Books, Films, and Other Diversions
Wall-E
July 07, 2008
I know this movie came
out nearly two weeks ago (as I write this), but, I
finally got around to seeing it. Wall-E (in addition to having one of
the best websites for a movie, ever) was a really
enjoyable movie for me.
Pixar, with the exception of a few movies, has generally produced films that I've thoroughly enjoyed. At face value, the incredibly sophisticated computer animation is pure eye candy; and, kids love that stuff. Underneath, there's a larger story that even the best well read of adults could appreciate. Wall-E joins many of the other films in this regard.
Wall-E is set 700 years into the future. The Earth is full of trash and a lone robot continues to do it's job: cleaning up the Earth. Humans have left Earth for a "five year" cruise on the Axiom mega-cruise space ship. The trip has turned into a 700 year venture. The cruise ship is furnished and run by Buy N' Large, seemingly the only corporation on Earth at the time of the ship's departure. Without giving away the plot (which is really good), there's a lot of great twists and a satisfying, happy ending.
Wall-E presents a bleak picture of the course of humanity. Once we see humans on board the Axiom, we see them in hover chairs in a virtual, isolated reality. They consume all of their food in liquid form "in a cup." They are all obese from not having to work, or better, even do any basic life tasks--computers and robots do it for them. It kind of made me wonder, is this the course we are headed for?
The visuals are stunning. I think this is the most visually pleasing of the Pixar films. The voice of Wall-E was credited to Ben Burtt, who came up with all of the original, vintage sound effects in the Star Wars saga. Hearing Wall-E's voice and watching his eyes are worth the price of admission.
I haven't gotten out to the movies as much as I hoped I would this summer. Of the three movies I've seen, Wall-E has been my favorite. The other one's were really good, too. I remember reading that there was skepticism as to how good this movie season would be. It's been pretty good so far. I don't know much about movie awards, but I'm sure Wall-E will do well.
Pixar, with the exception of a few movies, has generally produced films that I've thoroughly enjoyed. At face value, the incredibly sophisticated computer animation is pure eye candy; and, kids love that stuff. Underneath, there's a larger story that even the best well read of adults could appreciate. Wall-E joins many of the other films in this regard.
Wall-E is set 700 years into the future. The Earth is full of trash and a lone robot continues to do it's job: cleaning up the Earth. Humans have left Earth for a "five year" cruise on the Axiom mega-cruise space ship. The trip has turned into a 700 year venture. The cruise ship is furnished and run by Buy N' Large, seemingly the only corporation on Earth at the time of the ship's departure. Without giving away the plot (which is really good), there's a lot of great twists and a satisfying, happy ending.
Wall-E presents a bleak picture of the course of humanity. Once we see humans on board the Axiom, we see them in hover chairs in a virtual, isolated reality. They consume all of their food in liquid form "in a cup." They are all obese from not having to work, or better, even do any basic life tasks--computers and robots do it for them. It kind of made me wonder, is this the course we are headed for?
The visuals are stunning. I think this is the most visually pleasing of the Pixar films. The voice of Wall-E was credited to Ben Burtt, who came up with all of the original, vintage sound effects in the Star Wars saga. Hearing Wall-E's voice and watching his eyes are worth the price of admission.
I haven't gotten out to the movies as much as I hoped I would this summer. Of the three movies I've seen, Wall-E has been my favorite. The other one's were really good, too. I remember reading that there was skepticism as to how good this movie season would be. It's been pretty good so far. I don't know much about movie awards, but I'm sure Wall-E will do well.