Rate/Review: Wall-E

[TriforceBun]

Well, I'm glad you went more in-depth with your problems with the film. That said...

It's recycled tripe retold with robots, end of story. While a love story between robot's MAY not have been done before, theres no denying that a love story between a romantically inept, yet charming underdog and a practically perfect female hasn't been done.

EVE was far from perfect. In the beginning, she's the cold, paranoid, and short-tempered robot until WALL-E inadvertently teaches her humanity. Unlike most animated movie romances, the plot's focus isn't in WALL-E trying to "win her over," or worse, making some sort of elaborate lie to impress her that backfires. Instead, it's about a directive-obeying robot that slowly learns what life is about thanks to WALL-E. Cry foul if you must that the film had a romantic core, but I really can't think of any movies, animated or otherwise, that handled an on-screen romance like this.

HarleenQuinn already explained nicely why the futuristic setting was handled in an extremely original way.

And the jokes.....you can't honestly think they were funny. Standard cutesy filler, all of them.

Er...sorry? There were plenty of visual gags (particularly in the first half) that I felt were handled magnificently. Pixar's comic timing is superb, and their use of sound, animation, and camera angles only helps enhance the jokes. Some that come to mind: WALL-E finds a ring box and throws away the ring because the box is more interesting. Not only is this a fun fake-out gag and a great insight into WALL-E's personality, but it left me wondering why the ring was there and about the story of the couple that didn't take it with them. I felt that the very real interaction between WALL-E and EVE was a great vehicle for laughs because of how relatable it was, but I can understand if that sort of humor isn't your thing. It's not really meant to be a comedy, and at the very least, there's nothing cringe-worthy about it. No obvious set-up/gag/punchline stuff or idiotic pop culture references.

And come on, the spork was funny.

This scene comes to mind: An anal retentive robot is angered by WALL-E's persistently filthy tracks. After successfully ridding his precious floor of WALL-E's filth, WALL-E kicks him right between the eye's, leaving a messy footprint.

Perfectly timed. Cracked me up.

For a verbal example, there's "Get ready to have some babies". Ugh.

OK, this one was a little wonky.

Your animation examples do nothing but support my argument. Every one of those actions was executed in the standard Disney/CGI manner. I know that they're robots, but I get tired of staring at a hunk of off-kilter machinery that looks like an E.T/Lenny The Binoculars hybrid. What's there to marvel at? The eyes? Oh, please! You see that same, sad expression in nearly every cartoon, and don't give me any of that subtlety nonsense. You were right in suggesting that "the motionless carbon blobs who occupy the Axiom" were lesser than their robot counterparts, but that doesn't make the latter better by comparison.

I'm not really sure what you're expecting, to be honest. How would you improve the animations? And yes, the eyes ARE impressive, for the same reason Mike Wazowski was--taking something simple and limited, and making a plethora of emotions with it. Not just in the eyes, though, but in the arms and treads (and various other appendages) of WALL-E as well.

[PreciousBodilyFluids]

When was the last time a simple, pure love story was told in an animated film? Furthermore, when was the last time that the love story in an animated film was its core and its driving, central story rather than a subplot which feels like it was only put in the movie out of reluctant necessity?

You are, in effect, saying that it has been done before, which proves my point exactly.

Most animated films do not feature such satire, so I'm not sure why you're acting as if they do. Additionally, most satires stem from governmental oppression rather than exposure of society's self-inflicted flaws, and also, as I said in my review, the movie was able to criticize societal behavior while still presenting the overall good spirit of people and making the message a hopeful one, celebratory rather than disdainful of humankind, another thing pretty rare for satires.

Most animated films, sure, but "society's self inflicted flaws" have been magnified greatly in recent times. Furthermore, everyone knows that humans, on the whole, are fat, lazy, and ignorant, so nothing new there. (For an animated example, Chief Wiggum motioning for someone to bring him a hot dog while leaning back in a posture that suggests both gluttony and helplessness comes to mind).

As far as "hopeful" and "celebratory" depictions go, isn't that what most people have come to expect from animated films?

"Somehow comes back to life"? The entire point of that plot turn was to illumine the theme of love (of each other and of our planet) renewing what could be left as a broken, dim shadow of its former self. Nothing remains perfect forever, but this ending with WALL-E and EVE shows that a return to former glory is possible for WALL-E, humanity, and the planet, if only these things are given the love and attention they require to grow and thrive and give that love and attention back in return.

