Pixar’s first foray into science fiction is a dazzling combination of charm, style, and pathos. Seven hundred years in the future, WALL-E is the last sanitation robot on an ecologically devastated and depopulated Earth. WALL-E spends its days clearing away the heaping trash piles that cover the grimy landscape, methodically stacking cubes of garbage that have been processed in WALL-E’s internal compactor. He (it’s difficult not to anthropomorphize the little guy) also collects various objects that catch his eye as he tidies up the abandoned city. WALL-E’s predictable daily routine is disrupted when he stumbles upon a sleek-looking robotic visitor from the stars.
For an animated film marketed to children, WALL-E takes a number of stylistic chances. The first fifteen minutes contain absolutely no dialogue. It blends some live-action shots with the animation. And while the movie is by no means didactic, it offers plenty of commentary on consumerism for those who care to look for it. The visuals are simply a treat, especially a beautifully choreographed ballet in space involving WALL-E, his romantic interest, and a fire extinguisher. Sublime.
