Some conservatives hate WALL-E. Some conservatives love WALL-E. Put me in the latter category. I highly recommend Rod Dreher's post (see the second link above). Because his post gives you the story line, let me suggest you go there and then come back here. This spares me from the tedious job of telling the story and possibly spares the dear reader from having to read the story twice. Let me just say at the start that the film is worth seeing merely as entertainment, containing a fun story line told in a riveting manner. The film is also quite edifying.
I am in large agreement with Rod. The film shows humans as alienated from nature (or Nature), choosing to distract themselves with video and fast food, not bothering to engage the world around them. The film has a handful of homages to 2001: A Space Odyssey, another film that uses outer space to show how technology can dampen our sense of wonder, thereby making us less human. The humans on the ship Axiom in WALL-E constantly have a video screen in front of their faces telling them what to buy, allowing them to both commerce and converse, and basically distracting them from their surroundings. One particular scene has two people having a conversation by video although they are sitting right next to each other. One woman has her video screen go out on her and is astounded to learn that the Axiom has a pool, although she's been sitting next to it for years. The humans in the film are fat consumerists devoid of eros (I think there is an implication that babies are made by machines) and devoid of knowledge of their past; they are lumps who live merely to be distracted and have their immediate desires fulfilled.
But the film's depiction of humanity is not simplistic. WALL-E himself is quite human, having the longing for another that the humans have lost, as well has finding meaning in the treasures of the Earth's past. WALL-E is an inspiration to the humans, who do ultimately redeem themselves. In this sense the film is not anti-human. If it is "anti" anything, it is anti-consumerist. Humans are not a foreign entity that spoils what is pristine. Instead, humans are part of nature and are called on to be responsible stewards.
There is no doubt that the film is a bit "green." This is no better depicted than at the end of the film with a not so subtle message that we should "love the Earth." But the movie isn't just green, and in that sense it is smarter than some conservatives let on. And after all, if one is to be conservative, ought not one have something to conserve?
The film is not kind to corporations. The Earth was taken over by BNL (Buy and Large) Corporation. This rubs some conservatives the wrong way. But shouldn't conservatives be worried about the commodification of our lives, even our very bodies? Is not consumerism a legitimate worry? One can critique corporations and the reduction of all things to a commodity without necessarily being a Marxist. I'd point out that the purpose of the film is to prick our consciences, not to advocate that the state take over the means of production.
Beyond the film's basically edifying message, the storyline is engaging and the characters endearing. In WALL-E, Pixar has created a delightful character who entertains for roughly the first thirty minutes of the film without saying a word. We saw the film in a theater packed with young kids and were astounded by how well behaved they were. I take that to be in part a sign of the film's ability to hold a child's attention. Other than a couple pedestrian chase scenes, I also found the film gripping. The odd love story that develops between WALL-E and the robot EVE (not a coincidental name) is touching without being sappy. I honestly hope the film gets a Best Picture nomination. Compared with the cynical Hollywood crap we are sure to see in this Fall's "Oscar season," WALL-E is a breath of fresh air.
A random comment: the film makers could have profited from reading Canticle for Leibowitz. This might temper their faith in humanity's ability to "get it right" this time.
As is often the case with Pixar films, there is an animated short before the film. It is about the magician Presto and a very hungry rabbit. It is hilarious. Pure animated genius.
Prof. Blanchard has developed a distaste for animated talking animals. I can't disagree with him there. But to the extent robots are a proxy for animals (although the robots don't really talk) I hope he overcomes this aversion long enough to see WALL-E. But I have seen the previews shown before WALL-E. There are more talking animal movies coming. And they all look awful.
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