Some very important moral and social issues brought to you by WALL-E
July 6, 2008 – 9:45 am
On Thursday, Jay had the day off work so we took CJ to see WALL-E, the latest in Pixar’s line of movies-for-adults-disguised-as-movies-for-kids.
It was really cute, the movie. My favorite part is how the little robot says “WALL-E” in this really adorable robotic way. I walk around the house trying to imitate it and Jay says THAT DOESN’T SOUND LIKE HIM AT ALL and I say YES IT DOES and he says NO IT DOESN’T and that’s pretty much our Friday night.
Oddly enough CJ’s imitation of WALL-E is spot-on.
Which goes to show that some things in life are totally no fair.
I liked WALL-E, although I found it to be a little more dry than Finding Nemo, not quite as FUN as Toy Story, and lacking the great food and Frenchiness of Ratatouille.
The thing about WALL-E is that it highlights all these important MORAL and SOCIAL ISSUES. Upon leaving the theater I promptly fall to my knees and make a solemn vow to Mother Earth that I will start composting this very minute and never shop at Target again. I will only buy USED and RECYCLED goods and I will BAKE MY OWN BREAD and I will never buy another car as long as I live. In fact I’ll swear off driving altogether and ride a little really old and rusted bicycle everywhere I go.
(and IF I accidentally shop at Target I will TOTALLY feel bad about it).
Seriously though, it’s good to go to movies that highlight IMPORTANT ISSUES because it teaches the children lessons.
For example now CJ knows that when the world begins to be overrun with garbage (as it inevitably will) then it’s probably best not to leave the clean-up to little robots that look like they were made in the 80’s because even though they’re totally cute, robots that are made in the 80’s only know how to make the garbage into weird box shapes and then make those box-shaped-garbage-thingies into buildings and you and I BOTH know that we don’t really want a bunch of garbage buildings because WHAT PROBLEM is that solving?
Another important lesson that CJ (and I) learned from watching WALL-E is that robots have feelings too and everyone just wants to hold someone’s hand and COCKROACHES are TOTALLY CUTE and good friends if the world is overrun by garbage because robots can run over them and they’ll still be able to survive.
Also technology is bad (but don’t we ALREADY KNOW that?) and some robots are evil while others are good and outer-space travel can lead to bone loss and obesity (just so you know).
In short I found this movie to be:
- Totally cute
- Totally worthwhile
- Not quite as good as Toy Story and Finding Nemo. But almost.
P.S. I don’t mean to mock the IMPORTANT MORAL ISSUES because really what would we do without HOLLYWOOD to inspire our cumulative consciousness to action? I mean I’m sure the fine people at Pixar didn’t use evil technology or create ANY GARBAGE WHATSOEVER when they made this movie.
P.S.S. Really I’m not mocking the fine and noble concepts upon which this movie is based.
P.S.S.S. Ok, so I am. Just a little.
P.S.S.S.S. But it’s mocking in a fond and admiring way. Sort of like a genial aunt.
P.S.S.S.S.S. Anyhow I’m not the only one who thought so. See!
P.S.S.S.S.S.S. Seriously. Enough with the P.S.s.
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By Sunshine on Jul 6, 2008 | Reply
I, too, mock because I love. I got it, I don’t think Pixar will put out a hit on you.
Well, maybe.
Sunshines last blog post..Commenters Rule!
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By Simply Shannon on Jul 6, 2008 | Reply
Posts like this are why I love you so.
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By World's Greatest Mommy on Jul 6, 2008 | Reply
We haven’t seen it yet, but it’s good to be prepared. I’m a little nervous now, because I already think my eight-year-old daughter is a little too eco friendly. We don’t want to encourage her. I’ve already gotten in trouble for not composting, recycyling, and letting my vehicle idle.
World’s Greatest Mommys last blog post..Rules of the Wild
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By Wendy on Jul 6, 2008 | Reply
Oh, Jenny, I’m with ya on this (see my Compare/Contrast on Wall-E and Kung Fu Panda). I felt a little moral’d out by the end.
Wendys last blog post..This just in: Thrush Nest Drives Homeowner to Asylum
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admin Reply:
July 6th, 2008 at 7:11 pm
I’m glad I wasn’t the only one! I don’t like to be lectured, truth be told…
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By Ashley on Jul 6, 2008 | Reply
I like this post! I haven’t even seen Wall-E yet. The previews definitely don’t look as good to me as most of the other Pixar/Disney movies, but I’m sure I’ll see it at some point. :)
Ashleys last blog post..Tired Of The Car!
