DreamWorks' Latest Film Promises Heartbreak on Par with Pixar's Best

DreamWorks is often associated with comedy rather than tragedy, but their upcoming movie, The Wild Robot, is expected to evoke strong emotions from viewers - similar to a Pixar film. In the late 1990s and early 2000s, Pixar and DreamWorks were the top players in 3D animation, each with a distinct style. While Pixar movies are known for their sincerity, sentimentality, and deeper themes, DreamWorks films are typically more zany and cartoonish.

Popular DreamWorks movies like Shrek, Madagascar, and Trolls are known for their fun and lighthearted approach, in contrast to Pixar's more emotional and thought-provoking storytelling. However, the trailer for The Wild Robot hints at a departure from the usual DreamWorks style, suggesting a shift towards a more heartfelt and impactful narrative. This upcoming film may challenge the perception that Pixar and DreamWorks are vastly different in their approach to animated movies.

DreamWorks' The Wild Robot Already Looks Emotionally Devastating

The Wild Robot’s trailer alone proves it will be a tearjerker

Roz looks around in The Wild Robot. - The Wild Robot’s trailer alone proves it will be a tearjerker - DreamWorks' The Wild Robot Already Looks Emotionally Devastating

The Wild Robot, based on Peter Brown's book of the same name, tells the story of a robot adapting to life on a deserted island. The trailer for the movie takes a unique approach by focusing on the character's journey without much dialogue. Drawing comparisons to Pixar's Wall-E, The Wild Robot promises to deliver a heartfelt and emotional experience similar to the beloved sci-fi classic.

Pixar Usually Relies On Sad Moments More Than DreamWorks

The trailer for The Wild Robot tugs at the heartstrings without a single joke. It shows the touching story of the robot finding an abandoned bird's nest, caring for the egg, raising the hatched chick, and then saying goodbye to the grown bird as it flies away with its flock. This emotional trailer is a departure from the usual style of DreamWorks, known for its humor.

DreamWorks isn’t known for its tragedy

Andy Davis looking sad in Toy Story 3. - DreamWorks isn’t known for its tragedy - Pixar Usually Relies On Sad Moments More Than DreamWorks

DreamWorks movies are not typically known for focusing on tragic stories, unlike Pixar which is known for infusing family films with emotional depth. Some underrated DreamWorks movies, such as Spirit: Stallion of the Cimarron, often get overlooked due to their unique approach compared to the studio's more popular titles like Shark Tale and Over The Hedge, which are known for their outlandish humor.

Shrek was a standout success because of its blend of crude humor and occasional heartfelt moments, a departure from the typical Pixar formula of action, drama, tragedy, and comedy. This self-aware and humorous tone can be seen in other DreamWorks films like Mr. Peabody and Sherman, Megamind, and franchises like Kung Fu Panda. While modern DreamWorks movies may not be as overtly silly as their earlier releases, they still maintain a lighter tone compared to the emotional intensity found in films like Toy Story 3 and Inside Out.

The Wild Robot Already Feels Like A Pixar Movie

Pixar's ability to tug at our heartstrings seems to have faded in their recent films. Despite facing some challenges with Disney+ releases, receiving mixed reviews, and not achieving significant box office success, Pixar has struggled to create a truly impactful emotional moment that lingers in popular culture for the past five years. The last memorable example may have been the touching farewell between Woody and Buzz in Toy Story 4.

DreamWorks’ next movie has the tone of a Pixar release

Roz surrounded by butterflies in The Wild Robot. - DreamWorks’ next movie has the tone of a Pixar release - The Wild Robot Already Feels Like A Pixar Movie

The Wild Robot's story closely resembles Wall-E in terms of themes and narrative. It also captures a sincere and touching tone similar to a Pixar movie. DreamWorks, facing challenges at the box office, made a strategic move with this film. Despite the lack of success of Ruby Gilman, Teenage Kraken, which embraced zany visuals and over-the-top humor, The Wild Robot offers a more subdued storyline as an experimental approach. DreamWorks has shown with Spirit and The Prince of Egypt that they can effectively deliver serious narratives.

The simple yet poignant plot of The Wild Robot leans more towards Pixar than traditional DreamWorks style. This shift in tone could potentially shape the studio's future projects. If The Wild Robot proves to be a hit, it may lead to DreamWorks producing more films that depart from their trademark irreverent tone and embrace emotionally impactful storytelling similar to Pixar's iconic films.

Editor's P/S:

The upcoming DreamWorks film, "The Wild Robot," is poised to challenge the traditional divide between DreamWorks and Pixar's storytelling styles. While DreamWorks has often been associated with lighthearted comedy, the trailer for "The Wild Robot" hints at a more emotional and heartfelt narrative that resembles Pixar's trademark sincerity and depth. This shift in tone suggests a departure from the zany and cartoonish approach of past DreamWorks films, potentially signaling a new era for the studio.

The emotional resonance of "The Wild Robot" is particularly striking in comparison to Pixar's recent struggles to create impactful emotional moments. Despite facing challenges with Disney+ releases and mixed reviews, Pixar has not produced a truly memorable and lingering emotional moment in the past five years. "The Wild Robot," with its poignant story and Pixar-esque tone, may fill this void and demonstrate DreamWorks' ability to deliver heartfelt and impactful storytelling on par with Pixar's iconic films. The success of "The Wild Robot" could potentially reshape DreamWorks' future projects, leading to a shift away from their trademark irreverent tone and towards more emotionally resonant storytelling.