Laelaps is the blog of freelance science writer 
To put it mildly, this summer's crop of films has been a disappointment. Out of the handful of films I've seen I leave most going "Eh, it was alright," picking over the story I just saw to find something that made the $10 ticket price worthwhile. Not so with Wall-E. Even though there is almost no dialogue at all in the film ("Wall-e," "Eve," and "Directive" are the most commonly used words) it is one of the best pieces of cinema I think I have ever seen. I laughed more than at any recent comedy and at certain points I almost teared up; as I am concerned Wall-E is the best movie I've seen in theaters this year.
The film is laced with plenty of social commentary as well, the "small story" of the main characters being directly tied to a much bigger, extremely relevant plotline. I don't want to give too much away, but by the time I left the theater I felt good, like what I do can (and will) make a difference beyond my own "small story." It's a rare film that can be so personally touching, but I wouldn't think that a story about two star-crossed robots and humanity's pudgy fate would be anything but extraordinary.
Humanities & Social Science
Comments
I agree. I saw this yesterday with my son and a friend of his. It was truly an amazing film and I give huge credit to Pixar for making a movie that, as you say, had little dialog for most of the movie yet was able to keep a 4 and 5 year old attentive. This is the first movie I've seen in the theatre since the Pursuit of Happyness, and based on what I've heard from friends and seen on video, I haven't missed too much. Nonetheless, I highly recommend Wall-E too people without kids as a good movie to take a significant other to, although I suggest you go to an evening screening not a matinee if you are not bringing children.
Posted by: Lorax | June 29, 2008 11:56 AM
My daughter and I saw it Friday and liked it so much that we are going back today. It both moves and amuses.
Posted by: Elf Eye | June 29, 2008 11:57 AM
The pre-show short was also the funniest of all the Pixar shorts.
Posted by: Citizen Z | June 29, 2008 12:21 PM
This comes out in the UK in 3 weeks time, looking forward to seeing it.
If you think $10 for a film is expensive, in London you can often expect to pay 10 pounds, so that's about $20? Plus snacks and drinks, no wonder I wait for the DVD most of the time, it's usually cheaper!
Posted by: Mo Hassan | June 29, 2008 5:04 PM
Seconding what Citizen Z says. I had tears in my eyes I was laughing so much during that short. It was an interesting contrast to Wall-E.
Posted by: lorax | June 29, 2008 8:21 PM
Just got back from a viewing with my friend's 9-yr old. He mostly got it. I just had to explain a few things. Like why didn't Wall-E remember who he was after Eve rebuilt him.
Kid: How come Wall-E didn't know who he was?
Me: umm...because she had to replace his motherboard.
Kid: Then how did he remember after all?
Me: Umm...must have had some memory stored on another circuit board somewhere...
Kid: What happened to Earth?
Me: Ummm...they trashed the planet.
Kid: How did they do that?
Me: Wasteful living, making trash all the time and just throwing it away.
Kid: You mean like drinking 50 cokes and throwing away the bottles?
Me: Yeah, kind of like that...
Anyway, the movie was ENTERTAINING. And that's what we pay for.
And yes, Pixar has made the graphics so good that you can (almost) forget it's animated.
Posted by: yogi-one | June 30, 2008 12:39 AM
I will see it in a day or two, as soon as I get my bearings again. Glad to hear you liked it so much.
Posted by: Coturnix | July 1, 2008 12:43 AM