In today's adult world, robots are becoming increasingly prevalent. This is especially true in the realm of children's entertainment, where a new archetype of the sympathetic robot is taking center stage. Sitting with my 5-year-old son in darkened theaters, I've witnessed countless such characters. These robots are open-hearted and often amazed by the simple pleasures of life, such as playing in the surf, dancing with a loved one, or holding hands. They seem more human than some of the people we know.

From Sinister to Sympathetic: A Shift in Robot Narratives

In the past, robots in our fictions were often more sinister. We had characters like the bioengineered humanoids in "Blade Runner," the homicidal computer in "2001: A Space Odyssey," and the warring robot in the "Terminator" movies. These were stories of humanity's hubris and inability to control the life we created. Even more abstract characters like Wintermute in William Gibson's "Neuromancer" were seen as gods we unleashed on the world. However, this has changed. While we still enjoy stories about malevolent machines like the homicidal A.I. doll in "M3gan," children are now offered a more optimistic view. Characters like R2-D2 and BB-8 in "Star Wars," the Iron Giant, and Sox in "Lightyear" have set a new standard.

The Wild Robot: A Tale of Emotional Complexity

Take Roz from the animated film "The Wild Robot." Based on the Peter Brown book series, this movie focuses on a robot that washes ashore on an island without humans. She learns to communicate with the animals and becomes the surrogate mother of an orphaned gosling. Roz undergoes a transformation. She goes from seeing her care for the gosling as a duty to embracing it as a real connection. She embraces the wildness around her and becomes an advocate for the natural world. Her touching incomprehension of how to care for a newborn makes her truly charming.

Robot Dreams: A Tale of Loneliness and Love

"Robot Dreams" by Pablo Berger, based on a graphic novel by Sara Varon, is set in 1980s New York with human-like animals. The film explores the theme of loneliness and how relationships change. It follows a dog and its robot companion as they grow close and then are separated. Near the end, it is the robot that makes a heartbreakingly human decision. This film is perhaps more suitable for slightly older children as it delves into deeper emotions.This is all happening despite the often bleak near future depicted in these children's films. We are seeing a shift in how robots are portrayed in entertainment, offering children a more positive and empathetic view of these mechanical beings.