WALL-E [G]

Hundreds of years ago humankind polluted Earth to such an extent that they were forced to leave and live in Space until the planet could be made habitable again. Left all alone to clean up the mess is a little robot named WALL-E who has spent years and years cleaning up and making curious memories with his only friend: a cockroach. But WALL-E’s humdrum life is turned upside down when a sleek search robot named EVE is sent to find signs of plant life on Earth. WALL-E falls hopelessly in love with her and follows her all over the planet and then later into space, embarking on a big adventure to save humankind in the process. 

Without a doubt, Pixar’s most visually stunning and simply all-around most amazing cinematic achievement is WALL-E; a futuristic love story that sends out strong messages of environmental protection and a fantastic criticism of consumerism and the threats it poses. WALL-E is Pixar’s most memorable and stunning feature film that harbours something for absolutely everyone. IT’S ABSOLUTEY BREATHTAKING! 

Hundreds of years ago humankind polluted Earth to such an extent that they were forced to leave and live in Space until the planet could be made habitable again. Left behind to clean up the mess were a series of robots, or WALL-E units. After several hundred years there is one solitary WALL-E left, cleaning up the mess and making curious memories with his only friend: a cockroach. But WALL-E’s humdrum life is turned upside down when a sleek search robot named EVE is sent to find signs of plant life on Earth. WALL-E falls hopelessly in love with her and follows her all over planet and then later into space, embarking upon a great big adventure to save humankind in the process. 

There are so many wonderful aspects of WALL-E to draw attention to; I have no idea where to start. Let’s begin with the breathtaking, absolutely breathtaking animation and sound effects. With minimal dialogue used, Ben Burtt’s sound design for WALL-E is truly something to be marvelled at. Over 2,500 sounds were recorded for the film and it was simply amazing to hear these robots communicate with one another in a dialect completely their own, but with very human intonations. 

The visual animation is crisp and simply astounding; a true cinematic achievement and one that proved that animated films don’t need to be preachy or overtly moral, and that the genre of science fiction doesn’t have to always be predictable, silly, violent, or scary. It’s just beautiful. 

There are so many wondrous layers that make up the story of WALL-E, each one as critical and memorable as the next. On the surface, it is a love story between two robots: man-made creations that are so unique they have individually acquired a sense of human. The character of WALL-E is absolutely adorable and completely loveable, rivalling that of Number 5 in Short Circuit. With his acute sense of curiosity, adventure, innocence, and love, you need only spend two minutes with him and your heart will melt. 

But underneath the non-mushy love story, there is a more alarming and (what is more, concerning) plausible look at what humankind will evolve into: pampered and morbidly obese couch potatoes who have lost practically all skills: social, political, emotional, and physical. It is a bleak look at the future to be sure, but one that could very well happen. From this central drama, stems the flow of powerful messages about the protection of the environment, the threats posed by consumerism, and the general level of apathy and ignorance that modern societies currently hold. 

For a child, this is a film of funny and loveable characters with a bit of a love story and an adventure thrown in. But for an adult, WALL-E is a film that raises awareness and opens people’s eyes to the dangers that we, as a society and as a species, are creating. It’s all food for thought set against a romantic love story filled with loveable and memorable characters. 

Featuring the voice talents of Ben Burtt, Elissa Knight, Jeff Garlin, Fred Willard, John Ratzenberger, Kathy Najimy, and Sigourney Weaver, the winner of the 2008 Academy Award for Best Animated Feature Film, and nominated for several Academy Awards including Best Screenplay, Best Sound Design, Best Sound Editing, Best Music Score, and Best Original Song, WALL-E is an absolutely enchanting movie that’s filled with adventure, romance, comedy, drama, home truths, strong messages, and memorable characters. Earning its place in The Book, IT’S AN ABSOLUTELY STUNNING FILM! I just adore it!