I must say, WALL*E is the first Pixar film since the Incredibles that I'm really looking forward to. As for the marketing, I understand why Disney removed the satire elements (as some viewers and media are way to sensitive) but as long as their still in the movie, I don' care.

Ah, no wonder the trailer didn't show much about the plot and focused too much on the comedy aspect. Some people may still be confused. Still, I liked the trailer a lot and I'm looking forward to seeing the film.

Much like last year's Rat, this movie should do well in spite of the inept Disney Marketing Dept.

And, Curmudgeon, don't be surprized if the international box office makes up 60 to 70 percent of the total grosses for "Wall*E."

Filmgoers in Europe, Japan and elsewhere just seem to have a deeper respect and appreciation for animated films than do mainstream American audiences.

Pixar (and hopefully Disney) is slowly changing that here in the U.S. ... but there are still too many adults who see the word animation and automatically dismiss a film as "kids stuff."

Hopefully more and more Americans will see the name Pixar and think high quality storytelling -- something worth catching on the big screen.

This looks fantastic.  My boyfriend and I can't stop talking about the sound design by Ben Burtt (us being film nerds and all...), and that was only after seeing the trailer on the computer!  

As I said while watching the trailer, "This movie would have to suck pretty hard for me to not love it."  And, even though I've got a weight problem, some tubby future-humans won't be ruining the plot for me one bit.

Oh, and as for that $5 soda...  It's $1 with our souvenir cups, and it's Diet Coke.  ;)

I think that anyone that has seen 'Over the Hedge' from Dreamworks will testify that an animated film can balance entertainment with social commentary.

I don't think that Disney has anything to worry about, and I don't think that they are actively hiding anything from the public at this stage.

My thought is that Wall E literally has a chance to be one of the greatest films of all time. I don't know the last time I was this excited for a movie before.

I predict that WALL-E will be as big a hit as Finding Nemo, the story really reaches out to little kids who will want to see WALL-E be saved by EVE or whatever the plot is, . . . plus the sci-fi backdrop looks fantastic and it has been a while since a futuristic movie came out so I think it will be a big hit with adults who wanted to escape the 'dirtiness' of our lives on earth.  As for the fat humans: little kids either 1. won't care or 2. will think its funny that WALL-E can out maneuver the adults, as for adults 1. won't care because the whole premise of human becoming fat and going off into space IS funny, 2. won't be offended because they will be happy that we still live on earth and can exercise and most of us aren't that morbidly obese, . . . but the biggest reason why movie-goers won't care is because humans are not the focus of the film, the robot is, remember that little girl from Finding Nemo with the braces? Not the most flattering rendering of humans, but it didn't matter because Nemo was the story.  Here the robots are the story so it really doesn't matter what people are doing.  Also, everybody has been saturated in the media about the growing "obesity epidemic", so people will find it intriguing that someone portrays humanity that way, and people will probably eat more popcorn and coke because most people aren't that fat, it will make people feel skinner

I'm curious. At what point does what is called "social satire" become "enviro-whacko propaganda"?? I guess when Wall-E comes out, we'll see.

You know what? This movie is about a robot who is cleaning up after our mess.  It's HIS story. I imagine that he will be doing something heroic that will somehow help these humans who've made this mess and we'll all learn something. No one is going to care about the FAT HUMANS and the fact that they've made this mess.  The story is about them.  They are the backdrop. Constantly harping about this backdrop is ridiculous. The movie is about an amazingly cute and engaging ROBOT.  We all want to see it.  Stop pointing out the negative stuff!

This is no surprise to me. In all the discussions of WALL*E over the last 2 years by the Pixar family members they have always mentioned it's a story of a robot - that is left behind on earth to clean up our mess because we can't take care of the planet. There were more descriptions too. Would all of America know to look for comments, etc.? I doubt it. But then it seems to me this same sort of story was written right here on JHM - about how many americans may "feel sqeemish" about seeing a rat in a kitchen cooking" and as the weeks went by, and the dollars came in, there was still a push for "not good enough"...