Symbolism may have been added, but the general concept has been seen plenty of times. Similar tactics were used in 'The Jungle Book', that movie you hate.

I'm personally thankful that the movie wasn't laden with jokes. I prefer standard cutesy filler to attempts at "hip, modern" gags that most current animated movies are guilty of interjecting at even the most inopportune times. "Wall-E" could have easily, easily been a victim of these aforementioned gags, due to its future setting and satirical nature. But did we see iPods ruling the world or anything of the sort? Nope. What we got instead were classic, simple gags that fit perfectly with the situations. None were trying to be overly-clever or grandiose; none felt written or forced; they all just flowed with the piece nicely and offered some innocent chuckles, nothing more and nothing less.

Eve looks like an Ipod, but I digress:

You condemn current Simpsons for the repetitive, unoriginal nature of it's humor, but when jokes of the same category are used on 'WALL-E' and don't get in the way, they're "classic". They might not subtract from the story, but they're certainly not adding anything.

I don't know when was the last time character designs have been so expressionistic while remaining understated, or the last time they have been so widely connected with. One scene that comes to mind as impressive is the ending with the emotionless WALL-E. His design barely changed, yet his internal transmogrification was easily felt and effortlessly conveyed through subtle lighting, angles, et cetera.

I'll give you that one.

[Tamaki Suoh]

You are, in effect, saying that it has been done before, which proves my point exactly.

How do you figure? I was asking you if you can cite an example where it has been done before. Like TriforceBun said, nothing I know of handled romance the way "Wall-E" did.

Most animated films, sure, but "society's self inflicted flaws" have been magnified greatly in recent times.

By that argument, almost nothing is original anymore; every plot that is worth a damn has been done before, every message that is worth being spread has been spread. When people say something is original, they are usually referring to originality in the department in which the work fits. This movie is original for an animated movie, as even you agree. I don't think you can expect any work to be so original that its subject matter has never been touched upon before in any form. If that's what you expect, are we supposed to simply cease remaking familiar plots and messages in new ways? Because environmentalism has grown popular in recent years, are no more environmentalist messages warranted to be spread in art forms?

Besides, the satire wasn't preachy or even the core of the movie. It merely set up the world in which the story took place. If it was merely a regurgitation of values and ideas, then it would be unoriginal tripe. But using satire as a backdrop for a romance that parallels the satire's themes is something else altogether, and quite original for an animated movie or otherwise.

As far as "hopeful" and "celebratory" depictions go, isn't that what most people have come to expect from animated films?

The movie would've worked without the hopeful and celebratory nature of the satire, though. The happy ending between Wall-E and Eve and the fact that the people are repopulating the earth would've likely been enough to satiate the audience's need for a positive aftertaste, but instead of making Wall-E and Eve the only protagonists, the movie makes the entire human race the protagonists, which I wouldn't expect from a satire about society.

Symbolism may have been added, but the general concept has been seen plenty of times. Similar tactics were used in 'The Jungle Book', that movie you hate.

If you liked the use of symbolism and metaphor in "The Jungle Book", what makes them so unappealing to you in "Wall-E"? The fact that "The Jungle Book" preceded "Wall-E" and therefore may have used the tactics more "originally" doesn't make the usage in "Wall-E" any less meaningful. Just because similar tactics have been used before doesn't mean that they are bad or should never be used again. Some tactics just work, and that's the reason they are used more than once.

You condemn current Simpsons for the repetitive, unoriginal nature of it's humor, but when jokes of the same category are used on 'WALL-E' and don't get in the way, they're "classic". They might not subtract from the story, but they're certainly not adding anything.

Current Simpsons humor is about as far from "Wall-E" humor as it can get. Current Simpsons is overflowing with elongated, awkward pop culture references and attempts at being edgy, hip, and "original", while "Wall-E"'s jokes are just simple, innocent gags that never go out of style.

[PreciousBodilyFluids]

How do you figure? I was asking you if you can cite an example where it has been done before. Like TriforceBun said, nothing I know of handled romance the way "Wall-E" did.

There have been plenty of love stories in animation (Beauty And The Beast being the most prominent example) as well as live action, which I'm also reffering to. You love this one's simplistic nature, but it's far too devoid of any original elements to be interesting. It may not have many glitches, but it's squeaky clean exterior does not excuse it's empty core.

