I really wanted to like “WALL-E.” I wanted to think this was the next evolution of Pixar, a new depth, a much more meaningful level. But to be quite honest, it felt like a big step back.
I don’t want to get into review territory here because you’ve all been there and done that in the three weeks since “WALL-E” release in the states. I’m only yesterday able to finally give it a look, and I don’t want to come across as willfully pissing in anyone’s cornflakes, but I did want to get my perspective out there.
I’m obviously no hater. I have expressed my appreciation for Andrew Stanton’s talent last week, as well as his work on “Finding Nemo,” my personal favorite of the studio’s output. I didn’t have high expectations either, because I always had a feeling the love-fest was probably somewhat out of hand (much as it is for “The Dark Knight”). But I didn’t expect such a surface-level experience.
I do think there is something to the accusation that the film is offensive to the obese, if only because it takes such a facile approach to the themes humans in the film are supposed to embody. The rather easy nature of the narrative seems to reflect the virtues of the early years of Pixar (during which the project saw its genesis) more than it does the Pixar of today, which has proven a penchant for layers and texture in both story and screenplay output.
I fully appreciate what the film is attempting to be, and especially, what it wants to say to kids and adults alike. That alone keeps it from the muck of typicality where animated feature films are concerned. But you grow to expect more when you’re treated to the complexity of films like “Finding Nemo” and “Ratatouille,” as well as the creativity of “Toy Story” and “Monsters, Inc.” “WALL-E” feels shallow in comparison.
I also think the love story is borderline nonexistent and that the film plays up that “Eve-ah?” line far too often for the “Awww” emotional impact. The choice to use real actors for the humans of the past doesn’t seem to reach the thematic comment I assume the filmmakers were hoping for, while the canvas of the film seems to be the least visually interesting of all the Pixar endeavors — despite the participation of Roger Deakins behind the scenes.
The things I enjoyed are the little nuances that tend to highlight and emboss the power of a Pixar film, rather than serve as a crutch to keep the narrative feeling somewhat fresh. The “woah, woah, woah” of the cleaning robot, the retirement of WALL-E to his abode at the end of a long day, the emotive power of his expressions, etc. And to be honest, the fire extinguisher bit is probably one of my favorite sequences of the year. But those touches are supposed to complement a package we are to assume would be solid in their stead.
So again, I don’t want to seem like I’m blowing a whistle or being contrarian for its own sake. Those who know me know I don’t seek out such instances. But “WALL-E” missed almost every mark for me on the way to becoming a very unsatisfying experience. “Cars” perhaps inches it out for Pixar’s least accomplished effort to date, and I’m pretty sad that’s how the cookie crumbled for me.
One guy’s opinion…
Comments
12 responses to “Not to ruffle feathers or anything”
could you clarify “The choice to use real actors for the humans of the past doesn’t seem to reach the thematic comment I assume the filmmakers were hoping for” and “But those touches are supposed to complement a package we are to assume would be solid in their stead”? specifically what “thematic comment” did you think the filmmakers were looking for? and why can’t the fire extinguisher be a vital part of the story? it’s cute AND character-driven. his curiosity for toys/artifacts saved his life. and helped him dance.
Regarding the “thematic comment,” I saw it as a play on notions of a disconnect from reality.
Your point is taken on the fire extinguisher. I just tossed it in because I wanted to mention it as a personal favorite moment and it happens to be surrounded by the cutesy complaints.
I hate to hold Pixar up to themselves as a comparison, because I understand that it is only fair to judge a film on its own merits. But with this studio, it’s kind of difficult.
Wow, I honestly could not disagree more with everything you’ve said.
However, as I respect opinions, so be it. I’m sorry.
Perhaps you’ll give it a second try now that you know what to expect?
I will certainly give it a second try. Like I said, I have a lot of respect for the effort.
Cool. :)
Interestingly enough, I wasn’t completely sold on first viewing either. I had problems with the second act on the spaceship, and I found the humans to be a disservice to what was previously a robots-only story.
However I went back to see it a second time, and my problems were entirely cleared, to say the least ;). Everything seemed to flow a lot better, and the romance between WALL-E and EVE struck me harder than it had previously, revealing itself to be the true centerpiece of the film that it always was and should always be.
WALL-E is such a character full of tender humanity, loving wonderment, and innocent beauty. His simple child-like way of seeing things inadvertently restores the lost humanity to the dying human race, and that is exactly what makes him such a perfect catalyst for this story – a story of hope, rehabilitation, love, and triumph. Watching it I felt as if I was starring into the heart of humanity, watching as the wonderfully irresistible actions of two cute robots in love was so PURE and unadulterated it was able to restore, REASSURE a whole universe. I found that absolutely inspiring.
On a second viewing I really understood how integral the humans were to the story. We start off with a robot, a lonely, strange, but entirely human and eccentric little entity, still doing his job but developing a personality. (The use of “Put on Your Sunday Clothes” as a device for his love and his longing is a stroke of pure genius). As the story progresses, this neglected product of a consumerist society is the one who is left to actually save its creators, and the gelatinous, grotesque, inhuman state of the modern-day humans serves as a striking contrast to the REAL personality of WALL-E, a personality they lack entirely. As love heals the broken and knowledge recalls the forgotten, the warm realities of living – and the human traits and triumphs that cannot be diluted – are gradually brought back upon the universe.
That’s where I completely disagree with you: that the story’s not textured or multi-layered. Along with a wonderfully natural social commentary expressed through such an original fresh way is a love story full of such real passion and tender realization that it transcends a post-apocalyptic world. Add to that an aesthetic so beyond anything animation has ever achieved, and you have transporting visual poetry. (I love how EVE represents and egg, one that WALL-E “implants” with his seed – the plant – and recreates humanity. At the very end, WALL-E and EVE can be seen standing under the tree of life, all started by that one little plant in the boot.)
Sorry for the essay. Hehehe…
Sorry I’m spouting my mouth off so much, but did you not even enjoy those haunting, poetic, richly atmospheric first 30 minutes on Earth?
“a love story full of such real passion and tender realization that it transcends a post-apocalyptic world”
You lost me here. It’s a strange thing to say, but I didn’t get the chemistry.
I did like much of the first act, yes. But it was a build-up to something that didn’t pay off. For me.
I’m hoping to finally see it tonight. Damn international distribution :(.
I actually ended up being far more dazzled by it than I expected to be – I think it’s easily Pixar’s most expansive and empathetic film so far.
But I think it’s the first 45 minutes that will really stay with me – as the story kicked into gear in outer space, I thought it became less distinctive and its social message was actually diluted by bringing humans overtly into the fold.
Still couldn’t help but be moved by it, though.
You are not alone, I had many of the smae experiances, I loved the first half hour but whent they got to Axium and the human blobs and the so blantant message to the film about consumer greed, it just went down hill, the weird ways little interactions with Wall-E made the people act more real, the malfunctioning “sidekick” robots. The captins choices felt way to quick in eays with no set-up etc… A real letdown for me, though it did remind me how good Ratatouille was so thats something.
Kris, having seen it now, I understand what you mean but I don’t agree. But I’m not irritated with your not liking it that much.
Anyhow, there were people actually walking out on this film. Walking out on a Pixar film? How low can you get?
[…] back to “WALL-E.” I just cannot understand the love-fest for this film, a position I’m sure plenty of movie-goers find themselves in […]