Pixar's Lovable Robot Has Important Lessons For Us

Wall-E warns about our over-consumption
By Katherine Thompson,  Newser Staff
Posted Jul 11, 2008 11:06 AM CDT
Pixar's Lovable Robot Has Important Lessons For Us
Hello Dolly! is part of "the great, underestimated American art form," writes Michael Gerson. "Broadway musicals epitomized a belief in the triumph of love, hope and choreography."   (Archive Photos)

Yes, Wall-E has environmental themes, but its main point is a moral one, writes Michael Gerson in the Washington Post. Not simply a critique of capitalism, as some conservatives have suggested, the movie sets its satirical sights on our self-imprisoning culture of consumption—and the snacking, reclining consumers in the audience. It offers us an alternative of hope, beauty, and joy.

The little robot's love of Hello, Dolly! offers the grace and emotion to contrast with future humans' conformity. Wall-E's story may end up as timeless as his favorite classic musical, especially if it is successful in allowing a computer-generated robot to teach audiences that humanity is about more than the "sum of their wants." (More Wall-E stories.)

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