Russo Review — “Wall-E” DVD & Blu-Ray

Reviewed by: Joe Russo (Film Critic & SoSF Contributor)

Actors:
Format: AC-3, Color, Dolby, DTS Surround Sound, Dubbed, Subtitled, Widescreen
Language: English
Aspect Ratio: 1.78:1
Number of discs: 3
Rating: G
Studio: Walt Disney
DVD Release Date: November 18, 2008
Run Time: 98 minutes

Buy the DVD
Buy the Blu-Ray

Russo’s Rating: 10/10

One of the most stellar home video releases of a 2008 theatrical effort yet this year

Pixar films need a disclaimer: Not for kids under the age of seven. While WALL E is a brilliantly executed film, the computer animation titan’s latest picture just can’t hold the attention span of youngsters and even some fidgety adults. While the film is a beautiful homage to the silent era of motion pictures, the limited use of dialogue will likely render the pic unwatchable for rug rats.

WALL E is the last surviving robot on a desolate planet Earth overrun by garbage. While working to achieve his directive of cleaning the planet, something unexpected happens to WALL E, he develops a human personality. Through collecting relicts of our lost civilization, WALL E has become attracted to the human disposition and begins using umbrellas, enjoying the company of a pet, watching bad musicals amongst partaking in many of our other quirky habits. When a scout robot comes down to Earth searching for signs of life, WALL E falls head over heels for the technologically sleek EVE. Afraid of losing the “girl” of his dreams, WALL E follows EVE to the far corners of the universe, leading him on a wild adventure that will not only help him win over his female companion, but save the human race from the excesses of consumerism and laziness.

Andrew Stanton, the director of Pixar’s super successful, underwater adventure Finding Nemo, has again created a flawlessly executed animated project. However unlike Nemo, which could be called a traditional computer animated flick (Now that’s a oxymoron…), WALL E experiments with an extremely different kind of storyline. With very little dialogue throughout the duration of this science/fiction, romance epic, WALL E is going to be a tough challenge for some audiences. Luckily this Buster Keaton meets Johnny 5 meets HAL 3000 experiment works exceptionally well making WALL E one of, if not the most memorable character Pixar has created yet.

Accompanying the genre specific computer animated film is a bevy of nods and winks. While the physical comedy is obviously a throwback to silent legends like the aforementioned Keaton and Charlie Chaplin, Stanton cutely pays homage to science fiction giants like 2001: A Space Odyssey and Star Wars in quite memorable ways.

Speaking of Star Wars, sound designer Ben Burtt has again done an outstanding job helping to create a world of sounds for WALL E. The man responsible for making R2D2 the lovable trashcan that he is not only voices Pixar’s titular ‘bot, he constructed every clink and clang in the picture. WALL E is an even richer film thanks to Burtt’s incredible talent.

However what is most remarkable about WALL E is the jaw dropping animation throughout the film. With each passing picture Pixar continues to evolve their craft. WALL E is by far their most cinematic looking movie yet. With gorgeous camera moves, slick snap zooms and rack focuses, Stanton has made a film that looks every bit as good as the story that plays out. From their terrifying vision of a Post Apocalyptic Earth to the wonders of the final frontier, Pixar has created a true visual feast.

Now on DVD and BluRay disc, WALL E comes home in a masterful presentation worthy of displaying Pixar’s greatest animated achievement. While the DVD should suffice for casual viewers, the BluRay disc is a high-def junkies dream. The video and audio presentation alone for WALL E will move more then a few BluRay players this holiday season, as the disc is a great way to show off the technology.

The three disc special edition and BluRay are jam packed with bonus content as well. Offering something for youngsters, movie geeks and everyone in between, WALL E is by far one of the most stellar home video releases of a 2008 theatrical effort yet this year. Viewers everywhere will enjoy the new animated short, BURN-E, about another loveable, fixit robot whose seemingly simple task of fixing a space station sensor is constantly foiled by the paralleling adventures of WALL-E and EVE.

Also included with the discs is the theatrical short that accompanied WALL-E, Presto, as well as a bevy of behind the scenes features. Not surprisingly there is a documentary concerning Ben Burt’s amazing sound design, as well as the evolution of the process, behind the scenes featurettes and a BluRay exclusive picture-in-picture with director Andew Stanton!

While WALL-E may have been difficult viewing for younger viewers at the cinema, proving to be an aggravating movie experience for adults, at home with the ability to stop and start the film at your discretion, Andrew Stanton’s masterpiece should delight children of all ages.