Pixar's "WALL•E" [Archive]

Raiders

12-18-2007, 02:30 PM

Yes.

In the traditional sense maybe, but why isn't there a separate category for animated cinematography? Or, in a general sense, best animation? The look of this film is pretty spectacular, but I would also love to see some recognition for unique animation styles, like maybe this year's Persepolis. It seems ridiculous that live action films get countless categories but animated films are relegated to only a select few (picture, writing, and score are just about the only ones... directing is a maybe). I mean, they do still have cinematography, art design and set design, it is simply drawn rather than scaled in real life. And with the amount of computer generated images and effects in today's big films, the line between the two seems ever thinning.

Oh, and this looks supremely awesome.

Morris Schæffer

12-18-2007, 03:32 PM

You know what else is overdone in movies?
Talking people.

I mean... c'mon... a little originality please.

There's something predictably cute about anthropomorphized animals that I find somewhat tiresome. American animated feature films are rarely truly for mature audiences and as much as I enjoyed Ratatouille and Happy Feet, I can't help but feel that studios are thinking about the young'uns first and foremost when coming up with these ideas. You eliminate talking people altogether and there's no industry left.

Qrazy

12-18-2007, 03:45 PM

In the traditional sense maybe, but why isn't there a separate category for animated cinematography? Or, in a general sense, best animation? The look of this film is pretty spectacular, but I would also love to see some recognition for unique animation styles, like maybe this year's Persepolis. It seems ridiculous that live action films get countless categories but animated films are relegated to only a select few (picture, writing, and score are just about the only ones... directing is a maybe). I mean, they do still have cinematography, art design and set design, it is simply drawn rather than scaled in real life. And with the amount of computer generated images and effects in today's big films, the line between the two seems ever thinning.

Oh, and this looks supremely awesome.

http://www.annieawards.org/foryourconsideration.html

Sycophant

12-18-2007, 03:52 PM

I've read interviews with Pixar's directors of photography, and while they aren't necessarily lobbying to be recognized alongside your Deschanels and Doyles, when they describe what they do, it's much more akin to the traditional work of a cinematographer rather than anything done on traditional animation, except that it takes place in virtual space. Essentially, they're programming cameras to record on a cyber stage. Looking at the trailer for Wall-E, I'm very impressed with the use of depth of field on display.

EvilShoe

12-18-2007, 03:55 PM

You eliminate talking people altogether and there's no industry left.
There would be plenty of cute little droids around to save the industry, and you know it.

Raiders

12-18-2007, 03:55 PM

http://www.annieawards.org/foryourconsideration.html

Good for them. They get one awards ceremony nobody outside film buffs knows or cares about.

Then again, trusting an organization like the Academy to pick great specifics of animation is a pretty dubious task. I suppose it is just the nature of the beast. I just wish animated films could get more recognition for their efforts from the general public.

Qrazy

12-18-2007, 03:59 PM

Sycophant

12-18-2007, 04:03 PM

Do they turn on any lights? No? END OF DISCUSSION!!! :P

I'm kidding.In a way, I'm sure you're right. But it's an interesting line of thought. I'm sure traditional cinematographers aren't going to let it happen any time soon, and I'm not sure it should happen.

It's sad, though, that there isn't enough recognition for animated films in America. Perhaps if we had more animated film period (and a little respect for the medium and its possibilities), that would change.

Oh, and they turn on virtual lights. :P

Saya

12-18-2007, 04:23 PM

New trailer: http://media.movies.ign.com/media/879/879322/vids_1.html

Adorable.

Looks awesome. Wall•E reminds of me E.T., I think it's the eyes.

Rowland

12-18-2007, 04:42 PM

What a fascinating concept this is...

Qrazy

12-18-2007, 04:50 PM

What a fascinating concept this is...

I can't tell if this is sarcasm or not.

Rowland

12-18-2007, 04:58 PM

I can't tell if this is sarcasm or not.Hah. It's not sarcasm.

Ezee E

12-18-2007, 05:07 PM

Good for them. They get one awards ceremony nobody outside film buffs knows or cares about.

Then again, trusting an organization like the Academy to pick great specifics of animation is a pretty dubious task. I suppose it is just the nature of the beast. I just wish animated films could get more recognition for their efforts from the general public.
But it still exists. The Annie Awards could probably advertise their show to the public a little more, and the films could advertise that they won these particular awards, but they don't.

I have no idea how past Annie Award shows have gone before, but I would think that a movie sweeps it every year.

Watashi

12-18-2007, 06:18 PM

The Annie Awards suck. They are like the People's Choice Awards for Animation.

Oh, and WALL-E.... Eh, it looks good.

Raiders

12-18-2007, 06:20 PM

Oh, and WALL-E.... Eh, it looks good.

I bet you couldn't even keep a straight face typing that.

Watashi

12-18-2007, 06:22 PM

I bet you couldn't even keep a straight face typing that.
It was very, very hard.

I'm promise I will never insult the Pixar Gods ever again.

*bows three times in a circle*

MadMan

12-19-2007, 01:30 AM

This film looks pretty goddamn amazing. From the looks of things the animation appears to be pretty be stunning.

Wryan

12-19-2007, 02:23 AM

I'll see it because it's Pixar and they would earn my butt in a seat for an animated film about man-on-yak bestiality.

Wall-E looks alright. I'm not totally digging on the concept although I'm sure their sound design will be intriguing.

Morris Schæffer

12-19-2007, 12:07 PM

Wall-E looks alright. I'm not totally digging on the concept although I'm sure their sound design will be intriguing.

I'm not sure how long before Wall-E will travel into space, but I like the idea of loneliness and desolation apparent in the material seen so far. Animated feature films are nearly always stuffed with numerous characters vying for the spotlight, but here it's just one little droid. In a way, it's virtually the animated version of Cast Away or I am Legend and that intrigues me so I'm hoping Pixar will have the bravado to take that idea and run with it for a major chunk of the film. If Wall-E travels into space by the first fifteen minutes, ends up on a spaceship populated with predictably zany and wildly colorful aliens and weirdos, then my enthusiasm will end up being severely muted. Probably. Frankly, he should just remain on terra firma for the remainder of the film even if that is too early a call to make.

Raiders

12-19-2007, 03:08 PM

Wall-E looks alright. I'm not totally digging on the concept although I'm sure their sound design will be intriguing.

Um, really? This is easily my favorite concept for a Pixar film yet.

Wryan

12-19-2007, 03:25 PM

Um, really? This is easily my favorite concept for a Pixar film yet.

Just doesn't do much for me...and I liked Cast Away and I Am Legend per Morris' suggestions. That's only my opinion at the moment though, may change as we see more.

Sven

12-19-2007, 03:31 PM

Um, really? This is easily my favorite concept for a Pixar film yet.

What do we know about the concept other than cute little future robot blasts off on a spaceship?

Morris Schæffer

12-19-2007, 03:40 PM

What do we know about the concept other than cute little future robot blasts off on a spaceship?

Alone on a gigantic planet, exploring as he sees fit, discovering the smallest of wonders, remnants of a once flourishing civilization. I think the sky's the limit frankly. It's like being 7 years old and being set loose in a 30-storey toy store with zero financial worries. I really like the idea of loneliness and desolation in everything I've seen of Wall-E so far, but if they must take him into outer space, then I might consider that an omen that the makers aren't sure they can sustain an entire adventure on an abandoned planet.

Sycophant

12-19-2007, 03:48 PM

Jim Hill (one of the most irritating yet informative Internet writers I read) provided ample spoilers several months back (and someone posted these at the old site, too). The film really does sound incredible, and I trust Pixar and Stanton know what they're doing here.

http://jimhillmedia.com/blogs/jim_hill/archive/2007/02/27/toon-tuesday-again.aspx FOR SPOILERS!

Sven

12-19-2007, 03:49 PM

Alone on a gigantic planet, exploring as he sees fit, discovering the smallest of wonders, remnants of a once flourishing civilization. I think the sky's the limit frankly. It's like being 7 years old and being set loose in a 30-storey toy store with zero financial worries.

Hmmmm... that seems more like an idea than concept right now.

Watashi

12-19-2007, 03:50 PM

This will be Pixar's A.I.

I have no idea how the kids are going to react the dialogue-free opening act, but they'll see it because the robot looks "cute" (which he does).

Sven

12-19-2007, 03:52 PM

Melville

12-19-2007, 06:29 PM

Who else keeps thinking "Number 5 is alive!" every time they see a picture of the robot?