I see the commentary repeating, unfortunately. It's the MO of the site. On another note - of COURSE Disney marketing will withhold some of the parts they feel are too much for people to see.  Do you think the Harry Potter franshise showed everything in their marketing?  The fact that someone died in Goblet of Fire made hoopla online but was part of the story - so it fit, people got it, and life went on.  

Story, story, story.  Those whining Marketing insiders that are touted so much as contacts should stop it and understand that the public enjoys good STORIES - not image....

What? Are you for real... If those are "strong statements that will put off audiences", than I'm a freaking chicken! (And nooo, I'm not.) I'm sorry, but this isn't controversial AT ALL. It's a beautiful story about a robot finding love and living in a difficult galaxy ('cause world doesn't apply here anymore).

No worries!

(Now, read my article about it :D http://www.nehold.com/?p=1053)

I hate to say but  Honestly Jim, What did pixar do to you that you feel the need to break down an awesome trailer. .   Do you want another rattoutille repeat? should i expect another article from you in three weeks saying  Pixar/Disney worried about merchandise sales.

             Ill be waiting for yoru pixar bashing

"should i expect another article from you in three weeks saying  Pixar/Disney worried about merchandise sales."

It's usually the forth week. Week three would be the debate over the words of the reanimated body of John Wayne; who proclaims Pixar to be " the last bastion of the enviro-whacko propaganda movement".

You heard it here first.

Uh...I think, Jim, you're blowing this way out of proportion here.

First of all, it's a freakin' movie. Secondly, so what if it depicts humans as rotund, lazy, consumer-driven half-wits with fatty fingers? I've seen other films that depict the human race as far worse creatures.

And because it's Pixar/Disney is the reason why there are so many red flags going up? You know, I can almost guarantee that 90% of kids who go to see this won't even get half of what you're griping about. They're going to see it because of a little robot that's quirky, cute, curious, and causes some mischief.

Let it go, Jim. Go cover the construction over at DCA or something...

Some of you may recall the second of the four volume Hitchhiker Trilogy by Douglas Adams.  (Yes, the Trilogy has four volumes.  Deal with it.)  In 'The Restaurant at the End of the Universe', Arthur and Ford find themselves on a spaceship full hair dressers, phone sanitizers, and other 'important' members of society that are being sent to prepare the way on a new planet for two other ships, one of politicians and leaders and the other scientists and industrialists.  Ai risk of spoiling, the planet they crash on is Earth, they displace the natural pre-human population, and the other two ship never come (presumably never even launched, now that the useless members of society have been eliminated), and we are the descendants of those incompetents.  Now why this long lead up to my opinion on this?  Well, it is social commentary, could be very insulting, and is extremely funny in the book.  In other words, I'm not worried that this fable will be a well received story.  Now, what was it that Scrooge asked his final spirit guide? "Are these the shadows of the things that Will be, or are they shadows of things that May be, only? Assure me that I yet may change these shadows you have shown me, by an altered life..."

For anyone who has been to Disney World or Disneyland in the past couple decades and looked around with an objective eye, the story line of Wall-E actually sounds pretty logical. Whether such honesty will fly or be too painful, however, is another story.

But sometimes truth couched in humor and sincere sentiment is a much easier sell.

Oh, I'm sure there'll be some complaints about the social commentary from the usual suspects in the media when the film comes out (ultra-liberal Hollywood is foisiting its agenda on the rest of the country, they're out of touch with real Americans' views, bla bla bla). Will it affect the box-office? Probably not.  This movie's gonna fly or flame out based on its story, its characters, and Disney's marketing (or lack thereof), not because of its social commentary.  

I'm sure it'll be fine.

By the way ... this is (for those who are counting) the third Pixar film in a row that Jim has pre-labeled as a disaster. Thus far he's oh-fer in his predictions. My guess is he'll be 0-3 shortly.

zeppo983? Learn to read. Or at least to quote accurately, ok? Thanks.

