WALL·E (2008); animated family film

PIXAR'S STARS: WALL·E (voiced by Ben Burtt) and EVE (Elissa Knight) in the film WALL·E.
Image: Walt Disney Pictures, Pixar.

A Robotic Romantic by Linh

WALL•E is the latest animated film from Pixar, bringing together the creative team of animators and producers who were responsible for the animated hit films Finding Nemo and The Incredibles.

Set seven hundred years into the future, WALL•E is simply a love story about a lonely robotic garbologist named WALL•E (Waste Allocation Load Lifter – Earth Class) who has been left on Earth to clean up the rubbish left behind by humans. Everyone has relocated to a giant luxury spaceship called Axiom because Earth can no longer sustain life. When WALL•E meets EVE (who is on a mission to find evidence of life on Earth) he is immediately smitten and attempts to win her love. As EVE is taken to the spaceship Axiom, WALL•E believes she is being kidnapped so he attempts to save her.

Andrew Stanton wrote and directed WALL•E based on the concept, "What if mankind had to leave earth, and somebody forgot to turn off the last robot?"
The team behind WALL•E cleverly projects the art of story telling by combining sophisticated visual techniques with audio effects.

The first half of the film contains minimal dialogue and only consists of mechanical noises from WALL•E and his cockroach friend Hal. When WALL•E finds himself onboard the Axiom, we hear human voices from animated humans who look like giant babies sitting all day in hover chairs connected to hologram screens.

Ben Burtt's audio and sound effects wizardry provides the ‘voice’ of WALL•E and another robot named M•O, amongst others. Burtt effectively uses his original mechanical sound recordings to give WALL•E the anthropomorhic touch of human feelings with each vocal inflection and an endearing quality.

The technology used to create WALL•E, and all the other robots is phenomenal. WALL•E has a curious nature and likes collecting unusual and interesting objects amongst the garbage. He has a VHS copy of the musical Hello Dolly, which taught him to sing, dance and hold hands (his way of expressing love). He is solar powered and has twin hydraulic arm shovels. WALL•E's front opens up to gather and then compress rubbish. He also possesses an inbuilt recorder which he uses to record songs from the musical Hello Dolly. WALL•E's eyes are cameras and between them he has a laser. Some of these technical components are used in other ways throughout the film to project human characteristics.

EVE (Extra-terrestrial Vegetation Evaluator) is voiced by Elissa Knight, and is an advanced probe droid sent to Earth on a scanning mission. EVE is equipped with a laser gun and capable of flight and high speeds. She is determined to complete her task and initially fails to notice her robot Romeo, WALL•E. EVE and WALL•E eventually bond and the more she sees how much WALL•E cares for her, the more she falls for him, ultimately making it her top priority to protect him.

The most adorable and funny little robot is M-O (Microbe-Obliterator). M-O is also a cleaning robot who resides aboard the Axiom. He's programmed to clean items deemed contaminated, and travels around on a single roller equipped with cleaning equipment. M-O befriends WALL•E after he attempts to clean dirt off WALL•E's body.

The only 'real' human who appears in the film is Fred Willlard's character Shelby Forthright, the CEO of Buy N Large, the corporate giant which built WALL•E and the Axiom. Willard gives an impressive and highly animated performance, almost as if he should be a cartoon human like the rest of the people onboard Axiom.

Alien star Sigourney Weaver provides the Computer's voice onboard the Axiom, and is gaining a reputation as the sci-fi siren with her acting credits including Ghost Busters 1 and 2, the Alien movies and the upcoming James Cameron sci-fi thriller Avatar.

Although the stars of the film are the plethora of robots with various functions, the presence of humans gives a gentle reminder of how fragile humanity can be and the importance of caring for the environment. Other underlying issues include consumerism and corporate commercialism.

WALL•E is pure enjoyment for all ages and comes with some food for thought. Few animated films have engaged the imagination and moved the senses as WALL•E, making it exceptional•e extraordinar•e.

THE FINAL FUN-TIER: WALL·E travels into space in the film WALL·E.
Image: Walt Disney Pictures, Pixar.

Disney's Enchanted - film review

ENCHANTMENT: A hand drawn animation scene from the film 'Enchanted'. Image: Walt Disney Pictures -
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Fairytale Fun by Linh

Disney has returned to its roots yet has added a touch of reality to its usual animated magic.

In its latest family film offering, Disney's 'Enchanted' combines comedy and musical animation with live action in a wonderful juxtaposition of fairytale 'happily ever after' and cynical New York style endings.

In its opening scenes, 'Enchanted' encompasses all the typical Disney animated flair which is reminiscent of its classic hand drawn animation films, but the fantasy continues in a different form when the animated characters enter the real world of modern day New York as real people.

