Released in Australian Cinemas around 18th September 2008

A Movie to Watch out for

WALL-E: A Robot with a Heart

by Angela Walker

Christian Cinema.Com

One of the most memorable and romantic characters on film so far this year is a little robot named “Wall-E” (Wast Allocation Load Lifter Earth-Class). Aside from a seemingly indestructible cockroach, he is the last functioning entity left on earth.

Though the first 30 minutes or so are completely without dialog, there is enough humor and visual action to keep everyone engaged with the story. In addition to this unusual beginning, Pixar utilizes some amazing new animation technology, and, in a first for this studio, includes a live person in the story (Fred Willard).

Wall-E’s original purpose (along with thousands of other robots) was to clean up the planet that humans turned into a huge garbage dump with their materialism. In fact, Earth became so trash-bound that humans were sent on a luxury space cruise intended to last only two years. More than 700 years into that journey, humans have become big blobs without muscle mass, dependent on robots to serve them, and Wall-E has become a hopeless romantic.

During the day, Wall-E compacts trash and builds cities with the refuse, collecting mementos of humanity along the way. At night, his home is a transport truck filled with his vast collections (including cell phones, remote alarm keys for cars, and engagement ring boxes, minus the diamond ring), decorated with Christmas lights and handmade wind chimes. When he finds a VHS tape of “Hello, Dolly!” he is entranced with the idea of romance and finding someone to love.

Enter “Eve” (Extra-terrestrial Vegetation Evaluator). She’s a sleek and sexy android. She’s on a mission and is determined to complete it, to achieve her directive. When she comes to Earth, Wall-E immediately sees her and falls in love. At first, he is content to observe from afar. But when frustration overtakes her and she takes a break from her mission, he becomes bold enough to approach her.

What follows is an enchanting romance that doesn’t need words to be understood. Wall-E introduces Eve to the wonders of his world and his collections. At the center of Wall-E’s collection is his most prized find: a tiny plant growing in a cast-off shoe.

That discovery immediately activates Eve’s directive, and in obedience to it, she takes the plant, and Wall-E, into outer space. The arrival of the plant onboard the ship triggers frantic activity. Humans must decide if they’re going to exchange their lives of overindulged comfort to return to a place that’s just a far-off legend, and robots fight to maintain control that’s been gradually abdicated to them over a few hundred years.

Much like Noah sending out the raven and dove to see if there was land after the flood, the space ship has been regularly sending out robots to see when Earth could be inhabited again. And, like the unfortunate crew and passengers of the U.S.S. Minnow of Gilligan’s Island, their journey lasted longer than they originally thought. Much longer.

The animation of “Wall-E” is a fascinating blend of realism, science fiction fantasy, and cartoon. Earth is gritty and stark in its abandoned state. Space is vast, splendid and ethereal. Both seem much more real than the ship that has served the humans for so long. It’s as though there are three distinct worlds, and each is rendered differently than the other.

The music is captivating, and provides an elegant contrast to the stark harshness of the world Wall-E inhabits. Some of the best moments are seeing Wall-E mimic the song and dance routines he watches every night. The score includes an original song by Newman and rock-and-roll legend Peter Gabriel (who also performs "Down to Earth").

While director Andrew Stanton (Finding Nemo) insists that the love story is the only intentional theme, there are plenty of cautionary ecocentric messages woven into the film.

The technology that allows us to make great advances also isolates us as we plug into it and ignore those around us. Today’s treasures will become tomorrow’s trash, and if we don’t find a better way of cleaning up our trash, it could take over our world (reminiscent of the barge of radioactive materials that sailed along the East Coast, looking for a dumping ground).

“Wall-E” is at its heart a story of self-sacrificing love. Not only are Wall-E and Eve willing to sacrifice their love for each other, they’re also willing to sacrifice for the good of humankind.
Voice talent includes Jeff Garlin, Sigourney Weaver, John Ratzenberg and Kathy Najimy. Sound designer Ben Burtt supplies the basis for the voice of Wall-E, and a Pixar employee provides the foundation for the voice of Eve.