Wall-E (2008)

Andrew Stanton's next movie after Finding Nemo is about a robot called Wall-E who is the only robot left on planet Earth and has the job of cleaning up the planet of all the rubbish left behind by humans. Wall-E's interest turns to a visiting robot called EVE who comes in search of life on the planet. This is still Pixar's most ambitious film to date (Up and next years Brave being possible exceptions) and probably why most people see Wall-E as Pixar's best.

Andrew proved that he is a very good director after the huge success of Finding Nemo and has made a film that is bereft of dialogue for at least the first 20 minutes but that is also breathtakingly majestic and intimate as well as being somewhat realistic. What I mean by realistic is he's made the audience think you're watching a live action film that has been made on another planet. Andrew brought in legendary cinematographer Roger Deakins to come in and help with the films sophisticated lightning schemes which gave the film it's 'realistic' look. Andrew also brought in sound wizard Ben Burrt who gave the film it's unique sound and made the world seem more believable.

The character of Wall-E is genius in it's design and a perfect example of the possibilities in animation you're ever likely to see. It's the little things that Wall-E does, his interest in human trash, the movements he makes that feel so human which will make you fall in love with him. Wall-E also has a certain sadness to him which comes across in his voice. You really feel for him when he meets up with EVE and falls in love (in a robot kind of way) It's at this point where the film is at it's most effective and evocative. Especially in the scenes where Wall-E takes EVE back to his crib. Not much has been said between the two robots but you get to see just how lonely Wall-E has become and that all he wants is a friend to share his treasures with.

The film suffers a slight stumble when the two robots depart from Earth and join up with the human race aboard the Axiom. It's here that Wall-E seems to get lost amongst all the new characters and is actually quite ironic that the humans on the ship don't feel as human as the robots in the film. Wall-E is also the first Pixar film to use live-action scenes. Originally Andrew and his crew had decided to go with green aliens instead of humans aboard the Axiom. A decision that he wisely chose to change for the final film. It's here that the film goes back to original Pixar territory in terms of storyline but is nevertheless, still very entertaining.

The fact that Pixar stuck it's neck out for this film is the one of the reasons why it's considered the best movie studio around. All Pixar had to do was sit back and make a film about butterflies and it would've still made an absolute mint at the box office. Instead Pixar made a film about a rusty old robot who didn't speak English and it went on to become the eighth highest grossing film of 2008. It also received 6 academy award nominations, the most of any Pixar movie and won the hearts of everyone who watched it. Easily one of my favourite films of 2008.