Amy Adams stars as the fairytale Princess-to-be, Giselle, whose only wish is to marry the dashing Prince Edward whom she believes is her one true love. Amy Adams' portrayal of Giselle embodies all the Disney heroines including Snow White, Sleeping Beauty and Cinderella, yet she succeeds in making Giselle a uniquely extraordinary character. Amy Adams shines in all her musical numbers, in particular the big production song That's How You Know with a reggae beat and a touch of cheeky brass accompanying her dulcet vocals. In Happy Working Song her vocal expression is euphonious as she dances and sings while cockroaches, pigeons and rats help her clean the house.

Patrick Dempsey of television's 'Grey's Anatomy' fame, provides the romantic interest who is unusually unromantic. Patrick Dempsey's character represents the realities of life, who unflinchingly dismisses fairytales as nonsense until he is touched by Giselle's irresistible charms.

James Marsden plays the vapid and vain Prince Edward with plenty of charm whose chivalry knows no bounds. James Marsden sings with vocal brilliance in the duet True Love's Kiss with Amy Adams, brings romance and passion to That's Amore and is believable as the fairytale Prince.

Susan Sarandon is the venomous and evil Queen Narissa whose only goal is to eliminate any competition to her reign in the Kingdom of Andalasia. Susan Sarandon is deliciously wicked and quite frightening in both animated version and live action as the Queen.

Topping and tailing 'Enchanted' is the actress who has enchanted a generation of film goers with her familiar distinctive vocals - Julie Andrews, whose narration is fittingly eloquent.

Alan Menken's canorous musical composition combined with Stephen Schwartz's well-pitched lyrics make the score of 'Enchanted' an aural pleasure.

'Enchanted' is a brilliant film for the entire family and anyone who likes the magic of Disney with a twist.

MUSICAL MUSINGS: Amy Adams as Giselle and Patrick Dempsey as Robert in a scene from 'Enchanted'.
Image: Walt Disney Pictures -
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The Game Plan; Charity screening - family film review

FATHER FIGURE: Dwayne 'The Rock' Johnson as Joe Kingman and Madison Pettis as Peyton in a scene from 'The Game Plan'.
Image: Ron Philips/Disney Enterprises.


The charity preview screening of 'The Game Plan' is to support the Starlight Children's Foundation, with all proceeds used to brighten the lives of seriously ill children.

Musclehead Turns Marshmallow by Linh

Former wrestling champion Dwayne 'The Rock' Johnson shows he can be soft as a marshmallow on the inside while maintaining his tough exterior with his latest film 'The Game Plan'.

In typical Disney style, 'The Game Plan' consists of the usual formula of children, animals, frazzled adults, and a lesson or two to be learned. There's even American Football, ballet plus shameless product placement and advertising as part of the script.

Dwayne Johnson stars as the self-absorbed, popular and charming quarterback for the Boston Rebels, Joe Kingman, whose well-structured life is thrown off balance when he meets the eight year old daughter he never knew he had. His daughter, Peyton, informs him that her mother is unreachable as she's in Sudan saving lives, so it's his responsibility to care for his daughter. Joe Kingman relunctantly agrees, as he couldn't resist the big, brown innocent eyes of his little girl. Yet she is not as sweet and innocent as he thinks.

Dwayne Johnson is unexpectedly very funny and entertaining to watch as the bachelor learning to be a father. Dwayne Johnson does very well in playing a role against type, a huge change from his other heroic tough guy roles. Joe Kingman is a devoted Elvis Presley fan and fills his life with Elvis memorabilia and actions, which gives Dwayne Johnson the opportunity to sing a stirring rendition of Are You Lonesome Tonight while playing his Elvis Presley labelled guitar.

Madison Pettis is a natural talent as the observant and patient Peyton who sees her father as a challenge but accepts his character flaws with a mature attitude compared to Joe Kingman's childishness and "It's all about me, it's mine" personality. Madison Pettis delivers a very believable performance as the young girl searching for a father figure in Joe Kingman and her ballet scenes with Joe are inspiring.

Kyra Sedgwick is delightfully pushy yet well-meaning as Stella Peck, Joe's very demanding and money-hungry agent whose attempts to secure lucrative sponsorship deals for Joe Kingman are placed in doubt as Joe commits to his Daddy duties. Kyra Sedgwick plays it too straight-faced and serious as she tries to babysit Peyton, but ends up hiring a nanny.

Roselyn Sanchez plays Peyton's ballet teacher, Monique Vasquez whose professionalism and skills at ballet equal Joe Kingman's football playing abilities. Yet the two clash on their first meeting, until she recruits Joe as an integral part of her ballet production. Roselyn Sanchez is dainty and glamourous in her ballet attire, who also provides the strong-willed female mentor Peyton seeks, as a teacher and friend.

'The Game Plan' is a reminder of the importance of family and learning to balance work with family commitments. A thoroughly enjoyable and satisfying two hours of family comedy, much better than other similar Disney films.