If there’s one thing an audience loves more than an underdog, it would have to be an underdog in love. Enter WALL-E, the dutiful robot attempting to make something of a world neglected by its original inhabitants.
It would seem Pixar can’t put a foot wrong. Through a combination of high quality and original animation techniques and well developed imaginative stories and characters, Pixar have developed a wonderful body of work. WALL-E fits seamlessly into this collection. WALL-E even incorporates some live action sequences into the animation.
In terms of story, the movie works on several levels. First and foremost, it is a love story… between robots. (Yes, I know what you’re thinking – probably the same thing I thought when I first heard about this movie. Although after seeing the trailer it is difficult not to suspend your disbelief and become enchanted by the interactions of these two characters, WALL-E and EVE.) But there is also a moralistic tale about looking after the planet, something I wasn’t expecting, with oddly George Orwellian 1984-esque overtones.
It might seem something that might not be relevant in today’s world, but I put to you – how many of you already feel enslaved by technology? How many of us are available to anyone who wants us at any hour of the day through the wonders of mobile technologies – iPhones and Blackberries? The expression “Crackberry” was invented to explain this kind of dependency. Something to be mindful of perhaps.
What I love most about this movie, though, is its ability to really subtly consider humanity for all its quirks. It would’ve been quite easy to demonise the human race given the nature of the subject matter being dealt with here, but it is treated quite sympathetically. Infact there is a great sense of balance to all things in this movie. Human beings can be lazy and ambivalent, but they can also be brave and strive to overcome obstacles. Equally their robotic counterparts can either act as machines of suppression or liberation. The message is simple: it isn’t who you are, or where you are, that matters; it is what you choose to do. And I think this is a great message for kids and adults alike!
For the hopeless romantics (myself included) it is difficult not to acknowledge how adorable this clumsy, awkward robot with a penchant for the musical “Hello Dolly!” actually is. I was particularly enchanted by a sequence set to Louis Armstrong’s La Vie En Rose.
I can’t say enough about how delightful this movie is. I can see a lot of people getting this movie (when it is released on DVD) for Christmas!
{ 5 comments… read them below or add one }
I really want to see this movie, but no one wants to go with me. I feel so lonely.
I didn’t like it so much. The graphics were great, the story was cute, but had been done before, and the ending was kind of… erm… well…
I liked “Cars” much more
I DID enjoy the idea of the humans having become fat, lazy pigs who don’t even expend the energy to walk! That had me in stitches.
Christopher Masts last blog post..Hmph.
As for Pixar it is a toss up between WALL-E and The Incredibles for me, I just recently got the interactive toys which talk to each other and stuff. I really loved the film… yup I’ve just decided WALL-E is my favourite
I was dragged along by my family and was not looking forward to it, but I ended up enjoying it. I work in environmental management and found it quite interesting. The humans are not so far away from where we are at now.
Colin Campbells last blog post..Eat Kangaroo and Save the World
Long time reader, first time commenter.
You always write so eloquently in these blogs Johny, and there is always at least one line in each that makes me pause and chuckle for a while, and this was no exception. My favourite line was “with oddly George Orwellian 1984-esque overtones.” I love how you can add “-ian” and “-esque” to anything nowadays and it sounds like a real word (Try saying Orwellian out loud, it totally does).
Anyway, I really want to see this, and will definitely get it when it comes out on DVD (I also can’t help but say WALL-E in his voice too, it’s too darn cute!).
Yeah, that’s my epic comment.
Mr Writer, over and out. xx
Daveys last blog post..A non-virtuous day.