Wryan

12-19-2007, 06:40 PM

Who else keeps thinking "Number 5 is alive!" every time they see a picture of the robot?

The resemblance is enough that I wonder if it's not intentional a smidge.

KK2.0

12-19-2007, 06:43 PM

This will be Pixar's A.I.

I have no idea how the kids are going to react the dialogue-free opening act, but they'll see it because the robot looks "cute" (which he does).

Ever watched Road Runner or Tom & Jerry cartoons? No dialogue, plenty of entertainment for kids and adults. ;)

KK2.0

12-19-2007, 08:46 PM

Oh man, just watched the new trailer, and i understood the cinematography talk now.

The lightning in this is stunning. However, in animation, the camera work is also an animators' job, lightning is the render guys' job so, the notion of cinematography is a bit different here.

The animation looks superb, the bits with wall-e playing with the spoils of mankind and the adorable interaction with his cockroach are wonderful. it's shows plenty of potential for silent comedy and after witnessing Remy and Linguini interaction on Ratatouille, i'm looking foward to this the most.

Lasse

12-19-2007, 10:00 PM

That looks awesomely awesome.

transmogrifier

12-19-2007, 10:41 PM

Andrew Stanton > Brad Bird

Watashi

12-19-2007, 10:48 PM

Andrew Stanton > Brad Bird
Okay?

You are the first one to mention Bird in this thread.

transmogrifier

12-19-2007, 10:51 PM

Okay?

You are the first one to mention Bird in this thread.

Where we playing Taboo?

KK2.0

12-20-2007, 04:09 PM

Hmmm...

Nemo > Ratatouille

But Bird has Iron Giant and The Incredibles so, no. ;)

Saya

02-04-2008, 11:52 AM

Wall•E Superbowl spot is up:

http://disney.go.com/disneypictures/wall-e/video_alts/

MadMan

02-05-2008, 08:11 PM

Even though the obviously not voiced by Tom Hanks and Tim Allen Woody and Buzz characters featured weren't really funny the entire thing with Wall-E was hilarious and kind of adorable. Pretty much everyone at the Super Bowl party I was at liked it and thought the spot was funny except for a few folks. I'm even more psyched to see the film now.

Raiders

02-05-2008, 08:49 PM

Even though the obviously not voiced by Tom Hanks and Tim Allen

Hm, I kinda thought they were. Maybe I'm just easily duped.

Spinal

02-05-2008, 08:52 PM

I'm anticipating this film much more than I have any previous Pixar project.

Acapelli

02-05-2008, 10:15 PM

Hm, I kinda thought they were. Maybe I'm just easily duped.
So did I.

number8

02-05-2008, 10:50 PM

I'm pretty sure they were. The two of them are recording Toy Story 3.

Wryan

02-05-2008, 11:25 PM

God I wish I could get into this more than I am. I'll see it for obvious reasons, but the concept just doesn't do anything for me. So he's a robot and he's alone and he's really cute and he goes on an adventure. I just don't....meh.

MadMan

02-06-2008, 03:58 AM

I'm pretty sure they were. The two of them are recording Toy Story 3.Are you sure? I may have to watch it a third time but I'm pretty damn sure they didn't sound like Allen and Hanks. They sounded like people who sounded a lot like the two, but weren't really them.

God I wish I could get into this more than I am. I'll see it for obvious reasons, but the concept just doesn't do anything for me. So he's a robot and he's alone and he's really cute and he goes on an adventure. I just don't....meh.You lack heart and soul Wryan! :P

Wryan

02-06-2008, 04:48 AM

Are you sure? I may have to watch it a third time but I'm pretty damn sure they didn't sound like Allen and Hanks. They sounded like people who sounded a lot like the two, but weren't really them.

You lack heart and soul Wryan! :P

Psh. All the other Pixar trailers and teasers hit me right between the eyes. Last time I felt so meh about something it was Cars.

:lol:

Kurosawa Fan

02-06-2008, 04:52 AM

I thought Buzz sounded like Allen, but I'd be floored if that was really Tom Hanks. Sounded nothing like him.

MadMan

02-06-2008, 05:36 AM

Psh. All the other Pixar trailers and teasers hit me right between the eyes. Last time I felt so meh about something it was Cars.

:lol:Okay, far enough. I guess.

Damnit it all man your still cold. Cold as ice. Foreigner style :P

I thought Buzz sounded like Allen, but I'd be floored if that was really Tom Hanks. Sounded nothing like him.Great to know I'm not completely crazy :lol:

Wryan

02-06-2008, 06:04 AM

Damnit it all man your still cold. Cold as ice. Foreigner style :P

Oh shit, son. This umbrage will not be taken lightly. Prepare your defenses. I will come for you soon.

Dead & Messed Up

02-06-2008, 06:07 AM

MadMan

02-06-2008, 06:14 AM

Oh shit, son. This umbrage will not be taken lightly. Prepare your defenses. I will come for you soon.Bah! Your one rep point doesn't scare me!

Care to interest you in a small bribe sir? ;)

Wryan

02-06-2008, 06:21 AM

Bah! Your one rep point doesn't scare me!

Care to interest you in a small bribe sir? ;)

Insolence! I'm pretty sure I spelled that right, but anyway, umbrage and et cetera.

...

I hope you're frightened that I spelled "et cetera" correctly. I would be.

MadMan

02-06-2008, 06:23 AM

I don't shiver or tremble in fear of your language abilities!

:lol:

Raiders

02-06-2008, 05:35 PM

"Wall-e" also reminds me a bit of E. T., with his large eyes practically made to take in a new world and adventure, and his essentially childish attitude. I wonder if this film will be a Christ parable too.

I don't know about Spielberg's film being a Christ parable, but I do know that Cool Hand Luke and Au hasard Balthazar are WALL-E's favorite films.

KK2.0

02-07-2008, 02:23 PM

The voices seem right to me, why wouldn't they be?

But i wish they had a real trailer. :|

I don't know about Spielberg's film being a Christ parable.

besides his glowing heart being based on Christ's sacred heart, i also don't see where the story is a parable. He dies and ressurects? Well, Jason Vorhees does that a lot too...

Dead & Messed Up

02-07-2008, 06:02 PM

The voices seem right to me, why wouldn't they be?

But i wish they had a real trailer. :|

besides his glowing heart being based on Christ's sacred heart, i also don't see where the story is a parable. He dies and ressurects? Well, Jason Vorhees does that a lot too...

OmG! Friday the 13th is a Christ parable too!

D_Davis

02-07-2008, 07:01 PM

OmG! Friday the 13th is a Christ parable too!

D'uh! They both disapprove of drug abuse and premarital sex.

MadMan

02-07-2008, 08:37 PM

OmG! Friday the 13th is a Christ parable too!So in that case Jesus rises from the grave, only he's really pissed off and proceeds to chop up them damn sinful kids? Figures :P

Well that and what Peter told us: As we all know, Christmas is that mystical time of year when the ghost of Jesus rises from the grave to feast on the flesh of the living! So we all sing Christmas Carols to lull him back to sleep.

Ezee E

02-07-2008, 09:53 PM

I remember when we made comparisons that every movie was an allegory to Jesus' life. That was fun.

number8

02-07-2008, 10:49 PM

Hey, did you know that Last Temptation of Christ was a parable... to the life of a Christian?!

What a twist!

Silencio

02-08-2008, 07:06 PM

New trailer:

http://www.aintitcool.com/node/35551

Absolutely fantastic.

Henry Gale

02-08-2008, 11:07 PM

New trailer:

http://www.aintitcool.com/node/35551

Absolutely fantastic.

Fantastic indeed.

The one there doesn't seem to work anymore though. Hopefully this link here (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=NR2_l7fqzRw) stays up for a bit longer.

Morris Schæffer

02-09-2008, 08:29 AM

Wow! I mean, there's not a wealth of new material in that trailer, but every new thing I see makes me convinced this will be my fave Pixar after the Toy Stories.

Lasse

02-09-2008, 02:29 PM

I'm sold.

Sven

02-09-2008, 03:44 PM

I'm sold.

Yesterday, I wrote this exact same post, but then deleted it. Don't know why. But it's true. Finally, I'm sold.

MadMan

02-09-2008, 11:39 PM

Okay that latest trailer convinced me that this film will be amazing. Simply bloody amazing.

Raiders

02-10-2008, 03:55 AM

So it has now been taken down.

