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To say that 'WALL-E' is a masterpiece may be a bit of an understatement. It certainly isn't an overstatement. The scope
of the film and the execution of it is perfect. It was no doubt no small feat (I don't know how long it took to make it;
honestly, I don't know how long it takes to make any Pixar film, but I'd guess it took quite a while). No doubt it would
be, because the first half hour of the film is void of any talking (except for an advert here or there from B 'n L or robot
noises). But it doesn't matter; those robot noises say enough. A bit of trivia for you: the Pixar people hired the guy from
'Star Wars' who did all the robot noises in those films (like R2-D2) to come help with their robots. I will say that he did
an AMAZING job in this film, making EVE and WALL-E seem so real and almost human; in 'Star Wars', I don't remember--remember
I don't like 'Star Wars' so I've only watched it once and don't remember much, thank you. True confessions time: I don't
like sci-fi very much; fantasy is fine, but sci-fi, robot films, not so much. I HATED '2001: A Space Oddysey'. No. I'm
not kidding. That is one of my least favorite films EVER. I don't care for aliens; this is known. I don't like 'Star Wars'
or 'Star Trek', but I would take 'Star Trek' over 'Star Wars' only because of Patrick Stewart. 'Blade Runner was watchable
only because the acting is so good and the film is so deep and meaningful and mesmerizing, but still.But 'WALL-E'? First
off it is a Pixar film, so I automatically like it (I want to work at Pixar. I'm not kidding. Run over to Rotten Tomatoes
and see if you can still read their special report on Pixar and you'll see why.). Plus I have a soft spot for Disney (well,
sort of; some recent Disney films I just won't ever watch because they're so bad). But 'WALL-E' has a timelessness that other
films lack. It is charming and says more about the modern world than it does about the future world, which many sci-fi films
don't do. The animation, the talent in the voice acting, everything is perfect. Many people have complained about the movie
and whined about it saying it lies and it's too harsh on Americans. I think this is unfair. First off, the obesity rate
in this country is growing every year. I don't know how people can deny this; how is 'WALL-E' unfair in this respect? It's
simply proposing what might one day happen if the world continues on as it is and if we continue our current behaviors. And
we all know about the desire for things to be bigger and better in this country and the believe that this is best. I loved
how B 'n L's big shopping center mirrored Wal-Mart, the sworn enemy of many. I hate Wal-Mart. I believe it is trying to
take over the world. Who knows--we shall see. Those people who feel that 'WALL-E' is unfair and too critical or harsh on
American society might just be the ones the film speaks about and have no business watching it anyway. If you can't deal
with it and can't stand a little salt then you don't deserve to see this film. This isn't for the sensitive; it's more for
intellectuals and artsy types. I say this because it's a bit dark and dreary, and kids probably won't like it. It has robots,
sure, but remember the way it portrays people, and the message that it gives, and the way it portrays earth. The whole beginning
(with no talking, at all) is also sure to bore them and any one who has come for a fun, laugh out loud film (which it is,
in parts, but 'Nemo' and 'The Incredibles' this is not). But at the end of the film, the tone changes. There is a chance
for redemption and for the people to fix their mistakes and make things better again (and they do, according to the art montage
during the credits). The people, while they have ruined their planet, are good people. They are not truly the enemies here
(though it could be argued that they are, but the 'official' enemy is Auto, who helps the captain run the Axion). The people
are quite likable, and you can't blame them exactly for the way earth is; true, people ruined it, but these people want to
fix it and go home. So while the movie warns against the path our society is currently on and the possible outcome if our
lifestyles do not improve, it does not portray any one in a negative light. You might also argue that there are many heroes:
WALL-E, EVE, Mary, John, and the captain, because they all help to bring the Axion back to earth and help fix the planet.
It's refreshing, after the somewhat dark and dreary tone of the film and the outlook it has on the future.
