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Pixar’s ‘WALL-E’: What if R2D2 fell in love?
The Atlanta Journal-Constitution
This summer’s most unlikely movie blockbuster would seem to be Pixar’s G-rated “WALL-E,” which arrives in theaters June 27.
How do you sell a computer animated film about robots in love with a deserted Earth full of trash heaps and dust, extremely limited dialog (especially in the first half hour) and continued film and song clips from, of all things, 1969’s insipid “Hello Dolly!”?
But seeing often brings believing. As Rottentomatoes.com’s Steven Horn wrote recently after watching the first 30 minutes of the film: “The design of ‘WALL-E’ is nothing short of spectacular. … The film hits on some of the best parts of sci-fi and has such rich characterization and subtlety throughout that you feel well taken care of as an audience member.”
WALL-E stands for Waste Allocation Load Lifter Earth-Class and that is a small, rusted, bug-eyed robot that, when the film opens, appears to be the last thing operating or even living on a deserted Earth … except the bot’s cockroach pet. WALL-E watches an old VCR tape of love songs from “Hello Dolly!” and collects things like cigarette lighters and diamond ring boxes. Eventually a space ship arrives, offloading a sleek, exploratory robot dubbed EVE. And, yes, for WALL-E, it’s love at first sight.
Disney and Pixar recently screened the film for some of the metro Atlanta press. Here’s what moviegoers will likely be talking about when “WALL-E” opens:
The robot voices: Initially, they communicate a lot through computerized burps and beeps. WALL-E’s “voice” is reminiscent of R2D2 and the reason for that is Ben Burtt, who created the robot voices for “Star Wars” and does the same for this movie.
Our green Earth: The film’s message is clear: we have not been good planet stewards. In the past the world became dominated by the technology corporation Buy N Large, led by a CEO played by Fred Willard. Little has survived intact, except Twinkies. Need you know more?
The songs: Most are old, quaint and endearing, like Louis Armstrong warbling “La Vie En Rose” and Michael Crawford singing “It Only Takes a Moment” from “Hello Dolly!” Peter Gabriel provides the new song played over the closing credits.
The sci-fi homages: There are plentiful references to “2001: A Space Odyssey,” including an evil cruise ship computer with HAL’s red eye and use of the Richard Strauss classic “Also Sprach Zarathustra.”
Are you looking forward to seeing “WALL-E”?
Permalink | Comments (9) | Post your comment | Categories: Bob Longino
Comments
By BratPackFan
June 4, 2008 8:08 AM | Link to this
Does anyone else fondly remember Number 5 falling in love with Ally Sheedy in ‘Short Circuit’?
By jct
June 4, 2008 8:49 AM | Link to this
Heck yeah!!! Loved Short Circuit.
By Samantha
June 4, 2008 9:54 AM | Link to this
Can’t wait!!!! So excited!!
By Erin
June 4, 2008 11:10 AM | Link to this
I am so excited! Have been looking forward to this little movie since I saw the trailer last year. Reminiscent also of Batteries Not Included.Anyone remember that one?
By wall-e
June 5, 2008 9:06 AM | Link to this
yes!!! My 5 year old said lets skip Kung-FU Panda and watch Wall-e…. I told her that Kung-Fu is out first… she can’t wait to see Wall-E she saw the preview and was telling me about Wall-E falling in love with EVE. ahh…. can’t wait….
By Ole Man Bourbon
June 6, 2008 12:26 PM | Link to this
Pixar rules.
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