Animated Robot Captures Interest of All Humans

Wall-e

Wall-e, Pixar's latest creation about a futuristic robot, achieves perfection in nearly all aspects of film.

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written by Andy Lesser

August 26, 2008

Pixar Studios created a family-friendly reputation with its animated crowd-pleasers over the last decade, but Pixar’s latest film, Wall-e, resembles more of a crowd-mesmerizer that doesn’t just entertain a kid and his parents, but his non-conformist teenage sister, second grade teacher, cranky aunt, and grandpa’s bowling buddy.

The movie starts as Wall-e, an old, rusting, trash-compacting robot, attempts to clean up the waste of the humans who previously inhabited the earth. Much like the first few scenes of 2001: A Space Odyssey, a film Pixar clearly modeled Wall-e after, there is no dialogue in the 30 minute introduction.

The breathtaking animation makes dialogue unnecessary as one can’t help but be captivated by the film’s harrowing depiction of a future world –– a world in which one robot finds the beauty of humanity by digging through our trash.

He picks up ring boxes, lighters, tapes, Rubik’s cubes, sporks, and anything else of human ingenuity. His most prized find though, is not made from humans, but a small, green plant –– proof that the world which had been uninhabited for 700 years could foster life once again. Wall-e then gives this plant to his robotic love interest: a sleek, white, female robot named Eve whose purpose is to look for signs of life.

Eve is then taken out of earth on a rocket as Wall-e tags along on the outside. They voyage to the last human civilization in order to deliver the plant, and more importantly, the news that Earth is once again suitable for life. The robots’ adventures on the humans’ gigantic spaceship provide many cute scenes and jokes as well as the usual science-fiction commentaries on artificial intelligence and all-powerful corporations.

Wall-e achieves a perfect balance of sci-fi and kids appeal which, along with its beautiful animation and powerful messages, make the film a future staple in everyone’s movie collection.

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