One day way back in June of 2007 a trailer slid across my desk. In this trailer I hear Andrew Stanton talking about a lunch meeting he had with the rest of the Pixar team in the summer of 1994. Toy Story was almost done, they knew they had a hit, so they’re spit balling ideas. They came up with all of the Pixar movies that we’ve come to know and love. The final idea they came up with was the story of a little robot named WALL•E. It was when I saw this trailer that I knew I would love this movie. I then saw some exclusive trailers at Wonder Con in San Francisco, and New York Comic-Con, it was this footage that revealed just how revolutionary this movie would be.
Pixar does a great job of making movies that not only appeal to kids, but also appeal to adults, and that’s key to making a successful kids movie. There’s “back door” jokes that the parents will love, but a simple, in your face, storyline that anybody can easily understand. I found my self emotionally attached to WALL•E. He’s the little robot that can and as he progresses through the story I felt the same way he did every time he would get shot down, or something good would happen. Stanton has said that the inspiration for WALL•E’s head is binoculars, and that he was just so impressed with how such a simple object could show so much emotion.
The dialogue in this film is minimal, and that makes things interesting. There are humans, and they do talk, but for the first 30 or so minutes there’s no talking of any kind. It’s all animated pantomime. That’s what truly had me hooked on this movie, I’ve never seen anything like this before, and needless to say I was quite impressed. If Pixar can keep coming up with fresh ideas like this then they’ll continue pumping out blockbusters for years to come.
Most people will be able to relate to WALL•E and his struggle to catch the attention of Eve, the sleek, probe set out to see if “she” could find life on earth. I am able to relate to WALL•E more then I have for just about any other character in any other movie. For being a robot he is very human.
Fred Willard plays the CEO (much like the president of earth in this case) of BNL (Buy ‘n Large) before humans had to abandon it. Of course, there were subtle G.W. Bush jokes in there that the adults in the audience will love. The humans in the movie are also quite relatable, not to the same degree as WALL•E, but you will still feel there pain.
This movie, hands down, is the best movie I’ve seen in years. I don’t care if you’re 1 or 101, you’ll enjoy the hell out of WALL•E. Sure, the plot is simple, but the subtle underlying plot will keep you thinking for days. It’s the perfect length to boot the movie ends right when the kids start to get restless. I love this movie so much that I’m awarding it my first ever 10 out of 10. Yes, it is truly that good.