:frustrated:

Winston*

02-10-2008, 04:05 AM

That trailer was stunning, awe inspiring. Completely altered my perception of the world in an undeniably positive way. I have a feeling that on my death bed I'll be able to divide my life into two sections; before and after I viewed that trailer. A pity that those who have not yet seen said trailer will never be able to.

number8

02-10-2008, 04:19 AM

So it has now been taken down.

:frustrated:

*ahem* (http://www.justpressplay.net/viewarticle/seriously-great-wall-e-full-trailer/)

Sycophant

02-10-2008, 04:22 AM

When this movie comes out in the summer, I may have to avoid this place as the smell of ejaculatory fluids will surely be overwhelming in the heat.

Spinal

02-10-2008, 05:13 AM

When this movie comes out in the summer, I may have to avoid this place as the smell of ejaculatory fluids will surely be overwhelming in the heat.

I feel nauseous.

Watashi

02-10-2008, 05:47 AM

I think the film has potential.

Lasse

02-10-2008, 03:24 PM

Yesterday, I wrote this exact same post, but then deleted it.

So you're saying my posts are only worthy of deletion? Wait, is this an analogy for my existence? I'm only worthy of deletion?

:cry:

I think this is the trailer I've watched most times ever. I already love this film.

Wryan

02-10-2008, 03:56 PM

When this movie comes out in the summer, I may have to avoid this place as the smell of ejaculatory fluids will surely be overwhelming in the heat.

Well, I for one am only smiling politely and chuckling a few times. I thought the funniest part was the car alarm...maybe that shows how indifferent I am about the whole thing. Again, as I've said before, I'll see it (course!) but I'm still trying to wrap my head around why so many people are seeing something here that I'm not.

Scar

02-10-2008, 04:16 PM

I d/l'ed it a couple days ago on the PS3, and couldn't help but smile through the whole thing.

Spinal

02-10-2008, 04:51 PM

I think this could be a film on the level of The Iron Giant. I hope I'm not wrong.

Wryan

02-10-2008, 04:56 PM

I think this could be a film on the level of The Iron Giant. I hope I'm not wrong.

Those are bold words, my friend. Bold.

Scar

02-10-2008, 05:57 PM

Those are bold words, my friend. Bold.

Bold.

Wryan

02-10-2008, 06:42 PM

Bold.

That's a bold word, my friend. A bold, gigantic word.

Wryan

02-10-2008, 06:44 PM

Bold.

As an addendum, anyone ever look at certain words, stop, step back from them and think, "that word looks odd and makes no sense; why is it that we understand it? it looks like an alien language."

I do that all the time.

Sycophant

02-10-2008, 06:45 PM

As an addendum, anyone ever look at certain words, stop, step back from them and think, "that word looks odd and makes no sense; why is it that we understand it? it looks like an alien language."

I do that all the time.Several times a day.

Wryan

02-10-2008, 06:50 PM

Good I'm glad I'm not alone. Even with simple words like the aforebolded one. Just...kinda...left of center. Odd.

Barty

02-11-2008, 09:51 AM

The worst is umbrella. What the hell is with that word?

Scar

02-11-2008, 11:27 AM

The worst is umbrella. What the hell is with that word?

They make zombies.

Wryan

02-11-2008, 06:55 PM

The worst is umbrella. What the hell is with that word?

Taking away the connotations....."sphincter" is a prized jewel of a wtfword.

Morris Schæffer

02-11-2008, 08:03 PM

Prowess and halcyon are two odd ones. In the case of the former, why not simply powers?

Watashi

02-15-2008, 10:28 PM

http://beta.rottentomatoes.com/m/wall_e/news/1709204/

Peter Gabriel is doing the soundtrack.

KK2.0

02-17-2008, 07:43 PM

Cool but i was dreaming with an electronic soundtrack for this.

dunno why but Royksopp's 'Only this Moment' always sounded perfect to me.

Spinal

02-17-2008, 11:08 PM

http://beta.rottentomatoes.com/m/wall_e/news/1709204/

Peter Gabriel is doing the soundtrack.

This just keeps getting better. No Randy Newman songs to screw this up.

Silencio

03-12-2008, 04:16 AM

Final trailer: http://www.apple.com/trailers/disney/walle/trailer_large.html

:eek:

Sycophant

03-12-2008, 04:43 AM

Jesus Christ, this film looks gorgeous.

Wryan

03-12-2008, 05:55 AM

I'm warming up to it, but only slightly. The shopping cart gag made me laugh like hell, but it's pretty much the only thing that moved me.

Spinal

03-12-2008, 06:01 AM

I can't wait!

Watashi

03-12-2008, 06:20 AM

Um, that trailer is exactly the same as the old one.

Final trailer my ass.

Watashi

03-12-2008, 06:23 AM

Wait, nevermind. I guess I should watch the entire trailer first. Heh.

Spinal

03-12-2008, 06:24 AM

Wait, nevermind. I guess I should watch the entire trailer first. Heh.

Weak.

:lol:

Kurosawa Fan

03-12-2008, 12:44 PM

Amazing. That looks amazing.

Ezee E

03-12-2008, 01:08 PM

Amazing. That looks amazing.
well yeah.

I guess this will be my birthday movie to see now.

KK2.0

03-12-2008, 05:48 PM

my nipples explode with delight

Lasse

03-12-2008, 11:33 PM

Oh god, yes!! :pritch:

Watashi

03-18-2008, 06:41 PM

After seeing this trailer around 20 times in the theater, I know for a fact that I'm going to bawl like a girl through out the entire film. A lot.

:sad:

Sven

03-19-2008, 04:12 AM

That last bit with the shopping carts was gold. I'm excited.

transmogrifier

03-19-2008, 09:17 AM

I'm concerned from the trailer that the story doesn't really have anywhere to go once Wall.E blasts off into space - it appears your typical "save the girl" scenario, which will need to be jazzed up a lot to be worthwhile. I hope the script matches the animation, something Ratatouille resolutely failed to do.

D_Davis

03-19-2008, 02:27 PM

That looks good.

This is the first Pixar film I am actually looking forward to seeing, and for once I actually like their art design.

KK2.0

03-19-2008, 08:07 PM

I hope the script matches the animation, something Ratatouille resolutely failed to do.

:crazy:

transmogrifier

03-19-2008, 10:59 PM

:crazy:

Yeah, I couldn't understand it either; why spend so much time wonderfully animating such a lousy script?

Ivan Drago

03-21-2008, 04:36 AM

http://beta.rottentomatoes.com/m/wall_e/news/1709204/

Peter Gabriel is doing the soundtrack.

Fucking awesome. I loved his score for The Last Temptation of Christ.

megladon8

03-23-2008, 03:47 AM

Yeah, I couldn't understand it either; why spend so much time wonderfully animating such a lousy script?

That's baloney.

The script was brilliant.

Qrazy

03-23-2008, 08:22 AM

Yeah, I couldn't understand it either; why spend so much time wonderfully animating such a lousy script?

Hey now, it was a step up from Cars.

Fezzik

04-17-2008, 12:06 AM

Andrew Stanton talks Wall*E:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=yztEI8rtx6I

KK2.0

04-17-2008, 07:05 PM

removed :cry:

what's the source?

Fezzik

04-17-2008, 08:41 PM

removed :cry:

what's the source?

Damn, they removed it?

I'm not sure of the original short. The video was called a "Wall*E Featurette" but Im not sure where it originally came from.

KK2.0

04-17-2008, 10:55 PM

http://www.joblo.com/wall-e-featurette

is this one?

EDIT: yeah, it is.

ok, after that i'll stop torturing me by watching more previews, no more wall-e footage until it opens.

number8

05-15-2008, 05:50 AM

So. Awesome. (http://www.justpressplay.net/viewarticle/video-actual-wall-e-animatronic-robot/)

Fezzik

06-06-2008, 06:09 PM

It's obvious that Pixar loves the Wall*E Character. They cant stop making vignettes:

Wall*E meets...

A vacuum! http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=KZLpXRroU7I
Headphones! http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6hXjx2myAVY
A Magnet! http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qqLzKPQqCIg
A Hula Hoop! http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=51FXSBGC39k
Bouncy Balls! http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=HcbXBdIvefc

I know they're short, but hell, this is why I love Pixar. They love their creations so much..give them LIFE...

Cant wait for June 27th!

Philosophe_rouge

06-06-2008, 06:59 PM

Watashi

06-06-2008, 07:07 PM

Awesome, thanks for posting this. I can't wait to see this film. CANNOT WAIT!
Uh, I think no one wants to see this film more than me.

