Friday, November 21, 2008

WALL-E: The Best Film of 2008

I know I already reviewed WALL-E but I don't care. I don't think it did the film enough justice.

WALL-E (2008)


Very rarely does a film come along that truly makes you believe in something. It's one of the mystical traits of cinema that has been seemingly vacant since the golden age of filmmaking passed and the era of Hollywood churning out shit by the megaton began. But hey, if anyone knows how to make real movie magic it's Disney, and with renowned animation studio Pixar at the helm, WALL-E certainly had tremendous potential and boy did it deliver.

I reviewed WALL-E in July (click here!) after seeing it in theatres. Never had I been so tempted to stand up at the conclusion of the end credits and clap until my hands chafed. Forget the stunning visuals, magical first act devoid of any dialogue, a sweeping score by Thomas Newman, and even the never-too-distracting warning about the dangers of consumerism. WALL-E doesn't necessarily work as a sum of all those parts (though they certainly don't hurt). WALL-E works because it's an overwhelmingly endearing story about love.

And while that's all happy and cute and stuff, I think it is still important to digest an inescapable part of the film's message. Are we buying so much stuff that we're going to get to the point where the planet simply can't find enough space to hold it? Are we going to have to look at outer space as an alternative to Earth where we will fall victim to microgravity and lose our bones? Director Andrew Stanton said he didn't make this film with rampant consumerism being one of the main themes. I believe it. WALL-E is about love moreso than trashin' up the planet.

WALL-E deserves a Best Picture nom. It really does. Best Animated Feature should be a shoe-in, but why stop there? As much as I was wooed over by THE DARK KNIGHT, WALL-E is my #1 blockbuster of 2008.

WALL-E isn't a good children's movie. It's a splendid animated science fiction film for all ages. Don't let appearances deceive you.

Go out and buy WALL-E (preferably on Blu-Ray). You'll be happy.



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