The animation is amazing. Pixar is fantastic; their Renderman is the most perfect computer animation software ever (Pixar's
website has a list of film's that have used Renderman for their animation; the list will surprise you. Check it out.). I
love the way it portrays space, especially the rings of Saturn, which are made up of huge chunks of ice in different colors
of blue. All of Pixar's films excel in the animation department
('Nemo' might actually be the best) and I call for an Oscar win for 'WALL-E'. I like the music too; it's very exciting
and fitting for the film. The best thing though are the robots. As I mentioned before they took great pains to make them
appear human, and who wants old, clunky, boring robots anyway? When the main character is a hunk of metal, he has to be endearing
and charming enough for us to like him and cheer for him. Because lets face it, some people may be really boring, but nothing
is more boring than a bunch of metal that sits there and doesn't do anything. The film would tank. WALL-E has all these
little quirks which are so funny, like collecting garbage (he has a whole collection) and watching musicals ('Hello Dolly'
really, but I wonder if he watches more and we just don't know about it). All of his squeaks and beeps convey some sort of
emotion, and they've done so well here that you know exactly what he's feeling or thinking at any given moment. They've done
the same with EVE, although they use her eyes a lot more to convey feelings. WALL-E is so naïve and caring and desperate
to be liked and do the right thing that you can't help but like him, especially when EVE is trying to kill him with her totally
wicked rocket launcher on her arm. I love the Apple references; you do know that Steve Jobs is a big shot at Disney: he holds
Disney stock and sits on the board of directors, and he's actually one of the founding members of Pixar. Honest! Being a
Mac myself, I love the iPod sleekness of EVE and the Apple boot up sound WALL-E makes when his batteries are charged. Nice
touches. Some people have compared WALL-E to a PC. I'd like to say now that I think this an accurate comparison. I can now
hear people whining that I'm being mean and Macs are the worst computers ever and PCs rule and blah blah blah. Sure. I'll
argue why Macs are better later. And I will so win. Bring it. Humor is not lacking here. There are enough funny moments
to balance the dreary tone. Best moments include WALL-E getting run over by shopping carts, EVE going psycho and blowing
up tanker ships because she got stuck to one, WALL-E chasing a red dot of light, and WALL-E trying to hold a comatose EVE's
hand and getting his fingers smashed (poor WALL-E; all the fun seems to be had at his expense).
You know that feeling that some films give you, especially the really, really good ones, that you just like it, maybe
for no reason, or a reason that's hard to explain? That fun, exciting feeling, or that magical one? 'WALL-E' has that magical
feeling. It reaches out from the screen and you can't help but catch it. This film has magic that few films have now. Maybe
that's why everyone likes it. The animation is brilliant. The characters are great. EVE rocks hard core. It might be a
bit hard to swallow for some people, at least at first, but you shouldn't be afraid of it. It's too good to ignore. You
should totally rent this when it comes out on DVD this winter, though you've done yourself a grave injustice if you missed
it in the theaters, because this is a film which should best be experienced on a grand scale in a large, dark theater with
awesome picture quality and surround sound. But watch it anyways. Please? Do it for WALL-E. He deserves it.
Best quote: 'EEEEEVAAAAA!' (a very quotable movie. 'Foreign contaminent' is likely something you'll be saying randomly
for months. Same goes for 'Eva'.)
Best moment: EVE sees WALL-E on board the Axion and he shouldn't be! She gets mad and freaks out and tries to make him
go away. WALL-E sits there transfixed and sees EVE in a misty white haze. *sigh * 'Eeeva'. Also great is WALL-E trying
to impress EVE with his statue of her. EVE however is totally not impressed, and a dejected WALL-E kicks a wall of PVC pipes
in frustration, which promptly collapses and rolls over him.
Worst moment: There isn't one really.
Why see it: It's Pixar so it's good. And it's funny and perfect and brilliant and the animation is just too good. There's
a charm and magic about the film which most movies just don't have anymore.
Why not: Kids probably won't like it. It's a little dark compared to other Pixar films. There's a slightly negative
tone to it too, and doesn't give a very happy outlook on earth's future. The first half hour or so doesn't have any talking
so some people will be bored and probably complain that it's a bad film (WRONG). I can also see a lot of people steering
clear because of the controversy (and heaven forbid, complaints) about the film, but as I said before, some of those complainers
don't deserve to see the film anyway.
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