By that argument, almost nothing is original anymore; every plot that is worth a damn has been done before, every message that is worth being spread has been spread. When people say something is original, they are usually referring to originality in the department in which the work fits. This movie is original for an animated movie, as even you agree. I don't think you can expect any work to be so original that its subject matter has never been touched upon before in any form. If that's what you expect, are we supposed to simply cease remaking familiar plots and messages in new ways? Because environmentalism has grown popular in recent years, are no more environmentalist messages warranted to be spread in art forms?

The film's environmentalist message is basically this:

"Mankind has destroyed the environment and won't be able to save it unless it get's off it's collective ass and does something."

I've seen that message relayed in textbooks, news, tv shows, and movies throughout my entire life. While it's point is perfectly valid, it's lost all of it's entertainment value.

Besides, the satire wasn't preachy or even the core of the movie. It merely set up the world in which the story took place. If it was merely a regurgitation of values and ideas, then it would be unoriginal tripe. But using satire as a backdrop for a romance that parallels the satire's themes is something else altogether, and quite original for an animated movie or otherwise.

Portraying all humans as worthless blobs dependent on technology to serve their basic needs seems preachy to me. Oh wait.....that's already happened. Cutting edge satire, for sure.

The satire and romance both lack distinction, so using the satire as a backdrop doesn't help, no matter how original it is in concept.

The movie would've worked without the hopeful and celebratory nature of the satire, though. The happy ending between Wall-E and Eve and the fact that the people are repopulating the earth would've likely been enough to satiate the audience's need for a positive aftertaste, but instead of making Wall-E and Eve the only protagonists, the movie makes the entire human race the protagonists, which I wouldn't expect from a satire about society.

'A Bug's Life', anyone?

If you liked the use of symbolism and metaphor in "The Jungle Book", what makes them so unappealing to you in "Wall-E"? The fact that "The Jungle Book" preceded "Wall-E" and therefore may have used the tactics more "originally" doesn't make the usage in "Wall-E" any less meaningful. Just because similar tactics have been used before doesn't mean that they are bad or should never be used again. Some tactics just work, and that's the reason they are used more than once.

I don't like the Jungle Book. I was only using it as an example of WALL-E's derivative nature. The tactics were insultingly shallow and crowd pleasing in 'The Jungle Book', and it wasn't much more effective with robots. Once again, I've seen the same kind of thing too many times.

Current Simpsons humor is about as far from "Wall-E" humor as it can get. Current Simpsons is overflowing with elongated, awkward pop culture references and attempts at being edgy, hip, and "original", while "Wall-E"'s jokes are just simple, innocent gags that never go out of style.

Current Simpsons and 'WALL-E' both have horribly repetitive, cliche'd humor and that's as far as the similarities go.

You have a point, but 'WALL-E's humor neither adds or subtracts, making it effective, but empty.

[kupomog]

In the beginning, ______'s the cold, paranoid, and short-tempered _____ until _____ inadvertently teaches him/her humanity to love.

That sounds like every anime ever, haha. Or really any cartoon wherein "opposites attract" and there tend to be...way too much of those. That said, it really is recycled tripe when they do it down to the lines they say and expressions/gestures they make. I have faith in Pixar and am hugely looking forward to this, especially with all the positive reviews. In all seriousness I can kind of understand where Caiaphas is coming from but I soooo don't care

I want to see thiiiiis!

[TriforceBun]

^^^You there, exit this spoiler-filled thread and go see the movie before you learn way too much about it!

The film's environmentalist message is basically this:

"Mankind has destroyed the environment and won't be able to save it unless it get's off it's collective ass and does something."

I've seen that message relayed in textbooks, news, tv shows, and movies throughout my entire life. While it's point is perfectly valid, it's lost all of it's entertainment value.

I didn't think the film was about the environment so much as mankind's death of individuality and humanity. Yeah, there were mounds of trash and the symbolism of the plant, but it felt like more of a means to an end to get to the movie's main theme: humans essentially being "big babies" due to technology increasingly making life easier, and consequently losing their individuality. And of course, WALL-E, a robot, did have the personality to help out the now-robotic humans. A great line in the movie was the captain's, "I don't want to survive--I want to live!" It sums up the movie's theme really well--not something as stupidly basic as "don't litter," but the rather unique and relevant "don't let robots live your lives for you." It's a great little uplifting theme for the film.

[eddie]

fucking 16-year-olds

[kupomog]

^^^You there, exit this spoiler-filled thread and go see the movie before you learn way too much about it.