NO ONE!

Philosophe_rouge

06-06-2008, 07:14 PM

Uh, I think no one wants to see this film more than me.

NO ONE!
I wasn't trying to insinuate that I wanted to see it more than you. Please don't hurt me :(

Ezee E

06-06-2008, 09:12 PM

Uh, I think no one wants to see this film more than me.

NO ONE!
And that's why Barty is Rowland, and you remain Watashi.

KK2.0

06-11-2008, 03:20 PM

So. Awesome. (http://www.justpressplay.net/viewarticle/video-actual-wall-e-animatronic-robot/)

<3

I want one!!!

Wryan

06-12-2008, 12:59 PM

Some of you will be happy to know that I am becoming slightly more amused with the film at each passing moment. Small increments, though. I still don't see the big hoo-hah about it, but at this point I'm willing to say it looks cute.

Grouchy

06-12-2008, 06:58 PM

number8

06-13-2008, 04:37 PM

I was supposed to see this last night, but I forgot and missed it.

Kurosawa Fan

06-13-2008, 04:49 PM

I was supposed to see this last night, but I forgot and missed it.

Fail.

Ezee E

06-13-2008, 04:52 PM

I was supposed to see this last night, but I forgot and missed it.

Any trouble for forgetting to go to work?

Watashi

06-13-2008, 05:17 PM

I was supposed to see this last night, but I forgot and missed it.
I will kill you next month.

number8

06-13-2008, 05:35 PM

Any trouble for forgetting to go to work?

Yeah, because I missed the screening, I don't get to go to Pixar to interview Stanton on monday.

Big fail indeed.

Ezee E

06-13-2008, 07:54 PM

Yeah, because I missed the screening, I don't get to go to Pixar to interview Stanton on monday.

Big fail indeed.
iCal works great you know...

:)

number8

06-13-2008, 08:00 PM

iCal works great you know...

:)

Dude, I put it up for tonight instead of last night on iCal by mistake. When the publicist called me last night to ask why I'm not at the screening I almost shat a brick.

Ezee E

06-13-2008, 08:26 PM

Dude, I put it up for tonight instead of last night on iCal by mistake. When the publicist called me last night to ask why I'm not at the screening I almost shat a brick.
Yeah... I know that feeling.

Well, I guess the only good thing is that something like that probably won't ever happen again.

Watashi

06-13-2008, 11:36 PM

How do you just a miss a screening for WALL-E?

You better have a good excuse. And no, sex with the wife is not an excuse.

Watashi

06-13-2008, 11:52 PM

Apparently Pixar hired Roger Deakins to work as a visual consultant on WALL-E.

I'm already declaring this Pixar's masterpiece.

I just fear iosos and trans's responses.

number8

06-14-2008, 12:19 AM

How do you just a miss a screening for WALL-E?

You better have a good excuse. And no, sex with the wife is not an excuse.

I was stoned and watching Oz.

KK2.0

06-17-2008, 08:55 PM

overly positive impressions from twitch. Spoiler-free.

http://twitchfilm.net/site/view/wall-e-google-pixar-delivers-a-smash-hit-again/

Wall-E - Google: Pixar Delivers a Smash Hit Again!
Posted by Blake at 6:06pm.
Posted in Film & DVD Reviews , Comedy, Drama, Action, Sci-Fi & Fantasy, USA & Canada.

Can’t offer up a full review of the film, so here is a quick look at Wall-E.

Wall-E rocks cinema all the way back to its vaudeville roots! It’s an environmentally conscious Tati meets Kubrick opera set in a Post-apocalyptic future where mankind is nowhere to be found on the barren and toxic plains of Earth. All that remains is a highly curious heart on his sleeve robot named Wall-E and his faithful roach companion that we watch go about daily life without nary a word of dialogue. The robotic soliloquy, charm and relentless curiosity of Wall-E is pure movie magic. Of course daily life is far from boring or routine at the hands of the Pixar storytellers! Daily life soon gives way to a spiraling chain of events that is best not written about so that you, the soon to be viewer, can discover it fresh.

Wall-E is a love letter to classical science fiction cinema and is Pixar’s most accomplished and politically charged film to date, which will leave audiences begging for more and offering immense repeat viewing value.

Wall-E is a non-stop sci-fi comedy thrill ride that takes us through a cautionary tale of what, ”staying the course” might really mean for Earth hundreds of years from now if mankind cannot live in balance with the planet, its resources and suffer from over reliance of technology in our lives. It’s message of burgeoning hope and optimism that there can in fact one day be on planet Earth environmental peace and harmony without needing to Google everything we pretend to know. For summer time audiences, Wall-E, offers up a chance to beat the heat and renew both young and old with everything they love about great cinema.

Everything we love about Pixar films is proudly on display here – great storytelling, amazing digitally realized worlds and characters, biting commentary, cultural references and beating heart tales full of magic and endless imagination. With Wall-E, Pixar outdoes and out performs all of its previous tales as if it were King Kong climbing on top of the Empire State building to flex its creative muscles and proclaim their soul. They aren’t content on complacency in the digital animated film arena as their work continues to highlight them as trailblazers that take us to new unimagined heights with each film. Digital animation cinema has never been this towering before. The digital animation is so damn good here, especially where Pixar further pushes out the boundaries of what is possible, it makes you want to slap yourself. And it must be said, never in the history of film have robots been this darn exciting and fun to watch.

The short Presto that plays before Wall-E is a highly fun tale reconstructing magicians and the magic they perform, albeit here with a hungry rabbit who decides to turn the tables to get a most treasured and revered sacred bunny rabbit treat.

Russ

06-17-2008, 10:04 PM

What a track record Pixar is compiling.

number8

06-18-2008, 01:14 AM

What a track record Pixar is compiling.

Everyone needs to see The Pixar Story.

Sycophant

06-18-2008, 01:16 AM

Everyone needs to see The Pixar Story.

I'm not going to do anything that mouth tells me to.

Watashi

06-18-2008, 01:19 AM

Everyone needs to see The Pixar Story.
Dude, you had your chance to see WALL-E before everyone here and you blew it.

It's like... I don't even know who you are anymore.

number8

06-18-2008, 01:33 AM

Dude, you had your chance to see WALL-E before everyone here and you blew it.

It's like... I don't even know who you are anymore.

I blame my green hair. It's changing me. I've been going out to bars three times a week lately.

Winston*

06-18-2008, 01:45 AM

Oh damn, this isn't coming out here 'till September. Same thing happened with the rat movie. Fuck you, Pixar.

KK2.0

06-20-2008, 10:23 PM

sneak preview of the short film PRESTO

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=dV0v09U30eE

KK2.0

06-23-2008, 06:40 PM

damn! a friend of mine went to a closed screening with a group of animators and loved it, but the others complained about the story being flat, and about another detail i rather not say because it's probably a major spoiler..

ok here is it :P
he confirmed the use of live action footage

although i bet i'll love it, it's good to lower my expectations a bit.

number8

06-25-2008, 04:24 PM

It was awesome-o.

number8

06-25-2008, 04:26 PM

he confirmed the use of live action footage

That's not a major spoiler. Both Stanton and Fred Willard have talked about Willard being in the movie as a live-action person. He also appears about less than 10 minutes into the movie.

Raiders

06-25-2008, 04:31 PM

I know it's only Wednesday, but what's the deal with the lack of published reviews for this? It is being screened in quite a few places, no? The Village Voice at least already has a review up.

Watashi

06-25-2008, 06:30 PM

I had a dream last night that Armond White called WALL-E one of the worst movies he's ever seen.

True story.

MadMan

06-25-2008, 06:34 PM

I had a dream last night that Armond White called WALL-E one of the worst movies he's ever seen.

True story.You dream about Armond White? That's, um, kind of creepy. :P

Raiders

06-26-2008, 04:10 PM

http://www.slantmagazine.com/film/film_review.asp?ID=3740

Seems even more positive than the three stars indicates. Pretty good review from Gonzo, though his main criticism being Stanton's elusiveness in discussing the film's environmentalist concerns is a bit strange.

Fezzik

06-26-2008, 05:43 PM

Wow, even Slant liked it?

This movie is going to be phenomenon.

Fezzik

06-26-2008, 05:58 PM

Hey, have you guys been seeing the reviews on Rotten Tomatoes?

Except for Villareal (who, if I remember, hated Ratatouille as well), they're all ridiculously positive.

It's not just that they're positive, the language being used really portray how much these guys are adoring this film.

