WALL-E (2008)

Pixar seems to good to be true. The studio responsible for such groundbreaking films such as Toy Story, Finding Nemo, and The Incredibles has another bona fide classic on its hands with this summer's WALL-E. It would seem that, at some point, the bubble would have to burst and Pixar would have to produce a flop. It's just not natural to be this good this consistently.

WALL-E continues Pixar's tradition of increasingly beautiful computer animated films. The visual care present in each successive film always seems years ahead of what the rest of the industry is doing or capable of. It's nice to see filmmakers that aren't content with resting on their laurels; the envelope is continually being pushed. But the impressive technical feats of their movies is just the icing on the cake. These craftsmen have always cared as much about telling a good story as creating a visually stimulating one. And that is, perhaps, where WALL-E's greatest strength lies.

Director Andrew Stanton, who previously directed Finding Nemo and has had a hand in most Pixar creations, has crafted a tale with virtually no dialogue; a substantial risk if one expects to be able to entertain the children of the ADD generation. Adding to this bold experiment is the inclusion of live-action footage, a not so subtle jab at the direction the human race may be headed, and a soundtrack that consists largely of songs plucked from 1969's Hello, Dolly!.

WALL-E meanders from one exquisite setpiece to another, stopping occasionally for some touching characterizations and brief bouts of exposition, never in a hurry to get where its going. It's refreshing to see a major motion picture take the time to meditate on the simple charm of watching WALL-E himself discover things about himself and the world around him. Plot-wise this is the simplest Pixar movie yet, but who needs a plot when the other elements are so overwhelmingly enjoyable.

Grade = A