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Review: WALL-E

A brainy, charming eco-friendly animated adventure.

WALL-E begins on an Earth centuries in the future. It's a bleak, garbage-strewn place whose only citizen seems to be WALL-E (short for Waste Allocation Load Lifter Earth-Class), a sanitation robot who's improbably enamored of the musical Hello, Dolly! Then, one day, a spaceship drops in for a pit stop and leaves behind an egg-shaped robot. Her name is EVE, and she's sleek, speedy, and stunning -- WALL-E is immediately smitten. But before the two can make beautiful musicals together, an unexpected discovery hurtles her back to mankind's current home: a giant spaceship called Axiom, where humans float on personal hover crafts, interact with others via screen phones, and have grown so obese and sedentary that they've forgotten how to walk. Determined not to lose his new companion, WALL-E follows EVE to the ship -- and sets in motion a chain of events that just might put people back on a healthier path.

Who would've expected an animated feature with stretches of near-silence, a deeply intellectual and ecological bent, and a robot with relatively few bells and whistles to be profoundly moving and thought-provoking, yet still entertaining? WALL-E hits those marks, and how. Much of the credit is due to Andrew Stanton, who directed and co-wrote (with Jim Reardon) the movie, which takes Pixar's success in turning out animated hits to the next level. Gorgeously detailed and, more important, ambitiously challenging, WALL-E is cinematic art -- especially early on, when WALL-E, alone on Earth, plays with his trusty cockroach sidekick, or, later, courts a reluctant EVE. They interact as if in an intricately choreographed silent movie, or, yes, a musical: She's aloof, he's smitten; she's distant, he's bowled over. (Kudos to Ben Burtt for adding such emotion to WALL-E's squeaks and bleeps.)

Early scenes in which WALL-E wonders at the detritus of human life -- a velvet box holding a diamond, a rubber duckie, a spork -- are especially poignant, particularly when juxtaposed against the massive pile of waste he's meant to tame. The movie's pro-planet message is hardly subtle, but it feels refreshing to see an animated film take a stand about a political and social issue. The virtually dialogue-free first act may stretch a bit too long for younger audiences -- even though they'll benefit from being given a green lesson in such a lively, fun package -- but they'll get the animated action-adventure they crave soon enough. By the end, WALL-E feels less artsy and more like the typical Pixar film.

Common Sense Note

Parents need to know that although this winning Pixar adventure is thoroughly charming and, yes, romantic, the youngest viewers may get a little restless during the atmospheric, virtually dialogue-free first half-hour. They'll still enjoy it, but -- unlike older kids and grown-ups -- they won't be that impressed by how much is said with so few words. But the action (which includes some robot fights, weapons being fired, explosions, and chase scenes) picks up soon enough. Underlying the whole thing are strong environmental messages: Reduce, reuse, recycle, and think about what you're doing to the planet (and yourself).

Families can talk about the movie's messages. What is it saying about the media's effect on people? Do you think the future humans in the movie were exaggerated to be funny, or could that really happen? Are they happy? What are they missing? Also, why is WALL-E so fascinated by Hello, Dolly? What does he learn from the movie? Why is he so eager to make a connection with EVE? How does he win her over? How is this movie different from other animated features, even previous Pixar films?

Rating: G. Studio: Walt Disney Pictures. Directed By: Andrew Stanton. Cast: Sigourney Weaver, Fred Willard, Jeff Garlin. Running Time: 103 minutes.
Genre: Family and Kids.

Reviewed by S. Jhoanna Robledo.

See more about WALL-E at Common Sense Media.

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Posted by starchild9696@sbcglobal.net Sat Jun 28, 2008 11:05am PDT

you scare me. but the movie looks kinda cool. it looks a little babyish though

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Posted by bunnyduff12 Sat Jun 28, 2008 11:47am PDT

I LOVED WALLE!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! IT WAS REALLY CUTE

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Posted by Craig A Sat Jun 28, 2008 12:01pm PDT

well do you recomend it for kids who are going into there senior year,sophmore year, eigth grade year and fourth grade????

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Posted by Billyboy14 Sat Jun 28, 2008 12:26pm PDT

My 3 year old greeted WALL E like an old friend as we first glimpsed him through the swirling, dirty clouds. He loved the movie and sat, enthralled, as the first, near silent part played out. I think Pixar did a terrific job at marketing the movie, because the little guy was so excited to see WALL E, that I don't think it mattered a whit about the lack of dialogue. He also picked up on the emotions of the robots, turning to me several times to ask why WALL E was sad, or afraid, etc. I really enjoyed it and just marvelled at the photorealistic renderings of post homo sapien Earth. There were only a few times my little one got nervous...mainly around the loud spaceships and dust storms. Terrific flick!!!

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Posted by memyselfandi Sat Jun 28, 2008 12:35pm PDT

I am a disabled woman who had to take the bus, ride in my wheelchair and wait an hour and a half and I still think it was worth every bit of effort. Wall E is great to look at, a beautiful friendship/love story, fun, adventurous and you will thoroughly enjoy it.

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Posted by lorrimel Sat Jun 28, 2008 12:51pm PDT

I went with my kids to see the movie, I had my reservations because It was difficult to top the Incredibles and Rattatouille, anyway, Pixar never lets me down...I found this was the best movie by far. I was crying and laughing... I enjoy it so much I want to see it again...This movie had everything, It had a clear message...first globalization, "deshumanization", contamination and capitalization the ingredients endangering our way of life and that it is love and willingness to start over and change which can bring us a new world, a better world...

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Posted by will g Sat Jun 28, 2008 1:03pm PDT

great movie for the entire family, love it

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Posted by brooke_b25 Sat Jun 28, 2008 2:01pm PDT

I really enjoyed Wall-E. It was a movie for all ages. I am a Senior in high school and i never remembered a moment I was not laughing. I noticed in the crowd adults without kids enjoying this movie. I say it is up there with "Finding Nemo". Wall-E is as good or maybe better.

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Posted by George p Sat Jun 28, 2008 2:01pm PDT

OUTSTANDING........SIMPLY OUTSTANDING......FUNNY....SMART....ENJOYABLE....LOVABLE....VERY WELL DONE....WE WILL SEE IT AGAIN.....AGAIN....

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Posted by moshelle7 Sat Jun 28, 2008 2:12pm PDT

I just saw WallE with kids aged 10, 8, 5 and 4. They sat enthralled with the entire movie unlike anything I've ever witnessed! They loved it. Two Moms and a Grandma enjoyed it too, even though the depiction of a trash strewn Earth and a society of people too obese to walk were a little depressing to watch.

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