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A friend I just spoke to was under the impression I was half-and-half on WALL*E. Not in the least, I said. I'm an unamibiguous admirer top to bottom and start to finish. It's a masterpiece of its type. It's going to win the Best Animated Feature Oscar. I understand the impulse on the part of director Andrew Stanton to call it a robot love story and leave it at that, but it's a lie, of course -- a disinforming of pig-trough moviegoers who might think twice about going to a "green" movie that satirizes their lie-around, fat-ass lifestyle.

The plan seems to be working because WALL*E is going to make a lot of money this weekend. Between $52 and $57 million, according to Fantasy Moguls' Steve Mason.

A sweet, amusing and reasonably profound save-the-earth parable, WALL*E's reliance on 85% visual, mostly dialogue-free storytelling (which makes it a kind of silent film) recalls the artistry of Charles Chaplin, Harry Langdon, Jacques Tati and other others whose style of performance art has been dormant for so many decades. It lives again.

Of course, not everyone is going to understand how good this film is. A woman who saw it with me said to a young publicist on the way out, "It's nice but I was bored." So beware -- some are going to say it's not...whatever, snappily entertaining enough according to current popcorn-munching standards. Anyone who says this, trust me, is a plebe and a moron in terms of their cinematic taste buds.

Six months into 2008 and WALL*E is one of the two or three best so far, if not the best of the year. It's a major film and an occasion for enormous pride on Pixar's part.

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Posted by Jeffrey Wells on June 26, 2008 at 12:04 PM

comment #1

Unison says ...

For all I know Wall-E is amazing, but there's also a new Miyazaki film coming this year, so the Oscar could possibly be lost.

Posted by Unison at June 26, 2008 12:31 PM

comment #2

aquaon23rd says ...

I think the words "sweet" and "amusing" give the impression of a pretty good--not good or great--movie

Posted by aquaon23rd at June 26, 2008 12:33 PM

comment #3

Alan Cerny says ...

"It's a masterpiece of its type."

I'm glad you said it, I've been telling people that for the past two weeks and getting funny looks. But I hold to it regardless. I loved WALL*E.

Posted by Alan Cerny at June 26, 2008 12:44 PM

comment #4

swhitty says ...

A beautiful, beautiful movie -- and I wasn't knocked out by "Ratatouille," and was really underwhelmed by "Cars." Great work, Pixar.

Except what does it say about Hollywood that the year's best movie romance is a cartoon about a guy who looks like a forklift and a gal who looks like an Ikea trashcan?

Posted by swhitty at June 26, 2008 12:56 PM

comment #5

mjn says ...

Over at Phil Villareal is currently being excoriated for posting the sole "rotten" rating for WALL-E.

http://www.rottentomatoes.com/m/wall_e/comments.php?reviewid=1737210

Posted by mjn at June 26, 2008 1:09 PM

comment #6

LauraReeling says ...

I appreciated the message of WALL*E but thought the movie began to seriously drag once WALL*E left Earth. Too many missed opportunities for Pixar's wonderful wit and visual gags. And will someone please explain how photosynthesis could occur in a refrigerator that had been shut for 700 years? And if John's hand touching Mary's was such a revelation to those two, where did all those babies on board come from?

Posted by LauraReeling at June 26, 2008 1:26 PM

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Mgmax, le Corbeau says ...

We need a drinking game based on how long Wells can write thoughtfully about Wall-E before he starts slamming fatasses again.

Posted by Mgmax, le Corbeau at June 26, 2008 1:34 PM

comment #8

Chris Willman says ...

So these two things are certain: (1) Wall-E will, like most Pixar movies, be one of the two or three best-reviewed films of the year. (2) Its chances of being nominated for a best picture Oscar will, again, be zero.

Posted by Chris Willman at June 26, 2008 1:56 PM

comment #9

Terry McCarty says ...

Chris Willman wrote:
So these two things are certain: (1) Wall-E will, like most Pixar movies, be one of the two or three best-reviewed films of the year. (2) Its chances of being nominated for a best picture Oscar will, again, be zero.

I'm going to guess otherwise on (2).

Given Disney booster Charles Solomon's recent resurfacing today in THE LOS ANGELES TIMES to condemn Ralph Bakshi, it wouldn't surprise me to see Solomon write copious priase of WALL-E between now and the announcement of Oscar nominations.

Posted by Terry McCarty at June 26, 2008 2:16 PM

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I like this sweet, amusing and reasonably profound save-the-earth parable, WALL*E's reliance on 85% visual, mostly dialogue-free storytelling .. The Data Recovery Company

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davehogan78 says ...

I purchased the DVD yesterday. This is already the 4th time I watched this great show.. :)
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If Paris doesn't want the film shown at TIFF for whatever reason, why hasn't it been yanked altogether? Why stick with that one Ryerson showing on Tuesday, 9.9? I sense a lack of resolve.
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I think the words "sweet" and "amusing" give the impression of a pretty good--not good or great--movie
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I purchased the DVD as well... and it is terrible lol

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johnjohn2278 says ...

I really enjoyed Walle and hope that we will see a second part some time soon.

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johnjohn2278 says ...

the movie was really moving and entertaining all at once. Great movie and great script!
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kenny1968 says ...

Any time you get a movie that people can connect to at any age, you have a winner.With so many bad movies being pushed to us, i am happy to see another good one.

Posted by kenny1968 at May 18, 2011 6:37 AM

comment #29

Dr. Marika Zoll says ...

Makes me want to work in hollywood. I am an artist and heart and have so much admiration for all the special effects. What a handsome little character WALL E is. :-)Thanks for this enjoyable post.

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I just saw WALL*E and I loved it!

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Wall*e was an enjoyable int eh year 2008. He was so playful like a little kid. Like with all movies it also had a meaning behind that just touched my heart. I enjoy action thrillers more than anything ,however, movies like wall*e are a welcomed break.

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