasts, or the baby bird who's just a little different, while there is so much more for adults to resonate with: from the nostalgic cultural imagery to the emotional sensitivity of the characters. Plus, the gorgeous animation style and gentle pacing add greatly to the film's ever-transcendent feel.
All in all, this is a must-see animation that owes more debt to Sylvain Chomet than to Shaun the Sheep, is more influenced by Spike Jonze's Her than it is by Disney's Zootopia, and features visual callbacks to everything from Busby Berkeley's 30s musicals to modern classics like The Big Lebowski. Most of all, however, Robot Dreams is that rare film that is both heartfelt and fun, and I'm very much hoping that director Pablo Berger makes a second foray into animation in the very near future.
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epicureanlotus
Robot Dreams is a charming reminder that you don't need words to tell a deep and moving story. Set in a 1980s New York City populated by anthropomorphised animals, this dialogueless film follows a lonely dog and his robot who value meaningful connections in an often hostile world. Although it is ostensibly a film about the power of friendship, at a deeper level it's really about relationships in general—especially how our empathy helps us grow as individuals, to cherish our memories, and still to accept when it's time to move on and embrace our future.Robot Dreams is truly a movie that the whole family can enjoy. It's warm-hearted, frequently aww-inspiring, and yet it isn't afraid to confront the viewer with all the complexity of the real world. Children may delight in the adorable dog, the anteater bullies, the badass duck, the crocodile wrestling enthusiasts, or the baby bird who's just a little different, while there is so much more for adults to resonate with: from the nostalgic cultural imagery to the emotional sensitivity of the characters. Plus, the gorgeous animation style and gentle pacing add greatly to the film's ever-transcendent feel.
All in all, this is a must-see animation that owes more debt to Sylvain Chomet than to Shaun the Sheep, is more influenced by Spike Jonze's Her than it is by Disney's Zootopia, and features visual callbacks to everything from Busby Berkeley's 30s musicals to modern classics like The Big Lebowski. Most of all, however, Robot Dreams is that rare film that is both heartfelt and fun, and I'm very much hoping that director Pablo Berger makes a second foray into animation in the very near future.