WALL-E

In case it needs to be said just one more time, animated films are not just for kids. Pixar repeatedly proves this through superior animation, superior storytelling, and by treating kids with respect. The themes in films like "Finding Nemo," "The Incredibles," "Ratatouille," and especially their newest, "WALL-E," are often new to kids but fully resonate with adults.
I grew up in the eighties and nineties when every cartoon I encountered was designed to sell me merchandise and fast food. "WALL-E" in notable for taking the opposite approach. To see a movie that shows kids you can't buy happiness in a truthful way is astounding.
Set 700 years in the future, the earth is a wasteland, and a little robot named WALL-E has been left to clean it up. He spends his days compacting trash, one cube at a time. He spends his nights all alone, watching old Hollywood musicals and dreaming of meeting someone, anyone, because he never has. Except for the cockroach. What he does know is that the earth was abandoned for what was meant to be a five year luxury cruise. As explained by the CEO of the Big'n'Large Corporation (Fred Willard) which owns everything, humanity would float in space indulging only in pleasure until the robots cleaned the planet and the humans could return. WALL-E is the last of these robots. But it's not long before another arrives. EVE is her name and WALL-E couldn't be happier. EVE has been designed to blow things up and is a warrior compared to the thoughtful and gentle WALL-E.
When they discover a tiny plant in the ground it's proof that the earth can sustain life once again. The two little robots meet up with the space cruiser to find the whole of humanity floating around the ship on recliners. Everyone is overweight, no one walks, and all day long the B'n'L Corp. is selling them happiness. The idea of a single corporation controlling everything and encouraging humans not to think is hardly new to sci-fi, but to see it in a movie that will be seen by almost every six year old in America is revolutionary.
Much is being made of the dark themes in "WALL-E." Of the view that people have given up caring about anything but themselves. But I saw an uplifting film that showed that when we're up against it, humans can achieve remarkable things through sheer determination. This is interwoven with a robo-love story with sparse dialogue that is far more involving for the audience than most human love stories.
"WALL-E" is a film much like its title character, overflowing with heart. Once again Pixar has raised the bar for animated films, visually and thematically. "Kung Fu Panda" is a lot of fun, but "WALL-E" is a film rich with ideas and imagination that will probably only improve with repeat viewings. Congratulations to director Andrew Stanton and sound designer (and voice of WALL-E) Ben Burtt. This is a film that will not soon be forgotten. 9/10. (Though with a second viewing I might bump this up to a 10.)
Also, don't miss the pre-feature short, "Presto."