This is a movie I am sure we all know, but I feel it is important to bring it up now. I am writing a review on the 2008 animated science fiction romance Pixar movie WALL-E. Directed by Andrew Stanton, it takes place on Earth and in Space in the 29th century. Starring Ben Burtt, Elissa Knight, and Jeff Garlin, it is rated G.
Many centuries in the future, Earth has become a barren wasteland covered in garbage, with all the humans gone and only a single robot, named WALL-E, around to fix the damage. He is rather lonely, only having a cockroach and a sole plant he keeps in a boot. He is happy to meet another robot named EVE, who he develops feelings for. After she and the plant are taken to the spaceship she came from, he follows, finding even more robots as well as the remaining human race. WALL-E and EVE end up having to help humanity to come back to Earth and try again. Can they allow the humans to return to Earth?
As one of Pixar’s classic movies that I have enjoyed since childhood, there are a lot of positive points for me to discuss. I will start with the movie’s theme of environmentalism. By showing the effects of a world where humans failed to save the environment in time, the movie is effective at instilling the need to protect it. Loaded with garbage, completely dry, and only having the one plant, the world of this movie depicts a future no one wants to happen. We also see this effect in Space where everyone has turned lazy and obese because they are not in an environment where they can do a lot. As treatment of the environment has grown even worse since this film came out, this message stands out even more now.
The characters have enough heart for them to work. WALL-E and EVE’s romance is one of Pixar’s sweetest. Even though they are robots who only talk through generic robot sounds, you end up feeling for them. The reason why this works so well is because they are allowed to have human emotion. As mentioned above, WALL-E is lonely from being left by himself on Earth. As a character with a very innocent personality, we feel worse for him. The relationship works on his end because it allows him what he had been missing all his years. As for EVE, she has more of an aggressive personality, but she is still a likable character. She warms up to WALL-E, which allows her happiness as well, just not one she was looking for. They become easier to root for in their mission because you like both and want to see them together.
The final element to talk about this movie is how fun the adventure is. As most of the movie does take place on a spaceship with robots going against the other robots trying to get humans and a plant back to Earth, you can tell that we are in for an entertaining ride. Whether it is a tense scene of trying to get one of them out of danger, or a more energized chase scene, it does bring the audience in for more.
Overall, WALL-E is a movie that is still enjoyable even today. It has an important message that is delivered well because it is in a well written story. Nothing is forced and the pieces come together rather nicely. One of Pixar’s finest films to hopefully inspire people to help change the world for the better.
Normally, that paragraph is where the review would end, but things are about to change. I will start talking about important messages I want my readers to help promote starting with this one. As I mentioned, the film wants its viewers to help protect the environment. With all the environmental destruction we have seen in recent years with climate change, pollution, excessive garbage, and deforestation, it is easy to become anxious and feel there is no hope for us. I say we should not think so pessimistically. There are many people fighting for justice to save the planet and I say there have been improvements. Still, more people would help. Whatever you can do to encourage others to protect our environment, whether it is a protest, social media, or just casual word of mouth would certainly help. Each of us can do something to contribute to taking care of our planet. Some ideas are recycling, reusable grocery bags, refillable water bottles, and voting for representatives in local, state, and federal government who believe in protecting our environment. We can save the planet; our chances only increase by your support.
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