Pixar and Dreamworks films discussions

This film is so utterly amazing. I have a hard time thinking Pixar will top it anytime soon, but they always have a knack for finding a great script. I think it's a masterpiece, though, and it really hammered the point home to me that Pixar is to the 21st century what the Disney animation studios were in the 20th century.

The ending reel animation was superb, and I enjoyed the little artistic references to art epochs. Ditto for the geek references (Sputnik, the Apple startup sound, etc). And the bit with EVE holding the plant in her little robo-womb? Inspired. They somehow avoided that being a huge eye-rolling cliche.

What I was really disappointed in was the tie-in game. I'd kill to play with the sprites they had at after the art-scene bits. THAT would be a killer game.

This is an instant classic.

So this is one of those pieces of art that sticks in your brain, I've decided. Like the desolate world of Winter in "The Left Hand of Darkness" or the Colossi in "Shadow of the Colossus" or the melancholy resignation of "No Surprises" on Radiohead's OK Computer. This is sticking with me. I keep thinking about it.

I have a feeling that unless something crazy happens between now and the end of the year this may end up being my favorite movie of the year.

I have a feeling that unless something crazy happens between now and the end of the year this may end up being my favorite movie of the year.

I think that if it had ended differently, it would have been in the running for a Best Picture Oscar. As it stands, it's merely Outstanding. But on a certain level, you knew they couldn't do that. We had an experience similar to kilroy with a kid making the same remarks in front of us today. I found myself thankful that my own child had passed out near the end. It's easily in my top 3 Pixar flicks, maybe even top 2, but I'm having a hard time deciding exactly what my top 3 Pixar films are. But the hard part isn't deciding which Pixar flick is your favorite. On the drive home, my wife and I were both actually trying to figure out which Pixar flick was our least favorite. I sincerely don't have one. There's not one I'm willing to put there.

Ok, maybe Cars.

Maybe.

The ..[color=white]rebuilt/boot-up [/color].. scene was very poignant. All viewers in the auditorium, it seemed, sat on the edge of their seats if baited breath.

Wow. I think Pixar managed to create the single most cute, charming film ever made. They really stripped their storytelling down to the bare essentials this time around. Their films have been getting more and more complex but this time they took a step back and really focus on the adventures of two robots. Yeah, there's more to it than that but the focus really lets them give the two main characters tons of personality, charm and heart. I also loved how little dialog there really was.

Once again Pixar completely blows my mind with what computer graphics can do. In the last few films they managed to make some unbelievably realistic looking sets. Now it's getting into finer details; watching how piles of garbage move as Wall-E scoops them up is mind-bogglingly real. It's not just how something looks but how they move and react according to physics. They really outdo themselves each film.

So yeah, it's pretty amazing stuff. While I think The Incredibles is their most enjoyable movie I'd say that Wall-E is their finest.

I really loved this movie - I was pretty surprised, because I thought the previews looked fairly awful. It was absolutely amazing. If you have a chance to see it in a theater definitely don't wait for the video. There are so many awesome vistas that look great on the big screen. The gigantic equipment on the ruined planet, the sights of the galaxy in outer space; it was by far the most beautiful movie that Pixar has made yet.

Yeah. The gamer in me wants to know where is the game that will evoke emotions the way this movie did. It's that good. Where is the book? Where is the album? It's so strong it has me looking for that genius in other mediums.

Great movie. I don't think you'll find any argument from anybody, critic, audience or box office.

Gorilla.800.lbs wrote:

The ..[color=white]rebuilt/boot-up [/color].. scene was very poignant. All viewers in the auditorium, it seemed, sat on the edge of their seats if baited breath.

I was really surprised at how scary the roach scene (in the initial 10-20 minutes) was. I jumped and gasped, the entire theatre did, really.

I mean, it's just a bug. And here some 200+ people were feeling genuine shock and concern over its life.

That's just amazing.

DSGamer wrote:

Yeah. The gamer in me wants to know where is the game that will evoke emotions the way this movie did. It's that good.

Yes! Thank you! The closest game event in my personal pool of experience I can recall is the ending of MGS3, and the revelation of The Boss' mission.

But really, no game has come close to matching this film. Something this transcendent really shows how off the mark game-development is. I'm not sure if it's the medium or if it's execution, but how could any game cinematic come anywhere near something like this? When something happens in a game scene that I don't agree with, I want to fight it with my every fiber. I want to reload a save, pull out a resurrection spell, do anything in my power to stop it because I know I have agency. With film, I'm forced to go along with it. I'm in someone else's hands entirely.

