Wall-E: the computer-animated-robotic Rocky

I love Wall-E. It’s definitely a stand-alone in the colourful pool of animated movies. Not often is there one made with such little dialogue and yet audiences left with so much to think about. I love the character of Wall-E, and as I was thinking about why I like this robot so much I realized that he shares many attributes and qualities with another great movie character: Rocky Balboa. He doesn’t get into any sparring, punching, or even training, and the closest Rocky might come to Wall-E himself is that flashy, bug-eyed robot in Rocky IV (….happybirthdaypaulie….). But these two really are more alike than I had originally thought.

1. Both loners? There is a big difference between loneliness and solitude. To me, both characters to be loners but are really individuals who get strengthened by solitude. Rocky lives alone, walks alone, and has a very different personality that those around him don’t seem to get. Wall-E is physically alone while he’s diligently and continuously cleaning up planet Earth. But Rocky does have friends. Some yell out to him from their apartment windows. He pays personal visits to others. He seems to like and respect people, even the ones who appear to be threatening or not respectful to him. At first it looks like Wall-E only has an insect for a friend, but he immediately seeks companionship with Eve. Neither character has a bad attitude toward people nor a low enough sense of self-worth to slink away from others. Instead, they embrace the individuals who do show love back to them, even if they need coaxing (as in the case of both Adrian and Eve). I have to say that my favourite scenes in Wall-E are the ones in his little home (though seeing a robot float through space empowered by a fire extinguisher is pure awesomeness). I love that he collects. He doesn’t look to impress anyone with his collection. He just loves the art and beauty in each thing whether it’s a silent movie, a plastic fork or a rubik’s cube. I love these scenes of solitude. I am also struck by Rocky’s apartment and the scene where he gets up at an ungodly hour and drinks half a dozen raw eggs in a glass. The moments are quirky but special moments of solitude.

• Both befriend cockroaches. Some of Rocky’s friends and family are

• socially repulsive to others, especially Paulie. Wall-E has a friend who is… an actual cockroach. I’ve always valued having a variety of friends, including ones that tend to grind all others’ gears. No one is less judgmental than these two movie characters, even to the cockroaches in life.

• Humility, simplicity and dig-down-deep determination. Wall-E and Rocky keep it simple. A friend and a plant are both valuable and must be protected. Wall-E doesn’t squint his eyes like Eastwood and pull of macho stunts. He just sees danger and tries to protect. He sees the prize and goes off running for it. He cares and therefore acts. There are a few inspiring scenes where the robot is giving his last bit of strength or sacrificing himself just to help those he is committed to. Even though Rocky is a character many of us think of when we envision movies meant for male audiences who love a good fight, the character itself is not like that. He digs down deep not to show what he’s made of or show off what he has. It’s just his job being done with all heart and determination.

• Priorities. Both of these characters show a great example of true care toward another. Again, Wall-E has his sights on Eve and her interests and never strays from that. And Rocky—he, a verifiable nobody, knocks the heavyweight boxing champion of the world to the mat in the first round and then proceeds to take him to a full fifteen round draw. And what does he do when the bell rings and he’s surrounded by press, fans and immediate fame? He yells for Adrian. It doesn’t look like he wants anything else.

This isn’t the last time an unexpected computer-animated Disney character has inspired me (Remi in being the other) and I hope it happens many more times. In my last write-up I gave a list of favourite/best movie characters. Maybe sometime I’ll make one for “most inspiring characters.”

Congratulations . This is your week.

Best Actress: Carrie-Anne Moss as Trinity. Who can forget her opening scene? It kicks the virtual reality right out of you. Best Actor: Christopher Lloyd as Doc Brown. He delivers his lines so well in Back to the Future. Best quote: “I know Kung Fu.” – Keanu Reeves. The line is so lame it’s awesome.

And remember folks, for every person you can think of in your mind who is a cockroach you have befriended, there is another friend of yours who looks at you as the cockroach.