I think he may be referring to the fact that, creatively, the film seemed to be a step down from their previous entries into the animated feature realm. Then again, I am of the persuasion that Ratatouille was also less than stellar, so I may not be the best judge of Pixar as of late...

Cars was by far the weakest. If it wasn't from Pixar, I think it would have been more well-received. It isn't what I pull off the shelf, but it isn't horrible.

Ratatouille had some issues but imo, was the second best of the Pixar picture... which I always felt were too formulaic.

Perhaps, but it was still better than most of what comes from any other studio's animation division, and while it was not as well received critically as other Pixar films, it was/is still a strong financial success, and generally well-liked by Disney/Pixar fans.

Of course, I am of the opinion that Ratatouille is easily in the top three Pixar films, so our perceptions will probably vary.

My issues with both Cars and Ratatouille are that I don't like racing and I couldn't care less about kitchens and food. They are fine movies, funny and well-made, but the core subject doesn't interest me in the slightest.

But I could watch the superheroes of The Incredibles, or the toys from Toy Story all day long. I like Finding Nemo, but mostly for the father-son stuff (I'm a sucker for it) and Dory. I don't really like A Bug's Life, because I don't really care about bugs either, now that I think about it.

So when I look at Wall*E, which appears to include robots, spaceships and science fiction, I can pretty much automatically say I'm going to love it.

I can't stand racing or Larry The Cable Guy. I loved Cars.

Yes, only slightly behind Ice Age and Horton Hears a Who and tied with Jimmy Neutron: Boy Genius. How much of Pixar's other output would you place alongside those films?

I'm going to see this at Pixar on Thursday

Bite me

I'm back from the viewing of Wall-E at Pixar.

I'll start off with Presto the short. Spoilered in case people don't want to know.
Includes an image.


Onto Wall-E.

At this point I think the plot is clear to everyone, and that people know that the first 45 mins has practically no dialog.

The animation in this film is just unbelievable, there are parts where I was watching, and thought it was film, Wall-E himself is just incredible.

There are a couple of fun nods to Apple, I won't spoil them. I did read somewhere that Jonathan Ive who designed the iPod helped come up with the concept for Eve.

While watching some of the scenes in Space I couldn't help but think that George Lucas could have taken some lessons from the Pixar folks when doing Star Wars.

Overall it's a cute movie with a cute story, and I loved it. I'll have to go see it again to soak it up, but I think Pixar have a huge hit on there hands here.

Also a huge thanks to my wife's friend for inviting us over there, I've been there a few times now, and know several of the animators, and its a super fun place. They are all so down to earth, and its really interesting to hear them talk about the film.

For the most part when they watch it, they don't see the film, they just think of what was going on while they were working on that scene.

Also checking out the artwork and models at Pixar that are done for something like this is incredible.

I know! I want to see this film early! Usually I can get passes from a friend of mine, but I don't know if I will be able to snag some for Wall-E!

BadlyDrawnBoy -- Thanks for the review! You made me even more excited for the movie. I exactly know what you mean when you said " I'll have to go see it again to soak it up."

I usually love watching the movie the first time out of anticipation and then watch it again to actually enjoy it, calmly!

I feel the same way about Cars. I'm just not into the subject matter. Ratatouille is a film I should like after going to culinary school and cooking all my life but somehow it just never grew on me. Still very excited to see this.

I almost bought a Wall-E lamp the other night and just as I was grabbing it to put it in my cart my wife blurted out that I might not even like the movie and I shouldn't buy the lamp. I didn't buy the lamp but I will probably get it behind her back later this week.

I liked the Toy Story movies a lot, liked Finding Nemo a lot, and I LOVED The Incredibles.

And I love Science Fiction.

But I have very little interest in Wall-E. The trailer just turned me off, and I'm not sure why. Maybe it's the juxtoposition of a case of the cutes in a setting that is anything but cute, I don't know - I just know that I'm not particularly interested in seeing this one.

I wasn't interested in Cars, either, and I've never been able to sit through the whole thing. It was OK, but it didn't hold my attention. I have a feeling Wall-E will be the same.

Maybe I'm wrong. The trailer sure didn't sell me on the movie.

When the hell are they going to do another Incredibles movie?!!? Talk about a movie that just SCREAMS for a sequel!

Roeper and Phillips did an early review of WALL-E on their show and both gave it high praise, calling it one of the best movies of the year.

They said the first 30 minutes or so are "trenched in science fiction" and have a kind of stark tone and that this part might make young kids a little restless, but then it shifts and the pace picks up. Adults and kids alike should really enjoy it.

Can't wait till Friday!

The only thing that worries me is how they handle the "topical" issues. Poking fun at our culture's obsession with disposable consumer products and the obesity problem (both of which I agree have reached obscene levels) would be OK, but if it gets preachy at all, it will completely turn me off. We don't need another Happy Feet train wreck. Not that those topics don't deserve serious discussion, but it does NOT belong in a Pixar movie.

Really? I don't see any "hidden" meanings in the movie. I think it is just another story subject Pixar choose to make a movie about...robots. It's got a 97% on Rotten Tomatoes and was quoted "It's rarer still that said picture is also praised as intelligent, visually remarkable, darkly funny, and ultimately, heartwarming family fare. However, critics say the good folks at Pixar have done just that with WALL-E, perhaps the studio's most audacious film yet."

Looks like it's going to be amazing!