Robin Robin – WISE Score & Parent Review | Screenwise

Robin Robin

Name: Screenwise
Author: Screenwise

movie2021

88%

WISE Score

100

Avg. Tomatometer

A bird raised by mice goes on a heartwarming identity quest in this gorgeous stop-motion short—think Aardman does The Ugly Duckling.

7/10

100%

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Robin Robin

movie

G, 2021

88%

WISE Score

100

Avg. Tomatometer

A bird raised by mice goes on a heartwarming identity quest in this gorgeous stop-motion short—think Aardman does The Ugly Duckling.

100%

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7/10

100%

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Screenwise Verdict

This is a gem. Robin Robin is exactly what you want from a family short film: beautiful to look at, emotionally intelligent without being heavy-handed, and genuinely entertaining for both kids and parents.

The stop-motion animation alone is worth the 30 minutes—it's tactile, detailed, and has that handcrafted Aardman charm that makes you appreciate the artistry. The story hits all the right notes about identity and belonging without getting preachy, and the bird-raised-by-mice premise is both funny and touching.

The only real limitation is the runtime—it's a short, so it can't go as deep as a feature film. But honestly? That's also its strength. You can watch it on a weeknight, enjoy a complete story, and move on with your evening. It's holiday-adjacent (winter/Christmas vibes), which makes it a perfect seasonal tradition, but it works year-round.

Solid choice for family movie night, especially if you have younger elementary kids.

Age Fit

Best for ages 4-10, though the themes of identity and belonging can resonate with slightly older kids too. The stop-motion style and gentle pacing are perfect for preschool through early elementary, but tweens will likely find it too young unless they're nostalgic Aardman fans.

WISE Breakdown

Wholesome

Charming stop-motion animation about a bird raised by mice learning about identity and belonging. Models kindness, family bonds (even across species), and acceptance. The pacing is gentle and appropriate for young viewers, with heartwarming themes of self-discovery without cynicism or mean-spirited humor.

Imaginative

Stop-motion animation is inherently creative and visually distinctive. The premise of a bird raised by mice is whimsical and original, inviting kids to think about identity, differences, and what makes a family. The crafted aesthetic from Aardman (Wallace & Gromit studio) is tactile and inspiring, though as a short film it has limited time to fully explore its world.

Safe

Common Sense Media rates it for age 7, and with a 100% RT critic score and family-friendly Aardman pedigree, this is clearly designed for young audiences. No violence, scary content, or inappropriate material. The only mild tension comes from the bird's journey of self-discovery and possibly a cat antagonist (typical for this type of story), but nothing traumatic or unexpected for the genre.

Enriching

Explores meaningful themes of identity, belonging, and accepting differences. The story encourages empathy and understanding that family isn't just about looking the same. However, at roughly 30 minutes (standard Netflix short), it's a sweet tale but doesn't have the depth or lasting impact of feature-length films. Still, it's genuinely entertaining with strong craftsmanship that can spark conversations about self-acceptance.

Parent Info

✓

Why It Might Be Great

Stunning stop-motion animation from the studio behind Wallace & Gromit and Shaun the Sheep—the craftsmanship is genuinely beautiful
Sweet, age-appropriate exploration of identity and belonging without being preachy or saccharine
Perfect length for young attention spans at around 30 minutes, making it an easy family watch
100% on Rotten Tomatoes suggests critics loved it, and the holiday setting makes it a cozy seasonal tradition
Models acceptance and celebrates differences in a way that feels natural to the story

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What to Watch For

Likely features a cat as an antagonist (standard for bird stories), which might create mild tension for very sensitive viewers
It's a short film, so if your kids are expecting a full movie experience, set expectations accordingly
The themes about feeling different might resonate deeply with kids who already feel like outsiders—could be a great conversation starter or might bring up feelings

Conversation Starters

"Robin was raised by mice but she's a bird—do you think that makes the mice less of a real family to her?"
"Have you ever felt like you didn't fit in somewhere? What did you do about it?"
"What makes someone part of a family—is it how you look or something else?"
"If you could be raised by any animal family, which would you pick and why?"

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