Dominic Knight wrote:

EDIT: Do you think I could ask for the cardboard WALL-E in the movie theatre? And get it once the movie is over?

Ah, the advantages of having a son who currently works in a movie theater are pretty awesome. Needless to say, I've had Wall-E in my living room since early May now.

/gloat mode off

DSGamer wrote:

Yeah. The gamer in me wants to know where is the game that will evoke emotions the way this movie did. It's that good. Where is the book? Where is the album? It's so strong it has me looking for that genius in other mediums.

I would argue that Ico is that game. It even has a pretty similar story and method, following two mostly silent characters with a lot of the story told through their animation. I actually think Ico is more powerful than Wall-E in some ways because it didn't need to have a Disney ending.

Dreaded Gazebo wrote:

I actually think Ico is more powerful than Wall-E in some ways because it didn't need to have a Disney ending.

It did sort of have that cliche Disney ending. Everyone lives happily ever after sort of thing, but I was really glad they didn't show that in the actual movie itself. Using the art during the credits was a much better way to tell what happened afterwards.

But Disney did touch on environmental themes that I had only ever really seen in Miyazaki movies. I'm glad they did have those in there, as it really does show what could happen if we don't clean up our act soon.

>.> I want a WALL-E now. And an EVE.

Dominic Knight wrote:
Dreaded Gazebo wrote:

I actually think Ico is more powerful than Wall-E in some ways because it didn't need to have a Disney ending.

It did sort of have that cliche Disney ending. Everyone lives happily ever after sort of thing, but I was really glad they didn't show that in the actual movie itself. Using the art during the credits was a much better way to tell what happened afterwards.

I think it had to end that way. Sort of. My perfect ending would have been for humans to have stumbled onto the either and felt despair and disappointment. The captain (really one of only a couple of humans who "gets it") plants the flower and decides he'll have to lead the way. Meanwhile we dispense with the happy ending and leave the humans with a single plant and a bleak future with one person full of hope.

Cut to Eve and WALL-E. Finish with them. The end.

Dominic Knight wrote:

>.> I want a WALL-E now. And an EVE.

A real one or a toy?

Cramps wrote:

Great movie. I don't think you'll find any argument from anybody, critic, audience or box office.

Reading the local newspaper, there was a review from an Arizona paper (why they couldn't get their own review I don't know) in which the reviewer denounced its environmentalist and anti-corporation message and thought it was slow and boring. He also made many very bad electronics analogies.

Stengah wrote:
Cramps wrote:

Great movie. I don't think you'll find any argument from anybody, critic, audience or box office.

Reading the local newspaper, there was a review from an Arizona paper

Is this the review?

I had to laugh after reading that review in the Tucson paper. The reviewer came at it from such an odd angle. It was interesting to see someone rate the film mediocre, but his criticisms seemed either off the mark or misguided to me.

DSGamer wrote:
Dominic Knight wrote:

>.> I want a WALL-E now. And an EVE.

A real one or a toy?

Both. XD A real one to help me sort stuff and find odd things. And a toy just for my bookcase.

Dominic Knight wrote:
DSGamer wrote:
Dominic Knight wrote:

>.> I want a WALL-E now. And an EVE.

A real one or a toy?

Both. XD A real one to help me sort stuff and find odd things. And a toy just for my bookcase.

I await the irony that is Disney selling all sort of Wall-E merchandises. What? We all know it's going to happen.

Stengah wrote:
Cramps wrote:

Great movie. I don't think you'll find any argument from anybody, critic, audience or box office.

Reading the local newspaper, there was a review from an Arizona paper (why they couldn't get their own review I don't know) in which the reviewer denounced its environmentalist and anti-corporation message and thought it was slow and boring. He also made many very bad electronics analogies.

My point sticks. It sounds like that's a no-body, not an anybody.

Thirteenth wrote:
Dominic Knight wrote:
DSGamer wrote:
Dominic Knight wrote:

>.> I want a WALL-E now. And an EVE.

A real one or a toy?

Both. XD A real one to help me sort stuff and find odd things. And a toy just for my bookcase.

I await the irony that is Disney selling all sort of Wall-E merchandises. What? We all know it's going to happen.

