I came here intending to write a glowing review of the best movie I've seen this year. However, as is my custom, I first read what others had to say. Since the movie was so good, I started reading the most negative comments first to gain perspective. I shouldn't have been surprised at what I saw, but it did take me back a bit. The majority of the negative comments turned out to be a referendum on environmental politics.
That being the case, I suppose I should declare my views going in so others can fairly evaluate what I say in light of their own perceptions. I'm not ashamed to admit I try to live a very green life. I recycle, buy wind power, etc. I've been this way since long before environmentalism became a word or even fashionable (back then, I was simply considered a "conservationist"). I am not, however, political. I promote environmental responsibility by actions rather than voting green (actually, I don't vote at all).
If everything you see is filtered through right wing glasses, then you will not like this film. I'm sure Rush Limbaugh and the staff at Fox News aren't going to be fans. Like "The Day After Tomorrow", it exaggerates (how much is debatable) to make its point. If, on the other hand, you're a certified tree hugger or you see the world through left wing glasses, then you'll love it. If you fall in the middle, you'll find a sweet, charming, unabashedly sentimental story wrapped around a cautionary tale.
When dealing with the non-human characters, "Wall-E" isn't a movie, it's a work of art - as good as any film ever made. It's incredible that Pixar has invested robots (and an insect) with such heart. The humans, by contrast are caricatures, but deliberately so. The only way I might recommend improving the movie would be to make the humans as realistic as the robots, but then that would rob the film of much of its humor. As you watch it, be on the lookout for references to other films. Some are obvious and some are more subtle, but they're all enjoyable.
If you have, or can muster up, the innocence, this is a film you shouldn't miss. I haven't seen the films for the second half of the year, but for right now, I have to wonder whether a film can be nominated for both best picture and best animated feature in the same year? From today's perspective, I believe "Wall-E" deserves both.
That being the case, I suppose I should declare my views going in so others can fairly evaluate what I say in light of their own perceptions. I'm not ashamed to admit I try to live a very green life. I recycle, buy wind power, etc. I've been this way since long before environmentalism became a word or even fashionable (back then, I was simply considered a "conservationist"). I am not, however, political. I promote environmental responsibility by actions rather than voting green (actually, I don't vote at all).
If everything you see is filtered through right wing glasses, then you will not like this film. I'm sure Rush Limbaugh and the staff at Fox News aren't going to be fans. Like "The Day After Tomorrow", it exaggerates (how much is debatable) to make its point. If, on the other hand, you're a certified tree hugger or you see the world through left wing glasses, then you'll love it. If you fall in the middle, you'll find a sweet, charming, unabashedly sentimental story wrapped around a cautionary tale.
When dealing with the non-human characters, "Wall-E" isn't a movie, it's a work of art - as good as any film ever made. It's incredible that Pixar has invested robots (and an insect) with such heart. The humans, by contrast are caricatures, but deliberately so. The only way I might recommend improving the movie would be to make the humans as realistic as the robots, but then that would rob the film of much of its humor. As you watch it, be on the lookout for references to other films. Some are obvious and some are more subtle, but they're all enjoyable.
If you have, or can muster up, the innocence, this is a film you shouldn't miss. I haven't seen the films for the second half of the year, but for right now, I have to wonder whether a film can be nominated for both best picture and best animated feature in the same year? From today's perspective, I believe "Wall-E" deserves both.