This is exactly the sort of film I want to see studios put out. This really is an excellent opportunity for Disney, although I understand their concerns with this film. Just because an animated film or a Pixar film doesn't make as much money as the one that came before it doesn't mean the film is a failure.  I will be honest though, and go ahead and go out on a limb here and say that oversea boxoffice totals are probably going to be greater than US ones, mainly because American audiences really don't connect (or rather, refuse to connect with) or understand these sorts of films.  It's a shame really.

I applaud those at Disney who gave the go ahead on this film, and I applaud Stanton and the folks of Pixar for making this film. I can't wait for this film to come out

"By the way ... this is (for those who are counting) the third Pixar film in a row that Jim has pre-labeled as a disaster. Thus far he's oh-fer in his predictions. My guess is he'll be 0-3 shortly."

I equate Jim's Pixar articles to a watching a train wreck in progress, you know it's not going to end well but you just can not stop watching.

Oh and Mr. The Duke, I read that typed sentence perfectly. Unless you are saying you are the reanimated corpse of the actual John Wayne. In which case i would ask when "The Searchers 2: Electric Boogaloo" comes out. Been waiting on that one for ages.

In reality, sir, at least read and think before posting. Did you explicitly say that Pixar was "the last bastion of the enviro-whacko propaganda movement"? Get a sense of humor and a copy of "Hooked on Phonics" there Mr. The Duke. ok? Thanks.

How is this news?  Seriously I'm confused.  Nothing in this is news whatsoever because Jim has already talked about the themes of the story.  Also I'm pretty sure this is going to amount to nothing.  The last pixar movie had a rotund character who died of a heart attack and I didn't see anyone complaining.  The Matrix movies include some of the same themes (humanity as a parasite) and I didn't see it hurting their box office.  Pixar should be commended for telling it like it is and anyone worried about it should grow some guts and stop worrying.  This movie is gonna make TONS of money because this character is already beloved.  Everything else is bean-counters getting scared over not playing it totally safe.  Because THAT'S the way to make profits...

Most Americans are too stupid to notice the commentary anyway, so I can't see anybody actually worried about this.  The trailer is focused on comedy because... well... comedy sells, duh!  Pure old common sense.

maybe he should just do an article on the new horton does a who movie which i think looks like a stinker

I'm kind of curious how this plays out given that Disney fans are usually pretty rigid PC-police-police. Anytime Disney makes any decision that could be construed as PC, the PC-police-police are right on top of it... What happens when the whole movie is PC? It's Pixar, which means it's PC amongst Disney fans to love it, but it's PC, which makes it very not-PC amongst Disney fans...

Micky- with horton hears  a who the director use to work at pixar, he claims he hit a celieng and you really cant make it to director so thats why he left... Lets see if he has a hit on his hands or another bad animated flop. I still cant believe Surfs up was nominated for an A award.

zeppo983. Here is the actual post, and if you can find the word "bastion" in it you are hallucinating:

"I'm curious. At what point does what is called "social satire" become "enviro-whacko propaganda"?? I guess when Wall-E comes out, we'll see."

Secondly, if you think anyone who happens to have the same name as a former movie star actually is the "reanimated" body of that person, may I ask you how your brothers Harpo, Chico, and Groucho are doing these days?

Oh. Wait. You said something about getting " a sense of humor" and of course Zeppo was the UN-funny Marx Brother. Sorry....I should have realized you wouldn't know what one of those "sense of humor" things was...let alone what a quote is...or a misquote.

But more generally.....it is interesting to see the level of disdain for "American audiences" and "most Americans" in so many posts here. The elitism and snobbery is pretty silly, folks, since it is those millions of membes of the "American audience" of all sizes, shapes, and levels of physical fitness who pay the bills that keep the Mouse House alive and well and have for decades.

But hey, YOU are TOO cool, intelligent, and enlightened to be associated with that riff-raff, right? Which is why you concern yourselves with the activities of that self-same company that actually caters to and profits from that very group of people--those awful, dumb, pathetic, and oh-so-inferior-to-your-almighty-insightfulness Americans, right? And in your high intellectual and superior mindset that makes perfect sense, right? 'cause you're here as...what...sociologists examining the behavior of primative civilizations, right?

