Who ever thought that two little robots that can hardly talk create one of the best science fiction films I’ve ever seen.  To say the least, I’ve been very much anticipating this film for a long time along with many people that have come to admire and understand that Pixar Studio’s is probably the best story tellers today.  Not only can they tell stories that deserve the highest Oscar nominations, they create fantastic worlds from the most obscure people, places or things giving us great action, drama, comedy and just pure simple fun for all ages.  Does Wall-E fit into those qualities? Yes, in fact Wall-E just raised those standards along with animation that could simply be summed up by saying; Masterpiece.

Coming from the Finding Nemo director, Andrew Stanton tells us the story of WALL-E (Waste Allocation Load Lifter Earth-Class) as we find him doing what he was created to do, clean up Earth.  However after 700 years of service and being the only working robot left on Earth, Wall-E has become very lonely, until EVE arrives.  EVE (Extraterrestrial Vegetation Evaluator); a probe robot searching for signs of life on Earth only to find Wall-E and his little cockroach pal.  The meeting of the two sets off an adventure that could change Wall-E and EVE forever.  Along for the adventure is Jeff Garlin (Captian), Fred Willard (Shelby Forthright, BnL CEO), John Ratzenberger (John), Kathy Najimy (Mary), featuring Sigourney Weaver as the ship’s computer voice.

In a summer that has already had some great films, Wall-E take the claim of being the best film so far for 2008.  Wall-E being the most adorable character to ever come out of Pixar, the film raises the standards that Pixar creates with each new film.  Each robot character is created with such endearing qualities that you can’t help feeling attached to them as they go on their journey.  Since both Wall-E and EVE don’t have any real lines, some would think that the interaction could be lame in some fashion.  With fantastic direction from Andrew Stanton and genius animation both characters can relay all different types of emotions by using body language (for robots) and the usage of eye acting, for lack of a better term.  Just by the movement’s of Wall-E’s eye components and EVE’s digital screen all different emotions can be seen and felt by the audience.  Wall-E and EVE both form a very charming and endearing story together.  Along for the ride are several different characters ranging from Wall-E’s cockroach friend, misfit robots, and a ship full of the laziest humans; their laziness attributed to 700 years of automated pleasures and not doing anything for themselves.  Each character was created with it’s own personality and function forming a great supporting cast giving us, the viewer, great laughs that Pixar so finely does with all of it’s films.  The most notable characters are the spaceship Captain, M-O (the cleaning machine), the automatic pilot and the cockroach in which their actions gave the audience the most laughs and enjoyment.  

All of this could not have been created with out the best animation and a solid script.  The animation is simply breathtaking.  It creates a visually stunning waste land Earth that really conveys the sense that, yea… Earth is a mess and it’s been abandoned for hundreds of years.  On the other end is the AXIOM, the space ship where EVE comes from.  It’s a slick clean paradise that’s been created with the most science fiction of technology that you can swear came from the mind of Steven Spielberg even though it didn’t.  If you put films like, I, Robot, A.I. Artificial Intelligence, Minority Report and The Fifth Element together, you should get the Luxury Starliner AXIOM.  All of the animation is perfection and that honestly goes with out saying especially when it comes to the story.  Coming from the mind of Andrew Stanton back in the mid 1990’s, he’s finally brought his vision to the big screen in the most charming, visually stunning and emotional way possible.  The idea and creation of this film consists with the best qualities for any family film but takes it to another level.  The plot is full of, intrigue of characters, a rock solid narrative with little dialog, exciting action, emotional drama and plain old great fun and laughs.  Stanton and his staff should truly be commended for their work on this film and from now until the Academy Awards, I’m going to stick with the opinion that Wall-E should get nominated for Best Picture and I’m not talking about Best Animated, I’m referring to the big one.

In one sentence, I can say that I found nothing wrong with this film and I honestly have no reasons to add any bad remarks.

Overall, Wall-E is perfect for all ages, for people who should just sit down and enjoy a movie.  This film captures the essence of original filmmaking and is truly a very refreshing tale that we the audience need more often.  I think it’s only fair that Wall-E receives the highest rating a movie can get.  It’s strange for me in a way because as much as I love Wall-E their are a couple of qualities that weren’t in this picture but that’s only because the film can’t be made with those qualities.  So, for a time I considered giving this a 9 but truth be told, Wall-E is a perfect 10 out of 10 when it comes to filmmaking.  I have to mention however, when the summer season ends, it may not be my favorite film because their is still one more I have to see and it’s probably going to get a lesser rating but because I’m a such a fanboy, The Dark Knight might get the claim of Phil’s personal favorite.  Time will tell however.  The bottom line is, Wall-E so far is and is probably going to be the best film of the summer and hopefully of the year.  10 out of 10! 

-Phil