WALL-E

Oh, I was very anxious to see WALL-E. After all, the reviews were fabulous. And I must say that it is a terrific film.

WALL-E is a lonely, garbage collecting robot. His only companion is a little roach. And believe me, this roach can live through anything. The story is set in the future and the earth is one big trash heap. Humans can no longer live here. Instead, they live in a far off galaxy. One day a space ship lands and a robot named Eve arrives. She stays behind and she and WALL-E get quite close. But the space ship comes back and she goes back to her planet - and WALL-E goes back with her.

I don't want to say much more about the plot. What I will tell you is that the visuals are spectacular. Director Andrew Stanton did a magnificent job with this film as did everyone involved. There were many times that things looked so real that I forgot it was an animated film. It is a sweet little love story. But there is also a greater message here - one that involves saving Mother Earth. We are the ones who can do it and we must. Fred Willard plays a corporate CEO who reminded me of someone - especially when he said the people will have to "stay the course."

WALL-E also has a great soundtrack. And at the end of the film there is a beautiful song entitled Down to Earth that is performed by Peter Gabriel and was written by Gabriel and Thomas Newman. Yes, this should get an original song nomination. And WALL-E will almost definitely win for Best Animated Film.

WALL-E is very suitable for older children. But it is not suitable for two and three year olds. They have no idea what is going on and they become very restless and disturb the rest of the audience. In any case, WALL-E comes highly recommended.