Andy showed me the Wiki article last night~
I actually wouldn't have bothered seeing this until a DVD was out, but reading the synopsis on Wiki really makes me want to see it much, much more. Same happened with Ratatouille because I didn't really pay attention to it until after the DVD was out and I ended up wishing I had seen it sooner because I loved it. Spoilers are never a problem for me honestly.

[Chou]

I just got back from seeing it and I really enjoyed it. I don't think it's my favorite Pixar movie, but it's definitely a powerful piece of work. The animation was stunningly beautiful from start to finish (the credits were great to look at, too). The use of color was fantastic; with a lot of soft reds and browns for Earth and blues, whites, and purples for the slicker Space setting. The settings were just gorgeous and detailed, to be expected from Pixar but this film took it to a new level. They did a great job on Earth in particular. I loved the rusty, dust-covered atmosphere that generally gave the impression of old and worn-down. And I also love how you get the sense that Wall-E, despite the dystopia, is alone but still happy. It's even a little heart-breaking. He finds joy out of things we wouldn't get as much joy out of; it makes him a really lovable character. Wall-E is essentially a brilliant creation made to cover up for human laziness, I guess you could say he is a compromise of strengths and flaws but ends up being the most human of them all. His curosity and capability gives him a humanity the human characters didn't even have. Another thing I really liked was the dialogueness in the first half of the movie...it seems like a lot of cartoons need to have talking all the time but quiet moments can make for some very effective scenes.

The relatioship between EVE and Wall-E was really sweet. The parallel between them and their worlds was also well-done, with EVE being cold and self-sufficient and Wall-E being a lot more naive and hard-working. The gags between them were cute, still showcasing how different their two worlds are. It's funny how a dystopia gives off a warmer feeling than a utopia, if only because of Wall-E. The utopia was a satire of America's technological advancements and downfalls, like how our designs are becoming sleeker but at the same time, health is starting to deteriorate. I sort of liked it better in the first half with EVE and Wall-E being the only characters and not a lot of dialogue but it was necessary for them to add in the humans. The message of the movie was clear but it didn't detract from Wall-E and EVE's story. The touching bond they made showed that maybe old and new can find a commonplace afterall.

5/5

[BartSimpsonfan17]

I loved the movie, give it a 5/5...I enjoyed the animation/the characters every thing. Walle was such an adorable robot, I adored him.

[Tamaki Suoh]

The satire and romance both lack distinction, so using the satire as a backdrop doesn't help, no matter how original it is in concept.

So, are you now admitting that it is original but simply not distinct? What about it wasn't distinct?

But if you are still claiming that its supposed lack originality is at the core of your disliking for it, can you name one work of art that is completely original? "Wall-E"'s concepts may have been done before in various forms, but the execution of it this way (minimal dialogue, romance mixed with satire, humanized robots, et cetera) has never been done. You can't claim that it's unoriginal simply because romance and environmental satire have been done before; it doesn't make sense to say that at all, because like I already said, almost any plot worth a damn has been done before. The fact remains that these particular plots and this particular execution of them are extremely rare. But even if--for some reason--you think that the story is intolerably unoriginal, were you really not charmed, amused, interested, or brightened by any of it? It didn't even make you feel good or smile or entertain you? If so, I guess there's no changing that, but I find it hard to believe that you didn't even find Wall-E to be a likable, adorable character.

[Beast]

Caiaphas, can you name one work of art that is completely original? "Wall-E"'s concepts may have been done before in various forms, but the execution of it this way (minimal dialogue, romance mixed with satire, humanized robots, et cetera) has never been done. You can't claim that it's unoriginal simply because romance and environmental satire have been done before; it doesn't make sense to say that at all, because like I already said, almost any plot worth a damn has been done before. The fact remains that these particular plots and this particular execution of them are extremely rare. But even if--for some reason--you think that the story is intolerably unoriginal, were you really not charmed, amused, interested, or brightened by any of it? It didn't even make you feel good or smile or entertain you? If so, I guess there's no changing that, but I find it hard to believe that you didn't even find Wall-E to be a likable, adorable character.

Even though I haven't yet seen Wall-E, that's 100% completely correct.

"The Lion King", my favorite movie ever and arguably the greatest modern animated film, is based on "Bambi" and "Hamlet", and some say even "Kimba the White Lion"; yet it's a fantastic, brilliant work of art in every regard.