Comparing Wall*E himself to Buster keaton and the movie to 'Modern Times' - Jeez....and there's only 21 reviews so far. What the HELL has Pixar done?

I'm getting jittery waiting to see it tomorrow night - I really hope my head doesnt explode before then.

Fezzik

06-26-2008, 06:04 PM

I had a dream last night that Armond White called WALL-E one of the worst movies he's ever seen.

True story.

And if it happens, it's just more proof that the movie itself is phenomenal, in my opinion. ;)

Sycophant

06-26-2008, 06:07 PM

Fezzik

06-26-2008, 06:16 PM

For some reason, all my hype for this movie has drained. Still planning to see it on Saturday, but my expectations are in check, and I'm trying to flush all my preconceived notions of it. Strangely, I'm more excited to see Wanted at this point.

These days, I think it's best to go into a movie not expecting the Second Coming of Christ.

I never expect the 2nd coming of Christ. In fact, a slough of positive reviews usually IMMEDIATELY puts me in the "this cant be that good" mode, which in turn makes me lower my expectations.

This movie, though, there's just something about it that i can't shake.

Watashi

06-26-2008, 06:27 PM

Seeing this tonight.

I expect to be a new man tomorrow.

eternity

06-26-2008, 07:31 PM

If I don't lose my virginity when I see this movie Wats, you bet your ass that I am going to hunt you down and murder you.

Ezee E

06-26-2008, 07:33 PM

If I don't lose my virginity when I see this movie Wats, you bet your ass that I am going to hunt you down and murder you.
Wats, I'll be your bodyguard.

Morris Schæffer

06-26-2008, 09:18 PM

http://www.rottentomatoes.com/m/wall_e/

Wow!

eternity

06-26-2008, 10:40 PM

Wats, I'll be your bodyguard.
He promised. :evil:

MadMan

06-27-2008, 12:04 AM

Seeing this tonight.

I expect to be a new man tomorrow.One who realizes that Big Trouble In Little China is an awesome movie? I sure hope so.

Watashi

06-27-2008, 09:11 AM

*is a new man*

Watashi

06-27-2008, 09:47 AM

Seriously, this was amazing. It had some kinks and hiccups I'm sure a second, third, seventh viewing will fix, but it's an overall wonderful experience. One of the best and heartbreaking romances ever put on screen. It's a spiritual journey into the mind and soul that is sealed as love letter to cinema.

Not as good as Ratatouille or Incredibles, but does it really need to be to be called a masterpiece?

Watashi

06-27-2008, 09:48 AM

Oh, and D'Angelo gave this a 80 and it's his second favorite of the year (behind Paranoid Park).

I expect everyone to love this movie.

EVERYONE!

number8

06-27-2008, 10:22 AM

Not as good as Ratatouille or Incredibles...

I think it is.

http://www.justpressplay.net/movies/reviews/wall-e.html

megladon8

06-27-2008, 02:39 PM

Wow, the Ottawa Citizen gave it 5/5.

They never give ratings that high. Maybe once every few years.

Morris Schæffer

06-27-2008, 04:23 PM

balmakboor

06-27-2008, 05:41 PM

Who else keeps thinking "Number 5 is alive!" every time they see a picture of the robot?

It keeps reminding me of A Grand Day Out.

Pop Trash

06-27-2008, 08:36 PM

So what do you think the box office will be? Slant Magazine predicted around 70 mil. which sounds about right.

Watashi

06-27-2008, 09:13 PM

"I don't want to survive! I want to live!"

Deep into the third act of Pixar's latest masterpiece WALL-E, a rather pivotal character utters these lines when given a choice to return to Earth or not. This is the central driving point of Stanton's film and one he hopes audiences to remember clearly above the cutesy courtship between WALL-E and EVE. This is not to say the romance between the two is second-rate, because it certainly is not. It's one of the most profound, heartbreaking, and honest love stories of recent memory (one that instantly harks comparisons to Chaplin's Modern Times). WALL-E is a messenger of total goodness; a robotic messiah from another world to give people a choice to live anew. Stanton's vision of the future is a motorized utopia of people pampered like babies never given a choice to roam outside the path that is outlined before them. They are fat, lazy, and completely unaware of their social surroundings outside their personal floating bubble/hovercraft. They aren't living, just simply surviving as the computerized day passed onto the next.

WALL-E's quest to restore life into these boneless individuals sparks a curious relationship with the ship's captain. Most would barely pass a glance at WALL-E's aged and battered exoskeleton amongst the modern and sleek design of the future, but the captain accepts him as a friend and a simple handshake (the passing of life) embarks the captain to head back home and to finish living their lives as rightful human beings. The issue of touch is an important one in WALL-E. As WALL-E passes on life to the captain, he is later returned the favor as Eve reaches out in the moving denouement. It is said that the most intimate part of love is the touch of a hand from someone who cares for you. You can be workaholic or a couch potato to survive through life and repeat the same old routine over and over, but to live and face the problems and overcome the obstacles is a much more rewarding experience and all it takes is a sign of progress, hope, and growth stemming out of the roots of nature to get us moving.

Watashi

06-27-2008, 09:15 PM

Yes, it's true. WALL-E is literally Jesus.

Spinal

06-27-2008, 09:16 PM

Yes, it's true. WALL-E is literally Jesus.

Literally? Are you sure that's what you mean?

Watashi

06-27-2008, 09:19 PM

Literally? Are you sure that's what you mean?
It was a joke...

number8

06-27-2008, 09:20 PM

It's funny how I've been reading these comparisons to Modern Times, but for some reason I was more reminded of City Lights. I guess the whole factory worker thing makes it more explicit to Modern Times, but I dunno... something about the relationship (especially when Eve was deactivated) felt very much like The Tramp looking over the blind girl.

Ivan Drago

06-28-2008, 03:21 AM

How was the audience when you saw it Wats?

Yxklyx

06-28-2008, 03:23 AM

I think this is best seen on DVD. Too many kids make for an awkward viewing experience.

Watashi

06-28-2008, 04:22 AM

How was the audience when you saw it Wats?

Fine, I guess. It was a midnight show so there wasn't any kids.

No one else saw this today?

BirdsAteMyFace

06-28-2008, 04:32 AM

No one else saw this today?Seeing it today (Saturday) with my mom. Gosh, I feel so young saying that. I visit her practically every weekend, but we haven't been much to the movies over the past few years. So, this'll be nice, I think.

Raiders

06-28-2008, 04:46 AM

The film opens with what is the opening act's central dichotomy: vast landscapes of trash and ruin contrasted by the sounds of "Hello Dolly." Starting out with the awesome images of a desolated Earth, the film quickly pinpoints the only real creature still alive: a robot, WALL-E. A cleaning robot, to be exact. He roams the planet, or at least a dead metropolis, and compacts all the trash and filth humans deposited many years earlier. In essence, WALL-E lives the film's juxtaposition. Everyday, he cleans up after us while simultaneously being in awe of the peculiarities and idiosyncrasies we left behind, most of all the film "Hello Dolly." In that film and music, he finds the human connection he most wants to replicate: affection. In this dichotomy, Stanton locates both humanity's worst habits and its most profound gifts, art and love.

The first forty minutes are completely absent spoken dialogue save for a few instances of pre-recorded video. Instead, Stanton chooses to create a bit of poetry on the sad state of the planet and the power of images, memories and cinema. The world may be in ruins, but humanity's great past creations live on through WALL-E. Eventually, he meets EVE, a state-of-the-art robot whose function (or "directive" as it is known) is to search and find evidence of life on Earth, sent by the humans light years away. The courtship of EVE by WALL-E is remarkably touching, and as has been noted, inspired in large part by Chaplin's little tramp, and the delicacy of the images bring to mind City Lights.

But eventually, EVE completes her mission by finding a small plant WALL-E has shown her, and the humans come down to pick her up. Desperate to not lose the only other creature he knows (save for his pet roach), WALL-E hitches a ride on the spaceship. Thus begins the second act, where the film becomes something far greater. It is true the beauty and delicacy of the first act are gone, and more broad satire is bourne. But, the film's cluttered, messy vibe is mirroring perfectly the human race's amazing new level of sloth. They have been consumed by the robots and are now complete slaves to the tools they have created.