Right. Methinks thou dost protest too much, kiddies. Maybe you need a ride on Splash Mountain to bring you back down to the same Earth the rest of us are on.

Eisner felt  Finding nemo was going to be a disaster we all know what happened with that I think this will pull incredibles type numbers  IE 270 million  I dont feel it will be Finding nemo status but will be in the top 3 of all time grosses domestically of pixar films..  I also think this is a weaker summer not a summer of sequels so this will help give this film legs...

JohnWayne… bit of a chip on your shoulder, maybe?

I guess I shouldn’t have said stupid.  Perhaps ignorant is the word.  Look around next time you’re at your local Wal-mart, or walk into a McDonald’s, and then argue with me.  Most in this country are slothful, vapid, and look the other way on issues that would require to much brain power to ponder.  This is all too apparent when you look at the movie-going and voting trends of this population.

Pay attention to people leaving  screenings of WALL-E this summer.  Most will be talking about how “cute & adorable” the little robots were when the actual theme of the film won’t cross anyone’s mind.  Does it ever?  Those people will then run off to Wal-Mart and do their part to fill their cart.

Sorry, I call it like I see it... pilgrim.

As far as I remember growing up .... Disney films as well as any "good" childrens stories are supossed to have some sort of values or moral lessons.

The fact is that obesity is on the rise in america (not worldwide)... and obesity is on the rise in children (not worldwide).

Social satire?  How about social commentary. I say GOOD for Pixar. This is not loony tunes ... I want my kids to LEARN something when they watch a movie.

Sometimes "propoganda" as someone called it is what is needed to start changing peoples minds... especially when there is FACT behind it.

But in all honestly ... no-one should worry ... that message isn't going to be front and center... it isn't going to ruin the story ... only certain people will notice what is being implied. Most likely the people who NEED that message.

"should I expect another article from you in three weeks saying  Pixar/Disney worried about merchandise sales."

EVERYTHING on this site is starting to feel recycled!

A few years ago the story was Australia was coming to Epcot, a few weeks ago the story was recycled replacing Russia with Australia.

Last time it was Ratatouille failure that was the focus of the articles now we have Wall-E.

When will we see an original article that is based on facts? When will we ever see a multi-part story that is actuallty finished as promised?

Really looking forward to this film! Enjoy the spirited debate on this forum as well! Also, I agree, it should do huge numbers...there's a lot of good buzz in Hollywood.

"The heck do ya mean?" - Jerry L.

NOWHERE in the article does Jim at all suggest that the movie is going to fail.

Scrooge: Ignorant is as ignorant does. No chip here, just a positive attitude towards my fellow men and women. If you're looking to look down on them, as you seem to be with the rather predictable "Wal-mart" and "McDonald's" digs, well, then maybe he who is without a Chip should cast the first Dale...or something. Your elitism just proves my point. Oh, and by the way--do you really think people going to see a "fun" comedy cartoon are looking for heavy messages and your idea of a redeeming serious think-piece content-filled afternoon with the kids? If so, how's your movie studio doing at the boxoffice?

Two Points:

A) Satire is NOT a heavy message so this whole thread is superfluous.  Otherwise nobody would know about the deep, heavy messages of the Daily Show and Colbert Report because they aren't fun comedies like the news.  I say JohnWayne and Scrooge need to hug it out and go about their business because you all have good points but this conversation will be vapor when WALL-E takes over the world.

B) At the World of Disney I've been asked for WALL-E merchandise on an almost daily basis and the movie is still months away.  The little guy is already imbued into our pop consciousness and will probably make GAJILLIONS when he finally comes out.  Especially if Disney is on its merchandise game (oh wait...  sigh...) because people want the cute robot NOW.  We haven't seen these kinds of requests since NEMO.  Disney should be thrilled, not worried.