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By judy (coffeejitters) on Jul 6, 2008 | Reply
I loved WALL-E. I spent the entire movie wishing my husband was there with me because I really wanted to hold his hand.
judy (coffeejitters)s last blog post..I Believe in the Promise of America
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By Monique on Jul 6, 2008 | Reply
I’m really looking forward to seeing this. I didn’t realize it was a “conscious” movie, which makes me look forward to it even more. Though not shopping at Target… I don’t know if I could handle that. :|
Moniques last blog post..The Final Divorce Decree
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By Erin on Jul 6, 2008 | Reply
This post made me laugh out loud. And then I had to read it to my husband and he laughed out loud. Thank you for making me laugh.
Erins last blog post..Where the Heart Is
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By The Diaper Diaries on Jul 6, 2008 | Reply
Ah yes, thank God we have Hollywood to be our moral compass.
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bananas Reply:
July 6th, 2008 at 8:14 pm
Moral compass is Jay’s FAVORITE expression. As in, “my moral compass needs adjusting”. Just so you know. :)
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By Honey Mommy on Jul 6, 2008 | Reply
I haven’t seen WALL-E, but I thought it looked really cute. When you say it’s better than Toy Story, do you mean Toy Story I or II? Because I (and my little boy) like Toy Story II WAY more than Toy Story I.
Also, I’m no expert, but your post made me wonder… isn’t it P.P.S. when you use more than one postscript? Like Post-postscript or something? Just curious!
Honey Mommys last blog post..Forbidden Fireworks
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bananas Reply:
July 6th, 2008 at 8:14 pm
hmm, I think you might be right.
Either way it’s starting to look like pSSSSSSt… you know… the sound you make when you’re peeing. And THAT can’t be good!
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By Stephanie on Jul 6, 2008 | Reply
If Hollywood is going to deliver a moral, all the better that a robot be the one delivering it (rather than some teary eyed child who uses a vocabulary years beyond her age).
BTW, so late on the congrats to Wordpress, but better late than never, yes? The site looks grand!
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By Auds at Barking Mad on Jul 6, 2008 | Reply
I agree with Diaper Diaries…after seeing “The Happening” recently, I’m done with “movies with a message” for a while. Not that I mind it, but there are so many lately that it’s hard to just go and be entertained.
Seriously though, when Hollywood stops speaking out of both sides of it’s mouth, maybe, just maybe I might be more inclined to pay attention, until then I’ll heed my own moral compass and teach my kiddos to do the same, and not let Hollywood do it for them.
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By daring one on Jul 6, 2008 | Reply
I’m afraid of how much I love you. I wish I’d written this post. AWESOME!
daring ones last blog post..Twas the Fourth of Jul-ee
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By Summer on Jul 6, 2008 | Reply
I haven’t seen it yet, but I have a bad feeling about the “OMG trash covering the world” message contrasted by the though little plastic Wall.E toys that seem to be everywhere.
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By Rachael on Jul 6, 2008 | Reply
I too walk around robot talking like Wall-E. And I haven’t even seen it yet. Can’t wait!
Rachaels last blog post..Rest In Peace
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By Jill on Jul 7, 2008 | Reply
I’m so glad to see this posting as my husband wants to take our girls to see the movie tomorrow. I wasn’t sure if they’d like it… but after reading this I’m definitely willing to see!
Jills last blog post..You Like Me… You Really Like Me!
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By Aimee on Jul 7, 2008 | Reply
you crack me up!
Aimees last blog post..My Kids Recommend: Big Kid Seat
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By pixie on Jul 7, 2008 | Reply
I absolutely LOVED this movie. When we walked out of the theater, Hubby said, “A little preachy, wasn’t it?” I thought so too!
pixies last blog post..Rerun: Name That Wet Wipe!
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By Amy @ Milk Breath & Margaritas on Jul 7, 2008 | Reply
Ha! I put PS’s in my post today - weird.
And I like poking fun at Hollywood, of all places, telling us about moral issues. Oh the irony.
Amy @ Milk Breath & Margaritass last blog post..I Cheated on The Man with The Other Man
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By Polka Dot Mommy on Jul 7, 2008 | Reply
We are taking the kiddos to see Wall-E this week. Sounds like I might really enjoy it, being labeled an “environmentalist”. :) May hap Oregon Dad will also learn some valuable lessons.
Once again, loving your wit and style.
Cheers!
Polka Dot Mommys last blog post..Little Bits
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By Heidi on Jul 8, 2008 | Reply
Is that . . . why yes it is. Sarcasm. Sounds good. I missed it. Way too many people get upset with the dry, humorous sarcasm. Thanks old friend for reminding me what it is.
PS Love sarcasm
Heidis last blog post..Natasha Bedingfield - Soul Mate
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