Pixar films need a disclaimer: Not for kids under the age of seven. While WALL-E is a brilliantly executed film, the computer animation titan’s latest picture just can’t hold the attention span of youngsters and even some fidgety adults. While the film is a beautiful homage to the silent era of motion pictures, the limited use of dialogue will likely render the pic unwatchable for rug rats.

WALL-E is the last surviving robot on a desolate planet Earth overrun by garbage. While working to achieve his directive of cleaning the planet, something unexpected happens to WALL-E, he develops a human personality. Through collecting relicts of our lost civilization, WALL-E has become attracted to the human disposition and begins using umbrellas, enjoying the company of a pet, watching bad musicals amongst partaking in many of our other quirky habits. When a scout robot comes down to Earth searching for signs of life, WALL-E falls head over heels for the technologically sleek EVE. Afraid of losing the “girl” of his dreams, WALL-E follows EVE to the far corners of the universe, leading him on a wild adventure that will not only help him win over his female companion, but save the human race from the excesses of consumerism and laziness. 

Andrew Stanton, the director of Pixar’s super successful, underwater adventure Finding Nemo, has again created a flawlessly executed animated project. However unlike Nemo, which could be called a traditional computer animated flick (Now that’s a oxymoron…), WALL-E experiments with an extremely different kind of storyline. With very little dialogue throughout the duration of this science/fiction, romance epic, WALL-E is going to be a tough challenge for some audiences. Luckily this Buster Keaton meets Johnny 5 meets HAL 3000 experiment works exceptionally well making WALL-E one of, if not the most memorable character Pixar has created yet.

Accompanying the genre specific computer animated film is a bevy of nods and winks. While the physical comedy is obviously a throwback to silent legends like the aforementioned Keaton and Charlie Chaplin, Stanton cutely pays homage to science fiction giants like 2001: A Space Odyssey and Star Wars in quite memorable ways.

Speaking of Star Wars, sound designer Ben Burtt has again done an outstanding job helping to create a world of sounds for WALL-E. The man responsible for making R2D2 the lovable trashcan that he is not only voices Pixar’s titular ‘bot, he constructed every clink and clang in the picture. WALL-E is an even richer film thanks to Burtt’s incredible talent.

However what is most remarkable about WALL-E is the jaw dropping animation throughout the film. With each passing picture Pixar continues to evolve their craft. WALL-E is by far their most cinematic looking movie yet. With gorgeous camera moves, slick snap zooms and rack focuses, Stanton has made a film that looks every bit as good as the story that plays out. From their unnerving vision of a Post Apocalyptic Earth to the wonders of the final frontier, Pixar has created a true visual feast.

While the picture does indeed pick up in its second half, for many viewers the slow nature of WALL-E might be too little, too late. Audiences who fear young, uninterested viewers ruining their theatrical experience should indeed opt for later showings of Pixar’s latest. However for audiences who can appreciate the unique visual storytelling, WALL-E is Pixar’s most rewarding and visually stunning masterpiece yet.

-Joe Russo

Click Here to Read the Interview with Director Andrew Stanton!!!!

Click Here to Read The Massie Twins Review of WALL-E!!