I am sure that the merchandise for these characters will be HUGE i.e. if McDonald's makes these toys or Burger King they will be gulped up, probably they already have a WALL-E, an EVE, maybe even the fat human in a chair, and I bet there a couple more robot characters that will become popular too.  These days making environmental messages i.e. being green makes green, i.e. there is an entire industry that makes billions of dollars off of being environmentally friendly and many people have been raised believing that we need to take better care of the Earth, so in this way the whole back-story of a polluted earth won't distract most people or even register as this sort of thinking is mainstream.  Ask anyone who lives in a polluted city like L.A. and they will tell you that controlling pollution is important, and people living in New York don't like how dirty the city has become, especially when garbage men go on strike.  If this movie turns out as big as it should I bet there will be a big push to put something quick into Tomorowland in the parks, i.e. an interactive WALL-E robot (won't be as hard to build as say the dinosaur in Animal Kingdom) and other characters from this movie.  Maybe, even an E-Ticket Ride as well.  You think kids want cars with little eyes pasted on them or a stuff chef rat, wait until you see them gobble up little souvenirs that look like these robots.  WALL-E has such instant appeal that this is one Pixar movie I will want to see on the big screen for sure.  This movie appears to have it all i.e. great story, great effects, interesting to adults as well as kids, I am predicting it will be another Nemo, Sorry Jim, but this movie is going to blow away expectations!

I kind of think its sad that we cant tell a story because it hits too close to home.

Should we take all the movies that were set in the future and say they're bad because that version of the future makes humans looks bad?

This version of the future sounds pretty realistic.

I hate to bring Ratatouille or Cars, but come on Jim. :)

I honestly dont get the appeal that people are SO EXCITED for this movie. Are sci-fi geeks that deprived? I will be going to see it, but im curious if I will like it or not. Robots arent really my thing.

I wonder, just for consideration's sake, which is a more effective message re. our problems with pollution in today's time: Do we suggest that we should all take responsibility for sensible concern and cleanup of the environment...or should we send the message that if we wait a while, somebody else will invent a robot to do it for us? Sometimes messages get muddled and the consequences get confused. I'm quite ready to wait and see about Wall-E.....but in this highly-charged political environment, I'm only slightly suprized that nobody on one side or the other has drawn an unfavorable message from the similarity of the character's name to "Wall-Mart" ! (smile)

"Remember that seeing a movie that moves you as well as makes you think, is a good thing."

Opinions are like...well, you know.  Your "good thing" could be my "obnoxious drivel".

I love Pixar movies, but I am ready to dislike one if ti doesn't live up to its legacy.  It's going to happen.  The issue for me will be whether the "screwed up humans" will be a major part of the story or just a backdrop.

If this proves to be another "let's stop things dead and lecture the audience" kind of thing (like "Happy Feet"), then I don't care how well it does critically or financially, I won't like it.

But, of course, I'm ready to enjoy it, too.  I'll wait and see.

Just what overweight people need. Being pointed out as over consuming and immoral. Not to mention careless of the environment. Bad fattys. Bad bad bad.

It is silly isn't it, rufus? Kinda makes me want to go have a nice big milkshake and some cookies to get over the depression! However, since we're talking a futurist movie here, I wonder if anyone remembers Woody Allen's work in which, in the future, we find out that everything we thought was bad for us now turns out to actually be GOOD for us? Who knows? Maybe in 50 years or so, our grandchildren will watch this on whatever new equivalent of a DVD exists then and laugh and laugh at the silly, idiotic people who had such antiquated views "way back then"?

Overconsumption is a problem that is spreading across the world. I am glad this movie deals with the trashing of our planet. Americans are a major part of the problem but everyone else is trying to catch up to us. That is frightening!

http://www.storyofstuff.com/ could be a good trailer for Wall E!

"overconsumption is a problem that is spreading across the world"? Oh really? Tell it to the starving millions who live in lands of abundant resources and bad, corrupt, and criminal governments. Be frightened...and activist...about that if you really want to help.