1000% agreed. Wall-E is one of the best animated movies of the last 25 years, and it has powerful themes (not the least of which is portraying a beautiful metaphor for sacrificial love and commitment).
I always avoided this movie because of the buzz around it being environment propaganda. I just watched it with the themes you brought up in mind and I now think it’s one of my favorite animated movies of this century. We should be honored that we have the duty to be stewards of the planet. It’s all about purpose
Thank you! I certainly did roll my eyes at the opening scenes when we first watched WALL-e with our grandchildren a few years ago, but I came away with a much less exciting overall understanding. All I saw was this is how we will turn out if we don't stop asking others to do our work for us. Rather boring, I know, but I have never been one with much of an imagination, so the fact that I even got that right was pretty exciting to me! :D
NOW!!!! I see it all!!! What a wonderful picture you have brought to my mind. I always liked it and knew there was a lesson to be learned, but THIS is far beyond what I ever imagined for a "cartoon"... :D I know, I have a lot to learn. Thank you for expanding my horizons and helping me to grow in my understanding of understanding stories! :)
Thank you for the analysis. I always saw the film as the necessity of humans to be connected with each other face to face, not solely through screens, and the importance of human connection with nature. Reading your thoughts took my considerations even deeper.
Another excellent review of a book or movie. Not only do I see the movie more deeply, with more appreciation but I have more questions now - thought provoking. You ever thought of a book club on your platform?
I love this movie, in part because it’s deeply compassionate to its characters. Even the captain and the passengers, who could so easily have been simple caricatures and objects of derision - when given the opportunity to be more, they reach for it. The scene of the two passengers playing in the pool is delightful.
Completely agree with this assessment. My daughter (now almost 12) loved this movie when she was little. We watched it a lot. To add to your assessment, I think it did a good job of highlighting what happens when we as humans don't fulfill that mandate and focus instead on comfort and mindless consumption. The bodies of the humans on Axiom have become so far removed from their natural state to cause them problems. Then you add the lack of connection. It was refreshing to have that mirror image of how our society has largely become and what we were meant to be. The humans were happier and more fulfilled once they realized that they had a purpose, that connection was meaningful and needed, that people do matter outside of convenience. You see some of that when the human couple get knocked out of their chairs and their screens go out. They look at each other with wonder.
So sad to remember the creator of this masterpiece and many others, John Lassiter, had his career thrown into the toilet during the dark MeToo era because of false accusations that Disney/Pixar management was too chickenshit to question…
1000% agreed. Wall-E is one of the best animated movies of the last 25 years, and it has powerful themes (not the least of which is portraying a beautiful metaphor for sacrificial love and commitment).
I always avoided this movie because of the buzz around it being environment propaganda. I just watched it with the themes you brought up in mind and I now think it’s one of my favorite animated movies of this century. We should be honored that we have the duty to be stewards of the planet. It’s all about purpose
What a beautiful analysis and article. Thank you for writing it.
My family has always loved Wall-E, and it has been too long since we’ve watched it. Time to watch it again!
Thank you! I certainly did roll my eyes at the opening scenes when we first watched WALL-e with our grandchildren a few years ago, but I came away with a much less exciting overall understanding. All I saw was this is how we will turn out if we don't stop asking others to do our work for us. Rather boring, I know, but I have never been one with much of an imagination, so the fact that I even got that right was pretty exciting to me! :D
NOW!!!! I see it all!!! What a wonderful picture you have brought to my mind. I always liked it and knew there was a lesson to be learned, but THIS is far beyond what I ever imagined for a "cartoon"... :D I know, I have a lot to learn. Thank you for expanding my horizons and helping me to grow in my understanding of understanding stories! :)
Thanks. Your review got me to reconsider the film.
That's all I wanted to do. Thanks for reading.
Me too, well done. 👍
Gemmy review, I heart Wall-E
Superb analysis. Love that movie for all these reasons.
"Without a vision, the people perish."
Or they wax and grow fat.
.... and then perish.
WOW. I have always loved this movie and felt sad when people criticized it. Now I have the words for why! Thank you!!
I liked the movie when I watched it years ago. It had the same impact on me as you.
Thank you for the analysis. I always saw the film as the necessity of humans to be connected with each other face to face, not solely through screens, and the importance of human connection with nature. Reading your thoughts took my considerations even deeper.
Another excellent review of a book or movie. Not only do I see the movie more deeply, with more appreciation but I have more questions now - thought provoking. You ever thought of a book club on your platform?
I love this movie, in part because it’s deeply compassionate to its characters. Even the captain and the passengers, who could so easily have been simple caricatures and objects of derision - when given the opportunity to be more, they reach for it. The scene of the two passengers playing in the pool is delightful.
Completely agree with this assessment. My daughter (now almost 12) loved this movie when she was little. We watched it a lot. To add to your assessment, I think it did a good job of highlighting what happens when we as humans don't fulfill that mandate and focus instead on comfort and mindless consumption. The bodies of the humans on Axiom have become so far removed from their natural state to cause them problems. Then you add the lack of connection. It was refreshing to have that mirror image of how our society has largely become and what we were meant to be. The humans were happier and more fulfilled once they realized that they had a purpose, that connection was meaningful and needed, that people do matter outside of convenience. You see some of that when the human couple get knocked out of their chairs and their screens go out. They look at each other with wonder.
So sad to remember the creator of this masterpiece and many others, John Lassiter, had his career thrown into the toilet during the dark MeToo era because of false accusations that Disney/Pixar management was too chickenshit to question…
It's a beautiful movie, and such a reflection of today.
Even more relevant today, and the animation holds up as some of the best.