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Review: Wall-E

by Parm Mann on 20 July 2008, 11:01

Tags: Wall-E, THQ (NASDAQ:THQI), PC, Xbox 360, PS2, PSP, DS, PS3, Mac, Wii

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One of Pixar's best?

Following all the hype, I wanted to love Wall-E. I really did. He's often referred to as a Johny Five lookalike, only cuter. Though, I'd say he's more of a robotic E.T., both in terms of appearance and persona. Sadly, as much as I wanted it to be a family movie as memorable as Spielberg's classic, it fell far short of the mark.

There are genuinely stunning sequences, and Wall-E's initial interaction with EVE is a joy to behold. One particular scene, which involves the couple dancing around the stars, is absolutely dazzling.

I could easily love the characters that Pixar created this time around, but they're in need of a better movie to truly spark emotion. Wall-E has been dubbed by many as Pixar's best effort yet, but, I'd have to disagree. For both children and adults, Wall-E is a long way from Pixar's thoroughly enjoyable efforts such as Monsters Inc. or Toy Story.

Surprisingly, Wall-E isn't quite the barrel of laughs I'd anticipated. Indeed, the biggest laughs will most likely come from Pixar's traditional pre-movie slapstick short film, Presto.

Irrespective of the underlying messages serving as little more than an annoying distraction, Wall-E's love for EVE manages to keep the movie afloat. Had their been more of the romance, and less of the saving humanity from faceless corporations, this one could have been truly outstanding. As it stands, it's good, but should have been great.

HEXUS Rating

3 Star - Good

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External Links

Official Wall-E website

Wall-E on IMDB



HEXUS Forums :: 13 Comments

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Deserves more than 3 stars IMO.
I would defo agree with that asessment of the film. In terms of animation quality the earth scenes are some of the best work i think Pixar have done. Aboard the space ship it seems to drop a bit but that could be due to the “clean” nature given to the inside of the ship, whilst keeping inline with would u would expect from a futuristic spaceship it likes textural prescence.

Story wise it could have given a bit more.
Just been to see it this afternoon, and as long time fan of Pixar (let's forget about Cars for the moment) I'd have to say this was one of best, ranking up there (if not surpassing) Monsters Inc & Toy Story.

I get the feeling the reviewer was a little too occupied with the whole green issue, to the extent that it spoiled the film. Personally I just took it as a theme, one around which the whole movie was built, and without which the whole movie wouldn't have worked. It's fiction people, you should just sit back and enjoy.

Thought the characters were great, the sentimentality just right, moments of peril well timed, and all in all very very cute. Enjoyed it thoroughly, would have given it four - maybe even four and a half - stars.
Hmmm…I'd agree with the IBM.

When I came out the cinema, the most criticism I heard was about the green issue … certainly who I was with at the time thought that. I took it onboard but didn't think much of it - I mentioned this in a previous Wall E thread:

http://forums.hexus.net/music-films/141781-wall-e.html

I think it was great. I gave it four and a half stars, but that was because I was expecting to be wow'ed by the visual animation and I wasn't. It wasn't bad, but I certainly don't think at any point, given a projected progression Pixar should be capable of by now, it had much wow factor.

It's one of the few movies I would probably go and watch again….except I kind of need to save my money for the Dark Knight!
I tend not to worry too much about reviews, ever. If I enjoy the movie and it entertains me for the evening then its a good penny's worth spent. In this case I enjoyed the movie.
Ended up seeing this by mistake as arrived too late to make the Jacky Chan movie Forbidden Kingdom, nevermind though, this was a superb alternative. Visually stunning, pixar have come on a long way from making cartoon looking movies to great spectacles for us to be absorbed by. The depiction of the earth as it becomes reminded me at times of I am Legend - only without the crazy zombie things! - and you really get the sense of Wall-e's life being quite content doing what he does each and every day (as we see from the piles and piles of stuff everywhere)…until he gets somewhat interrupted of course.
The story itself developed well and didn't seem to ever get bogged down, as some movies can. I think they've managed to do a great job of getting emotions across from what are essentially expressionless characters, instead using other methods to convey panic/excitement etc they've used sounds and character animation to great effect. the minor gripe is as mentioned that maybe there's too much going on/zipping round etc you fail to connect with certain characters perhaps, but then this does avoid stalling the movie so I suppose it works.
Whilst it perhaps isn't my favourite from the pixar group (I just love the incredibles) it is none too shabby either for what they've achieved. so, 4 stars, not quite 5 but better than 3.

as for dark knight next week…can't wait!