I adored WALL-E, both the movie and the character. I have to warn you, I could go on and on about it.
Don’t worry, I won’t.
I believe WALL-E brings together high art with its literary themes and low art with its mass entertainment. It tells a good, rich story that at once had me laughing, crying, and hoping, and examines themes that challenge philosophies and ideas of what is best morally and politically for culture.
I cried. Yes, I did. I love WALL-E even more than I loved Short
Circuit. Yes, I absolutely believe robots can fall in love. And
all I have to say is "I told you so." Yup, I did. I told you musicals can save the world. So strike up the band, my friends.
Speaking of, I love the music they used in the movie.
The story never once falters. It captures my attention and holds it. I thought the ending was cut a little short, but that’s okay. It’s still playing in my mind. In fact, the characters remain with me. I walk around the corner from my office and expect to see WALL-E (no comment from the peanut gallery on the mess he should be cleaning up).
Writers, pay attention: Pixar was able to send a message without preaching. Instead it
engages us with excellent characters, with their needs and wants and
struggles. The movie is not sentimental but emotional. The theme is found in backdrop but also found in the relationship between WALL-E and EVE and with the choices they have to make (what are their directives?). It has a perfect combination of engagement, entertainment, and evaluation (do I get 50 points for the alliteraion?). In fact, as I mentioned to Gordon yesterday, I’m calling that the Pixar factor from henceforth.
WALL-E left me feeling hopeful, like I can make a difference, and that difference starts with caring for the people around me and for the world around me (which sounds very Christian to me considering the second greatest commandment and our "directive" given in Genesis 1:28 to take care of the garden). The upside of The Road perhaps?
Now, for your entertainment, here’s a short animated film by Pixar:
