Review - Wall-E (2008)

Review – Wall-E (2008)


Wall-E is a 2008 CGI Science Fiction Animation produced by Pixar Animation Studios and directed by Andrew Stanton.
The story is based within the year 2805; Earth has been abandoned due to mass consumerism, leaving a huge amount of garbage and causing toxicity which has left earth uninhabitable. Left to clean up this mess, the megacorporation ‘Buy ‘n’ Large’ has sanctioned robots to clean up. The story follows around last remaining trash compactor robot called “Wall-E”, who has developed beyond its programming, able to perceive and feel human emotion.

Fig.1 the dirty look of Wall-E is strongly contrasted with the environment and characters within the Axiom later in the film

Although robots cannot technically speak English, the film is a success for its ability to tell a story with little dialogue. The Independent’s review of Wall-E describes it “Like the old silents, Wall-E becomes a masterclass in non-verbal communication, conducted with all the expertise, wit and precision for which Pixar is now a byword” (Quinn, 2008). Wall-E Also succeeds in its great attention to detail; within the little details- such as trinkets that Wall-E has collected through the years; to the films establishment distinction within character identity.

Fig.2 Wall-E's "Eyes" are a notable asset that is focused on in some segments of the film

Among other things, the film contains an underlying tone of the environment and its disastrous consequences. Wall-E was released a few years after Al Gore’s film ‘An Inconvenient Truth’ (2008) and details the theory that our consumerism/neglect for the environment is what made Earth inhabitable. Louise Keller from the Urban Cinefile writes that “The underlying environmental message comes across strongly but never with heavy hands and the miracle of the film is that we connect with a little industrious robot that makes a difference and finds love to boot.” (Keller, 2008)It’s somewhat of a sad truth that the films plot is drawn more along the lines of the audiences’ attachment to the character, drawing focus away from the reasons what caused the environmental disaster, especially in the second-half as the audience views great bright lights and pretty colours within a clean very-commercialised environment.

Fig.3 Wall-E's commercialism is another underlying undertone

The Art of Wall-E is fantastically designed; the character of design of Wall-E creates a great contrast with the other characters encountered. James Christopher from The Times writes “Science fiction is littered with lovesick robots. But it’s the retro art that captures the imagination. The future unspools like an old-fashioned silent movie. Barely a word is spoken, yet the sepia images reveal a dystopian marvel.” (Christopher, 2008) The film’s current environment of earth compliments the design of Wall-E’s character and home, whilst characters such as Eve and the Axiom help to create a strong contrast with the time, and even technology’s evolvement. The first half-hour on the dusty and dirty planet earth compliments this distinction on a grander scale. As the rest of the film is shown in space, on the great Axiom where commercialism hasn’t died, and instead influenced the earth’s surviving population into more obese and somewhat ignorant selves over the years. This is another underlying tone - rampant commercialism; which is somewhat ironic as Disney released countless products to promote the movie, including costumes, action figures, video games and soft toys.

Although one couldn't find much info in regards to it, it is worth mentioning the development of Wall-E, the following is a series of images that involve concept art for character and environment design, pre-viz shots, storyboard art, and fictional promotional posters that were used within as well as to promote the film.

Fig.4 Concept Art: Secondary Character

Fig.5 Pre-Viz Shot

Fig.6 Primary Character Development

Fig.7 Primary Character Development

Fig.8 Concept Art: Environment

Fig.9 Fictional Promotional Poster for the In-Movie Corporation

Fig.10 Fictional Promotional Poster for the In-Movie Corporation

Fig.11 Fictional Promotional Poster for the In-Movie Corporation

Fig.12 Fictional Promotional Poster for the In-Movie Corporation

Fig.13 Storyboard Art

Fig.14 Concept Art: Scene

Fig.15 Environment Concept Art

Illustrations

Poster Art.
http://i.imgur.com/h34WD.jpg
(Accessed: 30th March 2011)


Fig.1 Colours
http://i.imgur.com/vw7Z4.jpg
(Accessed: 30th March 2011)

Fig.2 Eyes
http://i.imgur.com/hgblw.jpg
(Accessed: 30th March 2011)

Fig.3 Scenery
http://i.imgur.com/3sruL.jpg
(Accessed: 30th March 2011)

Fig.4 Concept Art: Secondary Character
http://i.imgur.com/jYAbE.jpg
(Accessed: 30th March 2011)

Fig.5 Pre-Viz Shot
http://i.imgur.com/aFf8x.jpg
(Accessed: 30th March 2011)

Fig.6 Primary Character Development
http://i.imgur.com/6fCcI.jpg
(Accessed: 30th March 2011)

Fig.7 Primary Character Development
http://i.imgur.com/Ynt59.jpg
(Accessed: 30th March 2011)

Fig.8 Concept Art: Environment
http://i.imgur.com/bQcdG.jpg
(Accessed: 30th March 2011)

Fig.9 Fictional Promotional Poster for the In-Movie Corporation
http://i.imgur.com/B3pnh.jpg
(Accessed: 30th March 2011)

Fig.10 Fictional Promotional Poster for the In-Movie Corporation
http://i.imgur.com/K3Z2h.jpg
(Accessed: 30th March 2011)

Fig.11 Fictional Promotional Poster for the In-Movie Corporation
http://i.imgur.com/TYCVA.jpg
(Accessed: 30th March 2011)

Fig.12 Fictional Promotional Poster for the In-Movie Corporation
http://i.imgur.com/TvMhX.jpg
(Accessed: 30th March 2011)

Fig.13 Storyboard Art
http://i.imgur.com/8vw12.jpg
(Accessed: 30th March 2011)

Fig.14 Concept Art: Scene
http://i.imgur.com/eab6q.jpg
(Accessed: 30th March 2011)

Fig.15 Environment Concept Art
http://i.imgur.com/rBNz3.jpg
(Accessed: 30th March 2011)


Biography

The Independent
WALL-E (U) - Out of this world
Author: Anthony Quinn
18th July 2008
http://www.independent.co.uk/arts-entertainment/films/reviews/walle-u-870497.html
(Accessed: 30th March 2011)

Urban Cinefile
WALL-E
Author: Louise Keller
13th September 2008
http://www.urbancinefile.com.au/home/view.asp?a=14800&s=Reviews
(Accessed: 30th March 2011)

The Times
WALL-E - Pixar’s perambulating dustbin with a heart will be a hit with the whole family
Author: James Christopher
18th July 2008
http://entertainment.timesonline.co.uk/tol/arts_and_entertainment/film/film_reviews/article4345499.ece
(Accessed: 30th March 2011)