A couple weeks ago, we all piled in the car and drove down to our nearby movie theater for some good, cold, family fun. Matt and I have been fans of Pixar movies since Toy Story, even going to the theater to see their movies BEFORE we had children. So, after last year’s “meh” performance with Ratatouille, we were anxious to see if Pixar had returned to excellence with Wall-E.
Our impression? Not really. A definite two-thumbs-sideways. Way sideways.
The computer graphics were amazing. Definitely leaps and bounds beyond anything we’ve seen since Monsters, Inc. and Cars. I was stunned by the scenes on earth and the varying “camera tricks” used to capture Wall-E’s lonely and pre-programmed existence. The character development was terrific as well, and by the end of the movie you couldn’t help but feel the love between E.V.A. and Wall-E, even if they didn’t speak more than three words to each other (“Wall-E”/”E.V.A.”, “directive”, and “classified”). We enjoyed the humorous references to “The Love Boat”, 2001: A Space Odyssey and Titanic. I appreciated the evolutionary development of the art from cave drawings to Van Gogh (and watching the generations slim down) during the credits. We even found ourselves drawn to those quirky little malfunctioning robots who needed repair, each of us finding one to call our own. Is it any surprise that I was drawn to M.O.? Though he didn’t malfunction, that little Oriental-inspired robot who was obsessed with clean floors stole my heart. I’m trying to figure out if there’s a way for me to formally adopt him into my home. He would certainly be welcome here!
But it was the actual storyline – and the ensuing subplots and thematic undercurrents – that left us with a bitter taste in our mouths. You see, according to the story, we humans are brainless beings who are obsessed with overconsumption and corporate conglomerations. We are easily swayed by slick marketing campaigns and are merely lemmings at best. Our only interests lie in self-gratification and relaxation. I also sensed a dire warning to preserve our planet lest we become victims to our own consumption.
From a Christian perspective, I can’t help but remember God’s instructions to us in Genesis: to be a good steward of this world He’s given us. To cultivate the land. To tend to it, and care for it, and work it. Does shopping at Costco or Sam’s Club or even – gasp! – Wal-Mart mean I am being a poor steward? Not necessarily. And the Bible also teaches that God has given us the ability to think, to discern, to reason…and therefore imagine and project the impact our consumption has on the planet. Sure, I know I need to be mindful to do my part. I recycle. I have minimized my family’s trash output. I use ecologically-friendly canvas bags when I shop. I live in an energy-star rated home with many energy-efficient features and appliances. We use CFC bulbs. Heck, I just planted six trees in my yard over the past few weeks.
I realize I could do more. I know there are ways I am not being a good steward. And I know that there are areas of my life where overconsumption is a real problem for me. But God is working in me to reveal those areas and – in His power – claim victory over them. I realize that Wall-E is geared for children, who may not realize the impact they have on the environment, and who need to be taught at an early age to care for this world – and their bodies – to ensure a long, happy, and fulfilled life.
There are good lessons in this movie, to be sure. But the message is a bit heavy handed. And frankly, when I need a good sermon, I go to my church. Not the movie theater.