A belated review: WALL-E

Let me start with some apologies. Firstly, I would like to apologise for the lateness of this review. I am well aware that WALL-E has long since disappeared from theatres, and has even had a presence in DVD retailers for a considerable period. However, due to the general busy nature of college, work etc.., and because it took a recent second viewing of the film to truly appreciate it, it has taken a long time to sit down and write this (bound to be gushing) review.

Secondly, I would like to extend my sincerest apologies to the great country of America. Regular readers may recall an article I wrote a while ago bemoaning the lack of mature American animation. Well, I now concede that said argument may have been a little premature, as WALL-E has single-handedly given me renewed hope in the US’s ability to produce animated features that can compete on an international level.

2008, looking book, was indeed an exemplary year for animation. With the stunning Persepolis, the challenging Waltz with Bashir, the engaging Girl Who Leapt Through Time and the playful Kung Fu Panda all receiving Irish releases, it was a good year for the medium. However, as impressive as these achievements were, it was a little robot’s adventures that proved to be the highlight. It is almost a cliché at this point that Pixar tend to outdo themselves at every juncture, but WALL-E is probably their most important film since Toy Story 2 (or at least The Incredibles) and perhaps their single greatest achievement to date.

The story is a simple one: WALL-E is the last robot left on Earth, stuck cleaning up the consumerist mess of humanity. When EVE falls from the sky on a secret mission, WALL-E – a rusty, old fashioned but reliable little machine – is enamoured by the presence of this sleek and modern ‘female’ (although I’m pretty sure gender doesn’t apply to robots). When EVE is forced to return home, WALL-E follows her on a truly spectacular galaxy wide set of misadventures.

It is important to address the major misconception of WALL-E: silence. Indeed, the film already threatens to be misunderstood based on the fact that the two main characters can only make around three sounds. And yes, the first act is a largely dialogue free affair, with the occasional announcement from a talking billboard (the announcer, president of the sinister BNL corporation, is played by Fred Willard in amusing and effective live action sequences). Indeed, many I’ve talked to have criticised the lack of banter, and in the shop I work in WALL-E is always disappointingly left on the shelf in favour of alternative, wise cracking protagonists.

However, the lack of dialogue is the bravest, and most admirable, decision of the filmmakers. Andrew Stanton and co. have created a protagonist who doesn’t need to say anything. Yes, WALL-E is a ridiculously cute creation (look at those eyes!) but his motivations are also completely engaging from the outset. WALL-E is just a lonely, curious machine, taking solace in old musicals and the eventual companionship of EVE. ‘He’ doesn’t need to talk – everything he does is completely understandable and believable. He is a universal protagonist, designed to appeal to everyone, and a damn effective one at that.



The whole ‘no talking’ hype that arose before release is also pretty inaccurate once you get past the opening act, and WALL-E travels to the spaceship holding the obese survivors of the human race (one element of the film that was subject to considerable controversy). Here there is plenty of chatting, with the ship’s captain – voiced by Curb Your Enthusiasm’s Jeff Garlin – and others trying desperately to return to Earth. It is here that another side of the story emerges. While the earth sequences acted as a friendship story of sorts, the rest becomes a pretty scathing satire on the wastefulness and laziness of society. Yes, WALL-E still remains the protagonist, struggling to protect EVE and adjusting to his new surroundings. But the film also shows a well-realized future society, with the lazy inhabitants unable to move from their constantly moving television chairs, routinely buying new colours for their generic jumpsuits when the advertisements tell them to. When finally awoken from their daze, on of the characters asks “We have a pool?”. These characters have never had the chance to learn about fun, friendship, love or beauty, instead relegated to a life of ‘cupcakes in a cup’. In this sense, Garlin’s captain acts as an engaging supporting character, slowly discovering the wonders of Earth through the ship’s computerised encyclopedia.

Considering this is a mainstream children’s movie, such social commentary is very brave indeed, and the anti-consumerist and environmentalism themes are indeed more universal and engaging that a hundred Al Gore slide shows. If we want to show kids the benefits of looking after the planet, is there any more effective way than having a likable cartoon robot illustrate it? And yes, there is of course the irony that such a scathing, anti-consumerist satire was produced by Disney, and there are sure to be millions of pointless WALL-E toys and consumables produced. But fuck it, Pixar have created a pretty damn intelligent movie.

As intelligent as it is, WALL-E is also a ridiculously entertaining film. There is plenty of comic relief – a highlight comes in the little cleaning robot that constantly pursues WALL-E due to the presence of a ‘foreign contaminant’. The latter parts of the film feature some really touching moments, with Pixar once again proving they are the best at pulling the audience’s heart strings. The music choice is inspired, the old 50s and 60s musical numbers working extremely well (in particular the opening zoom into a trash-filled Earth). And perhaps most importantly, the animation is absolutely stunning. WALL-E’s journey as he hitches a ride on the side of a spacecraft is truly magical, proving to be a colourful and imaginative journey through space.

WALL-E is, quite simply, a masterpiece. From the little touches (the Mac user in me loves the start up jingle every time WALL-E recharges) to the powerful satire, WALL-E was not simply the best animation of 2008, it was one of the best films. With the use of a largely silent protagonist, Pixar have created a pleasantly old-fashioned, innocent and intelligent fable, and certainly one of the most mature animated features ever produced. It is a movie that can stand proudly beside Spirited Away, Persepolis and other highlights of contemporary animation. Pixar done good.