The latest hit release from the geniuses at Pixar, Wall-E leaps into the future of Earth when we've finally done too much damage to stay here. Massive spaceships have been loaded up with all people and all the amenities they could need, and rocketed into the great beyond. At this point in the future there are robots galore, each with their own unique purpose and function. The spaceship has robots for every purpose imaginable - from scrubbing the floor to providing shade at the pool. Those remaining on Earth are charged with its cleanup... including Wall-E. When we meet this merry machine he seems to be the only functioning unit left and while he still does his daily duties, he seems to have picked up a bit of a personality as well. One day another ship lands near his "home" and another bot appears. Wall-E tries to befriend the sleeker (dare I say "sexier"?) visitor until he shows her a plant and she switches to an odd sleep-mode until the ship that dropped her off comes back to pick her up again. Wall-E sneaks a lift and the adventures continue out in space. I don't want to give too much more details here, so let's get on with the ratings...Original Release: 2008
Running Time: 98 minutes
(Blast on over for a ratings system reminder.)
It's a kids movie, but as is the case with most Pixar flicks, adults can enjoy it just as much. Following the footsteps of Toy Story and others the characters are lovable, the story is essentially simple and the extra subtleties of humor and animation nuances give it that extra flare that enables children of any age to have fun watching Wall-E.
Hardee-Har-Har - $1
Again, the simplicity was the best part here. When you take into consideration that the main characters (as well as most of the supporting characters) can say little more than their own name, the physical and situational humor here was great. Some might say that its cheating to have animated characters since they can literally make them do whatever they want... but I think it is even MORE challenging to give comedic timing and delivery to a completely digital creation. I didn't roll over laughing at any point, but there were a string of little chuckles and rib ticklers over the course of an hour and a half.
Effects & Animation - $2
Bravo Pixar... Bravo. Once again you have stepped up your game and surpassed the level of awesomeness reached in your previous films. Wall-E allowed them to step out of the ordinary and explore new frontiers with futuristic robots and an overly-technological space station. Each of the robot characters managed to maintain distinct personalities the likes of which can not be matched in cinema... sorry about your luck R2-D2 and forgettable-character-voiced-by-Ewan-McGregor-in-the-movie-Robots.
Critters & Creatures - $2
I know I said it above, but the robot characters in this movie were great. Wall-E and E.V.E. were both able to show an incredible range of emotions, and the group of misfit robots had me grinning from ear to ear. From the anal-retentive cleaning bot "MO" to the malfunctioning massage-bot, there was a great cast of lovable and distinct robo-characters.
Romantics - $2
Again, big ups to Pixar for being able to do what few human actors can do with only a keyboard, track-pad and Pentium Processor. The truly innocent love that built between Wall-E and E.V.E. had my eyes welling up a little bit as they sought to have nothing more than each other's company and to... wait for it... hold hands. Nobody makes a big deal out of holding hands any more! Nobody! But Pixar made it mean something again here so I tip my hat to them.
It took me a couple tries to finally see all of Wall-E, but that is my own darn fault for watching it at times when I new I was likely to fall asleep (under the covers of my own bed, and on the new couch in my parents' living room). I suggest you give it a try... and several if that's what it takes... because this is a great movie and one that should be seen by all. If you've seen it already, feel free to let me know what you thought! Until next time...
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