WALL-E (2008)

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"Pixar perfect once again!"

Disney's reacquisition of Pixar studios a few years ago has proven a wise investment. With Pixar continuously defying all the odds by outdoing themselves with each film they produce, Disney can easily grab the binoculars and see dollar signs a great distance into the future. Some wonder how Pixar does it. How do they grind out hit after hit without missing a step? It's quite simple really, Pixar finds, and surrounds themselves with real filmmakers that truly love the projects they're making. These true masters of the cinematic art form pour themselves into their work. They sweat, bleed and truly care about every single nuance, every detail of the story, be it character development, visual style, or sound, these filmmakers place their personal stake (and stamp for that matter) on every one of these various Pixar films. This formula has worked wonders, and remains a model for other picture houses to mold themselves after. If you pick talented filmmakers with original concepts and stories, and make the movie theirs with your visual effects resources at their disposal, amazing things will happen. Pixar's most recent release WALL-E is the best example yet of what new concepts, great writing, and true filmmaking can accomplish with the full creative backing of the studio producing the film. WALL-E is to date, the most dazzling, and visually stunning film Pixar has released. Now I know what you're thinking, WOW! That's a strong statement, and yeah it is, but I truly mean it. It leaves The Incredibles, Monster Inc., Ratatouille, and Cars in the dust. This film has opened all new doors, and expanded all possibilities in the realm of taking fully computer-generated films as seriously as any live action cinema. Every so often a character or film comes along and sets the precedent, and I can tell you, as I was sitting there watching this film, I started to get the feeling that it was special. Special in the same way an E.T. is special, in the same way Jurassic Park or The Matrix was special. When you know what you're watching is unlike anything that's been done, it's special. I don't think I'll ever forget this trip to the theatre, it certainly turned out to be unique (kinda like WALL-E). I bought my ticket and showed it to the theatre attendant to get in, and they were handing out WALL-E bracelet watches so I grabbed one (for my niece of course), and then I walked into the theatre. It was packed (as any Disney Pixar film would be on opening day) full parents who had taken the kids. Now just as a quick note, WALL-E hasn't been over-marketed like some of Disney's films. I've only scene a couple previews to it in the last five months or so, so its no bull when I tell you I really had no idea how it was going to be. The only thing I knew that's pretty much a guarantee is that Pixar puts out great family films that everyone in the family can really enjoy, not just suffer through mind you, but also genuinely enjoy. All that being said I sat down for the movie (two young kids behind me kicking the back of my seat with parents paying no attention) and got as comfortable as possible and waited for the film to start. Now the thing I like about Pixar movies is that they have fully CG animated shorts before the show, so after the previews they had this really funny short about a magician and his hungry rabbit who goes on strike during the magic show demanding he be given his carrot. Really funny stuff involving a magic hat. After that the film started and the real magic began. I really don't want to give much about this movie away. I can tell you without a doubt it's the best movie I have seen so far this year, and one of the most enjoyable movies I have EVER seen. WALL-E will be a character icon from here out. This movie is going to spread like a wild fire, make a billion dollars and I'm sure be showered with accolades, awards, and notoriety, but I don't care about any of that. I rate a film based on its ability to stir within me some type of reaction. An hour into this film I was completely engaged, the settings, characters, and imagery, just amazing, and just as the film was ready to shift gears and race towards its conclusion, the reel ran out, the lights came up, and the pre-film trivial pursuit I'm sure you are all familiar with started to roll on the screen. The projectionist had missed the spot in the film that indicates when you're supposed to change over to the next reel. When this happened, only one word could possibly describe it...CHAOS! Kids were screaming, "Where's WALL-E Daddy, where's WALL-E Mommy" and they weren't the only ones, grown adults were dropping "F" bombs they were so angry the movie had stopped. Suddenly a theatre employee showed up and apologized and said it would only be a couple minutes. So we all waited semi-patiently, for the film to resume. Twenty minutes passed. Now I've seen a couple things in my short life, but as my chair was being nervously bombarded with kicks from a seven year old who was pretty much ready to swallow his tong from being so beside himself with impatience, I swear to you the six year old kid sitting in front of me looked at his father and said, "Daddy if you don't get the people to make WALL-E come back I'm gonna knock your teeth out." Now I don't know if it was lucky for the kid or lucky for the Dad, but right at that moment WALL-E showed back up. Scout's honor that's how it went down, and I will never forget it. The conclusion of WALL-E was worth the wait, and it too is a film that will be remembered for ages to come. This film is really special, and can be called an instant classic right out of the gate. Whether you have kids or not, go see this film about a little robot who can dream, love and triumph over adversity. Qualities anyone can relate and should aspire to.