The original tales woven by the folks at Pixar are completely original and clever. Movie for movie, no one in the entertainment industry can come close to the ingenuity, wit and heart of the work they produce. WIthout clouding their films with crude humor, stale pop culture references (which date films immediately, it will be interesting to see how Shrek holds up in twenty years) and missing the overall attitude of ironic faux-hipness that taunts and apologizes for quality family entertainment, Pixar has created a body of work that is undeniably brilliant,  and completely timeless.

And on that note, top themselves they did.

Again.

Wall-E  is their finest achievement to date.

A love story about robots framed with a layer of apocalyptic satire sounds like a recipe for unmitigated disaster. But its totally divine. In turns hilariously funny, frighteningly real, devastatingly sad, and profoundly moving, Wall-E manages to provoke, inspire, and entertain, simultaneously. To give anything else away would ruin the magic.

So let’s talk about the craft. From a directing standpoint, it’s a complete amalgam of Stanley Kubrick, George Lucas and Steven Speilberg’s best work. Its what A.I should have been,  but collapsed under the Speil’s intrusive and off putting sentimentality. It evokes the wonder that audiences felt while watching the original Star Wars trilogy, a sensation that Lucas tried so desperately to recreate with the prequels. And in its dark dystopian visuals, biting satire, and use of popular music for irony and wonder, it is very Kubrick.

Yes, thats right. In a Disney film.

Some have expressed concern that children will be confused, bored or indifferent to it.  And that adults might be put off by the darkness and heavy political undertones. Frankly, I could care less. It’s a complete masterpiece. I love the fact that Pixar doesn’t dumb themselves, or their material down for kids, or anyone. That sort of bravery in filmmaking and commitment to excellence reminds me of someone else.

Walt Disney.

He would be so proud of the work that Pixar is doing.

To think that Disney almost let them go…

This film belongs on shelf right next to the classics like Pinnochio, Fantasia, Bambi etc. But frankly, so does most of the Pixar library. However,  I consider this to be their crowning acheivement. There are no more words.

It’s the best film of the year, and not only that, it will go down as one of the greatest films of all time. See it, and you’ll be reminded why we go to the movies in the first place.