Robot Dreams (2023): The Perfect, Universal “Kids” Movie

Although Pablo Berger’s Robot Dreams has no dialogue and is not produced by Disney or Pixar, I’d argue Robot Dreams is one of the best kids movies released in the past years. Robot Dreams was adapted from the graphic novels and comic by Sara Varon, based on a lonely Dog and his new Robot friend.

One way that makes this movie stand out is its passion towards Manhattan life. The animation of the background setting in most shots feels like a love letter towards New York. The trailer and film uses the song “September” by Wind, Earth, and Fire which pays homage to the 80s. It also represents the last day of summer which is referenced later in the film. Just the use of music and design choices builds an absolute charm in this movie.

The use of 2D animation is atypical now as Disney and Pixar continue to use CGI that the animation style and design of the setting feels like it was made with love and passion. You know, we don’t get to see that often in blockbuster animation. Yeah, these animated movies looked cool but that CGI and lack of authenticity and detail that is found in Robot Dreams is barely acknowledged in these movies.

Funnily enough, themes like fate between a relationship and setting like New York of Robot Dreams also correspond to another 2023 movie, Past Lives by Celine Song. If you haven’t seen Past lives yet (which you should), it’s about two childhood friends that had been friends in South Korea but separated after one immigrating to the U.S., reuniting decades later. Like Past Lives, the relationship between dog and robot is subtly complex. It’s not a love story but there’s truly a connection between how the dog goes about its day and the robot’s dreams. These two don’t even interact in half of the film. Themes of connection in relationships and how Robot Dreams decides to tackle it is so refreshing in terms of kids movies. We often see the main character staying with their main love interest but oftentimes, that’s not a reality people see in life. Life doesn’t go one way and kids’ movies aren’t willing to reveal this.

At a point where AI and robots are advancing everyday, it’s kinda refreshing just to watch this dog befriending a robot. This movie views everyday life as just society being animals, sometimes dancing at a park and other times being alone. It’s self aware and introduces a plethora of movies that are so important in the future as a new generation makes new and as we rely more on AI. Movies like Her (2013) where people find solace in befriending a robot or Past Lives (2023) where people have to let go and accept for the better.

There is an interview from Cartoon Brew with the director, Pablo Berger, where he states, “For us, it was never a kids’ movie. Sara’s book wasn’t meant for kids either.” He then goes on to discuss the animation and design aspects being kid-friendly but, at the end of the day, the story was meant for all and not targeted to one audience. So, did I make this article for nothing? Hopefully not; I hope it encourages people to open a wider net of a relationship between animation and kid-friendly movies. At the end of the day, animation is a medium, not a genre and it shouldn’t be pushed as “for kids”.

So, as a new generation grows up and encounters difficulties like loss, loneliness, and acceptance, Robot Dreams won’t have an answer but it’ll be a reminder for their life ahead.