Going to happen? Already planned....

sheared wrote:
Thirteenth wrote:

I await the irony that is Disney selling all sort of Wall-E merchandises. What? We all know it's going to happen.

Going to happen? Already planned....

Yeah, well. Disney.

I went into the theater expecting a really great movie, and that's exactly what I got. What I didn't expect though, was to be so moved by the characters. Nemo is the only other "cartoon movie" that did that to me, but WALL-E took it to a whole new level. Like everyone else has said, WALL-E is an incredible, beautiful movie, in every possible way. IMHO, it's easily Pixar's finest work.

Gorilla.800.lbs wrote:

The ..[color=white]rebuilt/boot-up [/color].. scene was very poignant. All viewers in the auditorium, it seemed, sat on the edge of their seats if baited breath.

This is a perfect example of how and why I am already in love with WALL-E. In the back of my mind I had to keep reminding myself that this is a kids movie. There's no way they can end the movie like this. The whole time though, it felt like I was forcing myself to believe it, and things would not end well.

Later that evening I realized why that scene had so much impact on me.

spoilers wrote:

[color=white]It felt like I was watching the end of "One Flew Over the Cuckoo's Nest," when the Chief is doing everything he can to get a reaction from the Nicholson, after the lobotomy.[/color]

Heavy, heavy, stuff and Pixar absolutely nailed it.

sheared wrote:

Going to happen? Already planned....

It's cute and amusing... >.> I mostly want just a simple figure for my growing collection. XD The ultimate WALL-E is tempting though, but I think I'll manage to resist.... I think.

I have nothing to add that hasn't been said already. This movie was fantastic. Top movie of the year? Probably.

I definitely agree with Gazebo's Ico comparison. They share a lot of similarities, like the love story sans dialogue and hand-holding symbolism. I wouldn't say Ico would move someone as much as WALL-E, but relative to their own media, it was as powerful a game as WALL-E was a movie.

Ultimate WALL-E Programmable Robot

Here is a more detailed look at the robot and what it will be able to do.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=UveB5...

Actual Video at the Expo showing the Ultimate WALL-E in action.

According to the demonstrator in the video, Ultimate WALL-E will be in the stores in Sept/Oct 2008. Just in time for some mega advertisement to make it a wanted Xmas item.

It's kind of sad, actually. The beauty of the movie is how much personality they infused into that cartoon robot. This thing will only be as smart as a casual Mindstorms creation. And it will be collected in the future by a real WALL-E and disposed of neatly in a pile.

Damn you US enablers! This movie isn't due for release in Europe till the 30th of July

DSGamer wrote:

It's kind of sad, actually. The beauty of the movie is how much personality they infused into that cartoon robot. This thing will only be as smart as a casual Mindstorms creation. And it will be collected in the future by a real WALL-E and disposed of neatly in a pile.

That's what's really unfortunate.

I merely want a real Wall-e for the fact that I have sorting tendencies... kind of an OCD thing.

I wasn't expecting to love this movie as much as I did - but it really cast a spell on me. I think this is probably my favorite Pixar movie, though of course I want to see how it holds up under repeat viewings.

I think when Wall-E finally comes out on home video, this will be the movie that makes me spring for a blu-ray player.

Dominic Knight wrote:
DSGamer wrote:
Dominic Knight wrote:

>.> I want a WALL-E now. And an EVE.

A real one or a toy?

Both. XD A real one to help me sort stuff and find odd things. And a toy just for my bookcase.

Goddard! Play dead!

I didn't get to go and I'm still bummed. It's already on the budget of purchase when it hits DVD.

If you want, let me talk to the gang at Gamecrazy and see what they've got in the way of promo-stuff for the game. That tends to fit into the decor a little easier than that monstrosity down at Bella Botega. I've got some awesome posters and stuff from them.

momgamer wrote:

I didn't get to go and I'm still bummed. It's already on the budget of purchase when it hits DVD.

If you want, let me talk to the gang at Gamecrazy and see what they've got in the way of promo-stuff for the game. That tends to fit into the decor a little easier than that monstrosity down at Bella Botega. I've got some awesome posters and stuff from them.

o.o That would be AWESOME! Not to mention it would probably fit better in my room.

Wall-e is definitely ready to be purchased for when it comes to DVD in my household. Although my mom hasn't gone to see it yet... But once she does, she'll love it too.