The latter act's comparisons to 2001: A Space Odyssey are easily spotted, and the film cribs the triumphant Strauss score for the climactic moment of one human's "first step." But, while Kubrick's film was leading us to a complete stripping away of the human form for a new level of existence, Stanton's view is clearly directed at a renewal of humanity, to regain the awareness and thoughtfulness that produced those works of art and compassion so many years ago. The triumphant moment comes as one character exclaims the difference between merely coasting through an existence and physically interacting with the world. Like many great works from artists as varied as Kurosawa to Egoyan, there is a great cautionary tale here to our abuse of technology to supplement actual discovery and connection.

But, the film is also, at heart, a simple love story. WALL-E is an unwitting hero, thrown into a battle for the survival of humanity and Earth. At every step, he is driven by a need to hold onto his connection with EVE that itself was generated by humanity's capacity for romance and emotion. His acts of bravery are created by the greatest human trait he has mimicked. It is simple to call him a "Jesus" as his taking on of our sins (cleaning our garbage) and rescuing us from the wallows of our own creation, but that's too simple. The film is fighting against humanity's excess and fighting for its ability to love and care and to create. It dabbles in environmental concerns and big business domination, but at its heart, it is a cry for us to always remember our own individual self and to dream, imagine and create art worth remembering (I love that the closing titles are historically-rendered artwork). And at the center is WALL-E, a robot who is willing to sacrifice it all for love. A sentimental and melodramatic ideal. And also, very human.

Spinal

06-28-2008, 04:46 AM

Also going tomorrow.

Fezzik

06-28-2008, 04:56 AM

Well, I usually preface a review with a line of dialogue from the movie that illustrates, to me, what the movie is about.

But Wats stole it :)

Wall*E is, in short, far and away the best film I've seen so far this year. It's easy to say that in June, when most of the "more important" films are months from release, but what Pixar has done with this masterful piece of work is turn the world of animation on it's collective ear.

It's one thing to succeed in making a successful film with little or no dialogue, but to do it when your main characters are robots - whose very nature prevents them from having faces as expressive as humans - is a damn miracle.

The Wall*E character himself is one that will take your breath away. He's smart, cute, expressive, kind and curious...and incidentally, more human than most people I deal with on a day to day basis.

EVE, on the other hand, is what would happen if the allspark cube from Transformers went off near an Apple iPod, except for one major difference: Eve has a soul.

The animation and look of the film is simply staggering. The first 20 minutes are amongst the best work I've ever seen, animated or not. The loneliness is creepy and palpable. It makes I am Legend seem alive and joyful - and thats a compliment. With nothing but well placed shots and setting, and a well placed audio billboard or two, Pixar tells us everything we need to know. It's a master class in filmmaking and to say more would cause a loss in translation.

The 2nd half, aboard the executive space cruiser called the "Axiom," has a more frenetic pace and the satire kicks in. Despite what you might have heard, its not nearly as scolding as you might think, and instead treats humans, as a whole, with affection, showing that despite all the stupidity we've been guilty of over the years, there's still a spark of life there - a spark that could, someday, change the course of the species.

So how good is Wall*E? Well, my love for Brad Bird's films is no secret. I count Ratatouille and The Iron Giant as two of my favorite films.

But to compare these to Wall*E seems shortsighted. This is film making of a completely new level. It's something I've simply never seen before, and it's Pixar's new crown jewel.

Rating: 10/10

Watashi

06-28-2008, 04:59 AM

Nice review, Philly boy. I too also love the cave-drawing closing credits. Very fitting. I saw it again today (big surprise there, huh?) and I can't emphasize how much the importance of contact is. The parallels of passing on life through holding one's hand really struck me as a critique on how our society is so elusive of reaching out and touching someone (physically and mentally). It's far beyond a simple Chaplinesque love story.

Yxklyx

06-28-2008, 04:59 AM

Oh yeah... 9/10

Raiders

06-28-2008, 05:02 AM

I saw it again today (big surprise there, huh?) and I can't emphasize how much the importance of contact is. The parallels of passing on life through holding one's hand really struck me as a critique on how our society is so elusive of reaching out and touching someone (physically and mentally).

Yeah, I muttered in the theatre, "hey, it's like Egoyan's Speaking Parts," and the missus gave me a strange look.

Watashi

06-28-2008, 05:15 AM

Oh, and Presto was delightful. Got tons of lolz out of me, but I think Lifted is the best Pixar short.

Sxottlan

06-28-2008, 08:46 AM

Easily the best film I've seen so far this year.

Pop Trash

06-28-2008, 04:05 PM

Went to it last night. It was very good. Probably the best 2008 film I've seen so far. However, I don't think I liked it as much as Ratatouille but I did like it more than the Incredibles (which I found slightly overrated) It's not flawless, nor do I think that it is a "masterpiece." I have to give full disclosure here that I'm not the biggest CGI animation fan, but I was won over last year by Ratatouille and I've always liked the Toy Story movies. I never bothered with Finding Nemo, Cars, or Monsters Inc. With that said, I'll write in spoilers from here on out:

The first third is excellent. It's hard to top that. It looks great, it's funny, it's interesting, I love how all our discarded crap becomes a way of showing us how worthwhile humanity is (or used to be in the timeframe of the movie) Hey look we made rubick's cube, VHS, bras, batteries, etc.! We were innovative once!

Once it movies to the giant spaceship something is slightly lost. The movie is still very entertaining but it's not quite as visually compelling as the early moments. The hijinks with the robots and humans were fun and all but sometimes got a bit samey. However, the scene with Wall-E and EVE chasing each other around space was very inspired. That was a great moment.

The movie also seems very inspired at times by E.T. In particular I'm talking about how Wall-E seems to "die" but is then resurrected. In E.T. this happens once but Wall-E uses this device multiple times. I think once is enough. After awhile it seems a little stale to keep falling back on the old "oh no he's dead...oh just kidding he's back alive...oh no he might die again...nah he's OK...but oh no he's not the Wall-E he used to be and doesn't remember EVE...nah just kidding he does" I think Short Circuit also used this device (it's been awhile but I seem to remember 'Johnny Five is alive!' being used after he is resurrected by Ally Sheedy or something) which adds more fuel to the fire that Wall-E isn't the most original of creations.

So all in all, it's a very good movie with a few nagging flaws. I'd probably give it a 7.5/10 but since I liked the message and the spirit of the movie I'll bump it up to an 8/10 which is the highest rating I've given a 2008 movie thus far.

Ivan Drago

06-28-2008, 05:34 PM

Fine, I guess. It was a midnight show so there wasn't any kids.

Oh okay. I just have a feeling that families would get bored out of their minds after the first 1/3rd of the movie because it supposedly has no dialogue or music. I dunno, it's just a thought I had.

KK2.0

06-28-2008, 06:49 PM

This gotta be one of the most romantic films i've watched in a long time, i recommend taking a date to it.

I agree with Pop Trash that it loses steam after they arrive in Axiom, however, when those chases were starting to bore me, there's the absolutely beautiful flight in space with Wall-e and Eve, and the film won me over again instantly

Maybe i enjoyed Ratatouille better, but i still loved it and it's yet another classic for Pixar, with enough quality in it to put it above the competition.

Watashi

06-28-2008, 06:50 PM

I think the second half is better than the first.

KK2.0

06-28-2008, 07:54 PM

the first half to me was minute after minute of cinematic perfection, still, one of the best films i've watched this year.

oh, and about the use of live action actors, the justification for that is just brilliant.

Spinal

06-28-2008, 11:55 PM

Spinal

06-28-2008, 11:56 PM

Oh, and Presto was delightful. Got tons of lolz out of me, but I think Lifted is the best Pixar short.

Loved the short. Probably my favorite short so far.

dreamdead

06-29-2008, 02:35 AM

Loved the short. Probably my favorite short so far.

Really? I thought it was adorably animated, but the internal logic seems a bit distant. What's to stop the magician from putting the rabbit through that ordeal again next time; it felt more like momentary acquiescence than lesson learned. Like I said, though, it's certainly adorable. I need to rewatch the chess one...

Like most, the space dancing/flight sequence is the moment of transcendence in the film for me. Otherwise, some of the narrative while on the spaceship feels a bit too easy and thus transparent (specifically, the whole bit about mankind's disregard for exercise, which feels like it needs more). And the dialogue, when it finally hits in act 3, feels a bit too on-the-nose, though that may be from lack of general dialogue otherwise. Overall, it's in the higher echelon of Pixar's work, but still not their best in my eyes.

Spinal

06-29-2008, 03:02 AM

Really? I thought it was adorably animated, but the internal logic seems a bit distant. What's to stop the magician from putting the rabbit through that ordeal again next time; it felt more like momentary acquiescence than lesson learned.

