"WALL-E' May Very Well Be Pixar's Masterpiece"
Pixar Animation Studios is officially the most successful film studio in all of Hollywood. It has released eight films over more than a decade and all of them are certified critical and commercial successes. That streak continues in 2008 with their ninth film, "WALL-E." This time, though, Pixar has more than just another surefire hit. "WALL-E" is so flawlessly crafted that it may be hard for them to top this.
Pixar's films have worked so well generally because they have been films that literally work on any age level, with a humorous, exciting or dramatic bit that works no matter how old the audience. "WALL-E" is no different in that regard, but this film isn't just business as usual. This film takes quite a brave and mature leap that strays from the formula of brightly-colored action and funny sidekicks that entertain the kids and a slew of gags and inside jokes for the parents. The film possesses a message; it serves as a bit of warning to humanity and where our excessive lifestyles and disregard for life itself. Brilliantly, the message is in the subtext and actions of the characters. It is a positive message to, that shows the wreckage of our lifestyles through childlike eyes and proves that positive thinking and the will to set things right are the first steps to making change.
Immediately, the tone of the film is equally somber yet upbeat and enthusiastic. It opens on Planet Earth in the year 2700. The planet is a brown, congealing pile of rubbish because of humanity's excess. The planet is so overfilled with garbage that trash heaps extend higher in the sky than skyscrapers and the planet is orbited by useless satellites. Earth cannot sustain life and humanity has long since fled to safety in the Axiom, a space-traveling day spa, where it still awaits a possible return home.
The job of cleaning up our mess had been left to a group of robots, but after seven centuries, the humans never returned and all robots ceased functioning. . . all except one. He (it is most definitely a "he") is a Waste Allocation Load Lifter-Earth Class, or WALL-E. He spends every day bunching up and crushing the junk he finds into squares. But since he has been alone for a long time, he has developed an almost human personality with quirks, curiosity and a sense of humor and duty. He maintains himself with the spare parts of other robots and has taken to collecting a few items that really interest him. His favorite is a copy of the musical "Hello, Dolly!" which resonates with him, because he's very lonely.
One day, a ship from space lands on Earth (and frightens WALL-E in the process). The ship deposits another robot, a slicker, more advanced model known as an Extra-Terrestrial Vegetation Evaluator (or EVE). WALL-E is instantly smitten with his new company and together both begin a tenuous relationship. But when duty calls and EVE is called back to her ship, the love struck WALL-E hitches a ride and follows, all the way to the Axiom, where, in his quest to find his friend, he sees what has become of humanity during their automated luxury vacation and he inadvertently sets things in motion for humans to regain their sense of self and desire to return to Earth.
The script by writer-director Andrew Stanton ("Toy Story") is beautiful as it makes a very moving and convincing love story between two semi-sentient beings who maybe speak a handful of words in English. But masterfully, even with a combination of beeps and buzzes both WALL-E (voiced by sound maestro Ben Burtt) and EVE (Elissa Knight) can be understood perfectly just by their body language and their reactions to one another. It helps that both are fully developed characters with their own arcs. Their relationship feels natural and it is a joyous thing. Stanton accomplished the near impossible by keeping children's interest for a good portion of the film with little actual dialogue.
The kids will certainly be entertained by WALL-E and his funny noises, crazy adventures and wacky actions, as well as the similarly eccentric sidekick robots he befriends on board the ship. They will also probably think of his friendship with EVE as "cute." Older audiences will enjoy the nods to Chaplin's "City Lights" in the romance between WALL-E and EVE (the little trash compactor actually goes through a series of physical pratfalls that resembles the Little Tramp's work. They will also enjoy the film's second act in which the adventure aboard the Axiom takes a turn for the (G-Rated) sinister in the vein of Kubrick's "2001." It is here where the subtle jabs at humanity's laziness and increasing dependency on technology for survival pays off: delivered in a series of sight gags aimed at children. One great point about corporations taking over is shown to perfection in a cameo by Fred Willard. But the most telling line of all in the mostly dialogue-free script is by a human, voiced by John Ratzenberger when he suddenly realizes about the ship: "We have a pool?"
The absolute stunner of the film however is their computer animation. While "Toy Story" was a technical marvel and is still great to look that, the geniuses behind Pixar have taken their game to a new level. They make a garbage-covered planet into something heartbreaking and beautiful. The movements of the characters are life-like in their fluency. The scenery itself is so breathtaking. At times, the film looks and feels real. Storyline wise, "Wall-E" is tough to beat, but Pixar will be hard pressed to outdo the amazing animation here.
Unless a minor miracle happens, "Wall-E" has already all but locked up a fourth Oscar for Pixar. With this film, Pixar has practically proven that they can do no wrong after nine straight hits. But "WALL-E" is another kind of hit; it is a hit that works on the level of a developing child, young teens and adults. It is funny, sad, exhilarating and very moving. An almost non-speaking robot stars in a film that will steal hearts, with a positive message to boot. "WALL-E" is one of Pixar affiliate Disney's best and is arguably the best thing Pixar has ever produced. It is one of the best films of 2008 and quite possibly one of the greatest animated films in history.
FINAL GRADE: FIVE STARS (OUT OF FIVE STARS)
"WALL-E"
From Walt Disney Pictures and Pixar Animation Studios
Featuring the voices of Ben Burtt, Elissa Knight, Jeff Garlin, John Ratzenberger, Kathy Najimy and Sigourney Weaver; Featuring an appearance by Fred Willard
Written and Directed by Andrew Stanton
Titles by Jim Capobianco
Running Time: 97 Minutes
Rated "G"Some Moments of Peril