For some lore on this review series
Technically I have seen Wall-E prior to this blog review series. However the first time I watched Wall-E on small TV and I was half paying attention. The next two times it was put on in the background so again I didn’t really pay much attention. I think when the movie started I tried to watch it in earnest and then something distracted me away from the cute robot.
So really the fourth time was really the first time I actually payed attention to this movie. And is Wall-E actually worth mine or anyone’s attention?
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The Cute Robot with the Big Eyes
The answer is yes, Wall-E is worth mine attention and everyone else’s attention too.
Wall-E has the right balance of sophistication in its subject matter that is very easy to understand. Many of themes are presented an overt but there is enough depth and nuance to read into the on broad superficial level or one could delve deeper. I’m not saying the symbolism or Wall-E’s presentation of its theme are vapid, I’m saying they are easy to understand like shallow water near a shoreline. One can have perfectly lovely time hanging out with this movie’s theme by the dock or you can wade out into deeper waters and uncover deeper symbolism and have the same level of entertainment. It’s a quiet genius that this movie flexes for its audience.
WALL-E said “Ta-Da” and that’s all you need
Another great aspect of Wall-E is that the beginning of the movie is very nearly a silence film, in that there is limited dialogue and every thing I conveyed with the animation and the stand track. It’s not devoid of spoken lines but it’s a while before Wall-E himself speak. It’s a really a testament to powers of animation of visual storytelling and Pixar skills. The beginning is very compelling.
Cute Robots in Love plus a Plot!
Full-disclosure, the past few times I watched Wall-E, I more or less checked out when WALL-E and EVE reached the Axiom but really it might have been when EVE went into stasis with the plant. So in my head I thought I didn’t really like the movie once the narrative shifted to the Axiom and as result I never caught why EVE had that red cable linking her “heart” to her “head” and the broken robot side-plot I entirely missed.
In truth, no I didn’t hate the scenes in Axiom and I liked the broken robot brigade or the rouge bots of the repair ward. My favorite is the umbrella or BRL-A.
While there are few highlights to Axiom scene the scenes of WALL-E on earth with his pet cockroach yearning for love that he only comprehend through Hello dolly and meeting EVE are magical and defiantly elevate the movie and highlight the strengths of animation as a medium.
The plot is fairly straight forward. It’s an environment story that is more reverent today with the stranglehold that capitalism and screen usage has on humanity. Though I do question is humanity is always locked into their screen and not earning capital why does the Axiom use resources to power the ads? The only person on the Axiom is seems to have a job is the captain and that is more for show as AUTO is in charge along with the ship’s computer. Not saying it’s a flaw that breaks the movie, more of a puzzler.
A Romance for the Ages
While plot continues to be relevant what makes the movie are the leads, the titular Wall-E (Waste, Allocation Load Lifter Earth-Class ) and EVE (Extra-terrestrial Vegetation Evaluator.) They are a classic opposite attraction story. A Think Pad in love with an Macbook or a more likable relyo.* Mind You I never really disliked that pairing but Wall-E and EVE are more universally likable despite the similarities.
Wall-E is this scrappy human-loving robot with wide emotive eyes and pet cockroach. Wall-E also a bit like Ariel is his love for odd human items as well as adores snippets from Hello Dolly.
Also is just so very cute in his/their interactions with EVE. It’s hard not to love the cute robot.
EVE despite their/her directive being to find and protect vegetation has beautiful, graceful delicate design and is a complete and utter reactive hot-head. EVE does have a cute laugh though.
It’s also the more impress since these two do not have much in the way of complex dialogue. They do speak but it’s very short. Wall-E also scarifies himself for both EVE’s directive and humanity’s return to Earth even though EVE was willing to forgot her programing to be with WALL-E. It’s just such a wholesome beautiful love story. The fact that this romance is done without that much dialogue again is yet another testament to Pixar’s capacities with the medium and visual storytelling.
An Ipod and a VHS tape is used to play Hello Dolly to which is where Wall-E’s concept of romance comes from and how EVE also comes to understand it so the method of playing the movie is a reflection of the character themselves.
Final Musings
By all accounts the scenes on the Axiom are a less interesting than the first act but WALL-E and EVE’s unique characters and their relationship make up or it making or a lovely and engaging movie that has lot of warmth coupled with important themes.
The more I think about that one the more flip side they are. EVE’s “kiss” revises Wall-E where Rey kisses Ben/Kylo and he dies…..
Also I side note at first I was annoyed that the movie that WALL-E uses as his basis for love was Hello Dolly mainly because I found that movie a SLOG to watch but now I don’t care. Odd really that they only use two scened and it’s side characters. The Hello Dolly usage has grown on me and I think it works with the contrast of the setting and narrative. Though it’s impressive that a VHS and an IPod work 800+ years after peak usage. There is your sci-fi fantastical element.