Weird. The internal logic was precisely what I liked about it. The rabbit outmaneuvered him at every turn and was revealed to be a key player in the magic duo by the end, which is why he eventually gets bigger billing.

The lesson is learned because the rabbit saved his life.

Spinal

06-29-2008, 03:05 AM

Otherwise, some of the narrative while on the spaceship feels a bit too easy and thus transparent (specifically, the whole bit about mankind's disregard for exercise, which feels like it needs more).

Once again, this was my favorite aspect of the film. Thought it was hilarious. And effectively disturbing.

"It's lunch ... in a cup!" :lol:

Sycophant

06-29-2008, 05:07 AM

The opening act was just about the best thing I could hope to see all year. And all the cultural satire was what Idiocracy kind of wished it was.

amberlita

06-29-2008, 05:44 AM

I thought the movie fired on all cylinders. No better first or second half but a movement exactly in the direction it needed to go. Felt like it was 30 minutes long it flew so effortlessly.

Oh and I was reminded of City Lights more too. The indictment of technology may be more Modern Times, but the love story has City Lights written all over it.

SirNewt

06-29-2008, 06:34 AM

Damnit I wanted to see this tonight but saw 'Kung-Fu Panda' instead, which wasn't bad.

kamran

06-29-2008, 04:23 PM

And here I thought robots were asexual.

Fun, but I can't see myself returning to it like I do with Nemo, Monsters and the Toy Story films.

Spinal

06-29-2008, 06:00 PM

And here I thought robots were asexual.

Sometimes they get frisky (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=EjAoBKagWQA).

Watashi

06-29-2008, 07:46 PM

Did anyone notice that Jim Reardon shared a screenwriting credit with Andrew Stanton? He's a Simpsons legend and this is his first major feature work. First Bird, Silverman, and now Reardon. Looks like Pixar is getting all the best talent from The Simpsons staff.

Also, the Peter Gabriel song played during the credits is stunning.

number8

06-29-2008, 09:02 PM

Did anyone notice that Jim Reardon shared a screenwriting credit with Andrew Stanton? He's a Simpsons legend and this is his first major feature work. First Bird, and now Reardon. Looks like Pixar is getting all the best talent from The Simpsons staff.

Next: Pixar's The Misadventures of Conan O'Brien.

Qrazy

06-29-2008, 09:41 PM

Damnit I wanted to see this tonight but saw 'Kung-Fu Panda' instead, which wasn't bad.

The Most Dangerous Game - how disappointing

Agreed.

The Naked Prey is semi-similar, not very good really but better than Game in my book. Bogdanovich's Targets is better than both although not really similar, but still people hunting people.

Dead & Messed Up

06-30-2008, 07:38 AM

Wow.

A big, fat wow.

I don't even care about ranking, rating, or otherwise placing this film in Pixar's canon. Not right now.

One question:

Why do you think they went with live-action for Fred Willard's character? My only real idea was that Stanton wanted to connect the film's reality with ours; otherwise, it could become its own little universe and not taken as seriously.

Raiders

06-30-2008, 03:37 PM

And here I thought robots were asexual.

Fun, but I can't see myself returning to it like I do with Nemo, Monsters and the Toy Story films.

Funny, I'm the opposite. I rarely watch any of those anymore despite really liking them, but this feels like one I could watch over and over again. I have already seen it twice.

Raiders

06-30-2008, 03:43 PM

It's very good. I'm not convinced it is great. The environmental angle is potent and leads to some very touching moments. The robots in love angle didn't work so well for me and felt like an unwelcome distraction from the issue at hand.

I guess we would disagree on what the issue at hand is. The "love" angle is the entire point to the film I would argue since ultimately for all humanity's sins and ugliness, that (along with creation of timeless art) is its greatest gift and one that WALL-E uses to ultimately save mankind.

Derek

06-30-2008, 04:15 PM

I guess we would disagree on what the issue at hand is. The "love" angle is the entire point to the film I would argue since ultimately for all humanity's sins and ugliness, that (along with creation of timeless art) is its greatest gift and one that WALL-E uses to ultimately save mankind.

I agree. I don't see how the love story distracts from the social commentary, which remains potent throughout since it's at the very least always implied by the entire ship's environment.

Spinal

06-30-2008, 05:24 PM

Raiders

06-30-2008, 05:28 PM

Why would humans program a garbage collector to be capable of emotions that would distract it from its task? Likewise, why is Eva given the capability of altering her directive based on a crush?

Did they? It seemed to me his being the last one, and the film showing the many dead ones, is indicative of his going outside his programming. To use a point of reference, why does the HAL9000 become prideful and go outside its programming to attempt to kill the humans? I mean, is menacing OK, but cutesy not?

Spinal

06-30-2008, 05:30 PM

Did they? It seemed to me his being the last one, and the film showing the many dead ones, indicative of his going outside his programming. To use a point of reference, why does the HAL9000 become prideful and go outside its programming to attempt to kill the humans? I mean, is menacing OK, but cutesy not?

Because HAL is using pure logic based on his directive. That's precisely my point.

Raiders

06-30-2008, 05:32 PM

Because HAL is using pure logic based on his directive. That's precisely my point.

What's that?

EDIT: Eh, whatever. I'm not really sure logically thinking about this is something I care to do. It seems nitpicking where it doesn't belong.

Spinal

06-30-2008, 05:39 PM

What's that?

That there is no satisfactory reason why these robots, based on their primary directives, would need to be capable of love. It really is an undesirable quality to have in a trash compactor.

Raiders

06-30-2008, 05:41 PM

That there is no satisfactory reason why these robots, based on their primary directives, would need to be capable of love. It really is an undesirable quality to have in a trash compactor.

Heh. I meant what primary objective was HAL fulfilling by killing the humans who wished to shut him off.

Spinal

06-30-2008, 05:50 PM

Heh. I meant what primary objective was HAL fulfilling by killing the humans who wished to shut him off.

They were supposed to be investigating the signal from space, but the human crew didn't know about it, right? Only HAL had the information about the crew's true mission and was, according to the logic he had been given, attempting to preserve that mission. It makes much more sense that HAL is capable of complex human decisions. He had a lot more responsibilities.

Raiders

06-30-2008, 05:53 PM

In any case, my main point is that I seriously doubt WALL-E was programmed to have feelings. The same way HAL wasn't programmed to lie or become prideful and vengeful. After 700 years of interacting with mankind's peculiarities and its ability to create and through movies, its ability to love, WALL-E somewhere along the line went outside of its programming and became aware of his loneliness. Lest we forget, this is still a science fiction film.

Qrazy

06-30-2008, 05:58 PM

The film runs into a problem I think. It sets up these characters that are comical because of their utter devotion to the directives that they have been assigned, but then it allows them to dash about like Romeo and Juliet when it becomes necessary to manipulate the audience emotionally.

This isn't really true (the internal consistency bit). It's rather consistent in it's differentiation between ordinate directive and superordinate directives. The two primary robots follow their initial directives but overcome them as a result of experience and a desire for something more, which is an excellent parallel for the environmental/social critique of rising above the status quo. Wall-E has after many years already risen above his primary directive by being lonely, watching that video, etc... his loneliness and desire for companionship is a learned response... this is apparent because he lacks the desire for a moment when his chip is fried and he goes back to his primary directive... I had a little problem with the forgotten/return of memories moment but I can forgive it for it's larger purpose which is to demonstrate that consciousness is something more than just the sum of it's parts. Eve on the other hand only gradually falls for Wall-E as she sees what he's done for him... the plant, then the memory data base, etc. She gradually rises above her primary directive.

Now as to why they have basic empathy/care features in the first place, it makes sense enough to me that humanity would program such basic features in such as Asimov's laws of robotics, enabling robots to care (at least behaviourally) for the welfare of human beings. Other than that I think we just have to keep in mind that Pixar's creations are basically just avatars for human beings... that is to say that perhaps in this universe Robots find it slightly more difficult to fall in love than humans, but I mean we don't raise similar complaints about love between insects in A Bug's Life or between Cars, Toys, etc.

No, the film is not overly interested in the chips and wiring of the robots and how that allows for love per se, but in a sense that would be an unnecessary distraction from the story being told. The film doesn't strive to be 'hard sci-fi', but to use sci-fi as a platform for social commentary and in that sense the love element/parallel is a useful and functional one.

