Saturday, June 28, 2008

Eevaa?


We went to see Pixar's Wall-E last night. This is one time that the critics are absolutely right. Wall-E is an absolutely wonderful movie that is not only beautiful to look at, but left me trying not to get choked up at several points. It's just that good.

One of the things that amazes me about Pixar films is idea that their films cost over a million dollars a minute to make and yet they never allow that cost to limit the story. One of the more jaw-dropping scenes in Wall-E was a robot ballet in space that must of covered five minutes of screen time. You can just hear some Disney corporate executive upon seeing that seem complaining that it doesn't move quickly enough or advance the narrative.

Tough luck . It was one of the most beautiful things I've seen on screen. Ever. Kudos to the Pixar engineers and artists that choreographed and rendered that sequence.

Reviewers are bringing up the obvious cinematic influences on this movie from Star Wars to 2001: A Space Odyssey. For my part the film evoked comparisons to one of my favorite science fiction films; Silent Running. From it's strong pro-environmental message to it's smart, cute robots it has a lot in common to that earlier film.

While Wall-E's environmental message is timely it's the theme of the film; that we shouldn't lose our sense of connectedness to others or the world we live in, that will really resonate with audiences. Wall-E is the darnright sweetest film I've seen since E.T. How else would you describe a film in which the driving goal of it's hero is just to hold hands with another living creature?
At it's heart is a love for humanity that practically bleeds through the screen. Which is an odd thing for a film in which the protagonist is a robot.

If you have some time this weekend then brave the lines and see the remarkable Wall-E. It doesn't disappoint.

7 comments:

Life As I Know It Now said...

Hubby wants to see this movie and we plan to go tomorrow night. Sounds like something I can sit through anyway.

Westcoast Walker said...

I am glad that I have kids and an easy excuse to go to these type of films - it was kind of a toss up between this or Kung-Fu Panda this weekend - and you have swayed my decision with your glowing review.

Dr. Zaius said...

Poor Huey and Louie. And poor Dewey is all alone now, with all of that freakin' gardening to do!

Anonymous said...

"Silent Running"

Thank you. I've been trying to remember the name of that film for the last few weeks.

Arkonbey said...

Definitely looking forward to this. Your comparison to modern Disney is apt. I love Pixar films and find them reminiscent of Pinnochio-era Disney in their love of craft and not of money.

All comparisons to Stuio Ghibli are also apt.

Dean Wormer said...

Liberality-

I'd love to hear what you think.

westcoast-

That's one of the best reasons to have kids in that you get to do kid's stuff with them.

dr zaius-

At least they don't have to cheat at cards with Bruce Dern.

joe the troll-

It really is a classic.

arkonbey-

Without getting too mushy I do think this is actually a work of art in which the commercial aspects have been minimized.

It really is the best picture I've seen in 2008 at least.

Dr. Zaius said...

They weren't cheating! Well, not much, anyway.