11 of 44

Write now Article Tools

At first, I did not want to see Disney-Pixar's newest animated film, Wall-E. The previews did not convince me that this was a "must see" movie. When the opportunity to go to the press screening presented itself, I accepted because of my daughter. No, she is not a child she is 16 years old. But every time we saw the trailer, she would declare in that high-pitched teenaged squeal reserved for baby animals, David Boreanaz, and her boyfriend, "But he's so adorable!" I was afraid that the movie would not rise above its cuteness factor. I am happy to report that my fears were unfounded.

Wall-E does have all the ingredients for that certain kind of cute Disney movie that we all expect. Wall-E is a beat up, rusty robot who appears to be the sole survivor of an army of robots left on the earth to clean it up after the human race had trashed and abandoned it. He looks like a box with a binocular head and acts like a mini trash compactor.

The beginning of the movie is like an old silent film, where Wall-E exhibits certain human qualities that endear us to him. He is curious, he collects little bits and pieces that he finds interesting, he has funny mishaps and triumphs and he has an odd liking for the musical version of Hello Dolly. It is while he is watching the musical that we learn that he is also lonely. Michael Crawford, as Cornelius Hackl, has taught Wall-E how to love and we can almost feel Wall-E's longing for his own Irene Malloy.

Of course, he does get his wish, in the shape of an egg-shaped robot who comes to Earth in search of life. This new robot is Eve, and Wall-E is instantly smitten. I found their beginning scenes fun to watch as they discover their similarities and overcome their differences. Watching Wall-E with his beat up angles and Eve with her shiny smooth and curved lines, reminded me of those funny computer commercials that start out with "Hello, I'm a Mac," and "I'm a PC."

After Wall-E finds a plant and gives it to Eve, she seemingly shuts down while waiting for her mother ship to pick her up. Wall-E does not understand why she has shut down, but his devotion to her is touching. Eve's mother ship does arrive, and Wall-E stows away for the ride and their adventures begin.

As expected from a Pixar film, the CG animation of Wall-E is good. Wall-E reminded me of a mechanical version of ET, including his curious attempts at understanding human objects found in the world. The sound effects from sound designer Ben

• 1
• 2
• next page >>

Add your voice

Know something about Movie reviews: WALL-E?
We want to hear your view. Write now!