Sycophant

06-30-2008, 05:59 PM

I think in Wall-E there's a programmed adaptability in his programming that accounts for his moving beyond his initial directives. Thank God they didn't name him Adam or some obtusely clever variant, but the naming of Eve seems further indicative of the theme of mirroring humanity's move beyond merely surviving to that more robust sense of living in a couple of threads throughout the film. It may not be such a clean allegory, but I see it there.

Qrazy

06-30-2008, 06:00 PM

That there is no satisfactory reason why these robots, based on their primary directives, would need to be capable of love. It really is an undesirable quality to have in a trash compactor.

Not if they're simply extrapolating to one another (other robots) superordinate directives about 'caring' for human beings, etc... directives that robots with lasers and laser guns would have to have.

Spinal

06-30-2008, 06:03 PM

EDIT: Eh, whatever. I'm not really sure logically thinking about this is something I care to do. It seems nitpicking where it doesn't belong.

This isn't nitpicking, but I can do nitpicking if you want.

How was the human population able to repopulate itself if physical exertion and contact between humans was such a foreign concept? Hate to see the intelligent robots assigned to that directive. :eek:

Sycophant

06-30-2008, 06:06 PM

Spinal

06-30-2008, 06:08 PM

Apparently some conservatives and fat acceptance advocates are all up in arms and offended by the movie. *shrug*

Well, there's a shocker.

Qrazy

06-30-2008, 06:08 PM

This isn't nitpicking, but I can do nitpicking if you want.

How was the human population able to repopulate itself if physical exertion and contact between humans was such a foreign concept? Hate to see the intelligent robots assigned to that directive. :eek:

Well if they'd gone to the gym a bit it was do-able but yeah the initial step off the ships bothered me too because with the weight gain and change in gravity they would have experienced would likely have snapped all their spines.

Qrazy

06-30-2008, 06:10 PM

Spinal

06-30-2008, 06:28 PM

The conservatives just need to shut the fuck up before we all burst into flames.

Bumper sticker!

Watashi

06-30-2008, 06:51 PM

This isn't nitpicking, but I can do nitpicking if you want.

How was the human population able to repopulate itself if physical exertion and contact between humans was such a foreign concept? Hate to see the intelligent robots assigned to that directive. :eek:

The robots were obviously assigned to uh, plant the seed when the time was needed.

Oh, and this film is twice the film Happy Feet is. My appreciation of that film has actually gone down on repeat viewings. Still good though.

monolith94

06-30-2008, 07:03 PM

I think that the key to understanding how and why Wall-E went beyond standard Wall-E protocol is at the beginning, where we see all of the other Wall-E units that have burned out. What makes him so different? Why did he survive? Most of the pixar heroes of late have special abilities, whether it's the Incredible family's genetic superpowers, Ratatouille's incredible nose/intuition, etc. Wall-E's special ability is that somehow, over 700 years, he gained the ability to survive whereas the other Wall-E units did not. And that process also affected his programming.

There are far bigger things to nitpick, like how 6 billion people are supposed to fit on one spaceship that looks like it holds around 15,000 or so. That's actually kind of scary to think about.

Great film. The ending credits were a perfect, perfect ending. Also, did anyone notice the visual references to Brazil?

Also, when Eva got photographed with the gun in her hand, that was a very North By Northwest moment.

Raiders

06-30-2008, 07:05 PM

There are far bigger things to nitpick, like how 6 billion people are supposed to fit on one spaceship that looks like it holds around 15,000 or so. That's actually kind of scary to think about.

I was under the impression there was not six billion people left. Did the film say there was?

EDIT: Also, weren't there other ships and Axiom was just the biggest?

Spinal

06-30-2008, 07:10 PM

I was under the impression there was not six billion people left. Did the film say there was?

Yeah, I just assumed that the population had dwindled.

Presumably many of the re-population robots realized what they were being asked to do and committed suicide.

monolith94

06-30-2008, 07:12 PM

I was under the impression there was not six billion people left. Did the film say there was?

EDIT: Also, weren't there other ships and Axiom was just the biggest?
This being a kids film, I'm sure it conveniently leaves out the hows and whys of the population decreasing from six billion... But yeah, I was wondering where the other ships were, y'know? A loose end.

Also, the visual references from Gilliam's Brazil:

In WALL-E's trailer, WALL-E uses a magnifying glass to blow-up the image from an ipod. This visually recalls Brazil, where magnifiers are continually used to blow-up tiny computer screens. And when WALL-E, following EVE, makes his way to the large emty room watched over by a red one-eyed robot that is dutifully punching buttons, the scene recalls Sam Lowry entering the ministry of information retrieval.

Watashi

06-30-2008, 07:16 PM

Likewise, why is Eva given the capability of altering her directive based on a crush

I just noticed this. Even Wall-E's charm has gotten to you, Spinal. Ya big softy.

Spinal

06-30-2008, 07:18 PM

I just noticed this. Even Wall-E's charm has gotten to you, Spinal. Ya big softy.

What did you notice? I don't get it.

Watashi

06-30-2008, 07:22 PM

What did you notice? I don't get it.
Eeeeeeeeva.

Watashi

06-30-2008, 07:23 PM

What did you notice? I don't get it.

You complain about the robot's cutesy behavior yet you call EVE "Eva" just like how WALL-E does.

It's cute.

Spinal

06-30-2008, 07:23 PM

Eeeeeeeeva.

:confused:

Spinal

06-30-2008, 07:24 PM

You complain about the robot's cutesy behavior yet you call EVE "Eva" just like how WALL-E does.

It's cute.

Oh. I thought that was her name.

Watashi

06-30-2008, 07:25 PM

Oh. I thought that was her name.

Man, you are a load of fail.

No pritches for you. Ever.

Spinal

06-30-2008, 07:29 PM

Man, you are a load of fail.

Well, you know, I'm just a casual fan. Haven't masturbated to her or anything like that.

Watashi

06-30-2008, 07:30 PM

Well, you know, I'm just a casual fan. Haven't masturbated to her or anything like that.

http://www.deskmodr.com/screenshots/2008/03/evepreview.thumbnail.png

Move over, Mrs. Incredible.

Watashi

06-30-2008, 07:38 PM

And.... I've killed this thread.

Sorry. :sad:

Spinal

06-30-2008, 07:40 PM

And.... I've killed this thread.

Sorry. :sad:

It had always been the subtext anyway.

Qrazy

06-30-2008, 08:17 PM

Well, you know, I'm just a casual fan. Haven't masturbated to her or anything like that.

She strikes me as more of a masturbation facilitator rather than a masturbation enticer.

Fezzik

06-30-2008, 09:05 PM

Oh, and I had the misfortune of stumbling across Richard Roeper being an utter ass about this movie. I'd forgotten how grating and bizarre he can be, taking it to task for being too difficult for children and the apparent sin of liking Hello Dolly! more than he did.

Apparently some conservatives and fat acceptance advocates are all up in arms and offended by the movie. *shrug*

As a fat conservative, I'm pissed at this for two reasons:

1) If you're offended its most likely because it made you uncomfortable because it hit you close to home - make changes instead of being offended.

2) The commentary and satire is not even AIMED at fat people. The people aren't "obese" - they're big babies. They're nascent. They've de-evolved. They've never had to do anything for themselves, so they haven't physically or emotionally matured. They're oblivious to their surroundings. The reason this pisses me off? It means that people were looking for something to bitch about rather than absorb the real message and sheer beauty of this wonderful film. These idiots are overflowing with fail.

origami_mustache

07-01-2008, 03:08 AM

I liked WALL-E a lot, but enjoyed Presto even more. A great return to cartoon tradition...they just don't make em' like this much anymore.

My favorite character was the robot with Obsessive-compulsive disorder

http://www.thegate.ca/wp-content/uploads/2008/06/wall-e.jpg

soitgoes...

07-03-2008, 05:14 AM

I saw this. It was great.

Milky Joe

07-03-2008, 08:54 PM

The two primary robots follow their initial directives but overcome them as a result of experience and a desire for something more, which is an excellent parallel for the environmental/social critique of rising above the status quo. Wall-E has after many years already risen above his primary directive by being lonely, watching that video, etc... his loneliness and desire for companionship is a learned response... this is apparent because he lacks the desire for a moment when his chip is fried and he goes back to his primary directive... I had a little problem with the forgotten/return of memories moment but I can forgive it for it's larger purpose which is to demonstrate that consciousness is something more than just the sum of it's parts.

Beautifully put.

My first thought as the credits rolled: "movie of the century." I had a lump in my throat and a tear in my eye for the whole first 40 minutes. There's just something so damn cathartic about that little robot!