Writing a review for a family film can be difficult. After all, in many cases critics aren’t the audience they are meant for. The easier family films to review have a little of something for everyone, which perfectly describes The Wild Robot. It has a strong story, that isn’t too childish, with a decent mix of serious drama and laughable comedy. It’s a film that almost everyone will enjoy.

The Wild Robot tells the story of Roz (Lupita Nyong’o), a helper robot who is shipwrecked on her way to the people who purchased her. Unaware of who her owners are, Roz tries to find them. Even taking the time to learn the language of the animals who inhabit the island. She befriends a fox named Fink (Pedro Pascal) who helps her learn the ways of survival, while raising an orphaned gosling she names Brightbill (Kit Connor). After spending time with the animals of the island Roz learns that she is more than the sum of her parts and when it’s time to go home, she discovers that she doesn’t want to be anywhere other than on the island with her new friends and family.

Making the perfect family film can be difficult. After all, some can have too much depth for children to enjoy, while others can be too basic for the adults who are accompanying their children. The Wild Robot is the perfect mix. It’s a film that has heart, which is hard to find outside of a Disney film. It’s doesn’t try to be anything other than what it is either. There are no twists and turns, and the characters stay true to themselves. Yes, Roz learns about herself along the way, and there is some growth, but the characters at the end of the story are basically the same characters they were at the start. Of course, there is more to the film than just characters and plot, there is the animation itself.

Over the years Dreamworks has made a name for itself as being an alternative to Disney films. From Madagascar to Bee Movie and Shrek, Dreamworks animated films have their own style to them. Their team does everything that can to make their characters look different, and they stand out because of it. The Wild Robot continues that trend, delivering a beautiful animated film that jumps out from the screen and puts you in the thick of the forest. The voicework work is great as well. Nyong’o stays true to her Siri like voice work from start to finish, while Pascal is fiendishly delightful in his role. As with any animated feature, part of the fun is seeing how many voices you can recognize.

In the end, The Wild Robot is a perfect film to take your children to. They will enjoy themselves, and you won’t find yourself checking your watch to see when it will be over. All of you might even shed a tear or two together before it’s over.