Wall-E has been showered with praise from critics and audiences alike. These kinds of accolades haven't really been heard since, say, There Will Be Blood, or I dunno, Juno — both of which were nominated for Best Picture at the Oscars this year.
Now there's a a campaign afoot to get Wall-E out of the Best Animated Film category and into competition with the big guns. Vulture argues that Wall-E should be the second animated film (so far we've only seen Disney's Beauty and the Beast) to be included in this category because it's exactly the kind of movie that the Academy wants to consider for Best Picture: it's both well-reviewed and beloved by audiences.
Hollywood Elsewhere argues against this, stating that "the electric segregation fence must be respected and fortified" and that animation can't really hold a candle to the "unfettered dignity that comes from simply aiming a camera at real people and real locations and making it all sing."
Where do you stand? Do you think Wall-E deserves to be in the Best Picture category in February, or should everyone be happy with a Best Animation nod?
Photo courtesy of Walt Disney Pictures
Levi's
Maine New England
KangaROOS
yes, i have not seen it but i think it needs a nomination
1I saw it and thought it was wonderful. The great story, put together well. You love the characters, want them to succeed! I think it deserves the recognition
2I haven't seen it.. and to be honest I don't really like animations much but my husband loves them and really wants to see this. He got me to see some I ended up really enjoying like Over The Hedge, Surfs Up, & Meet the Robinson's being a few that come to mind. But I am always apprehensive at first!
3We went to it yesterday with my daughter and her grandparents. They were so blown-away by the sight of a world with that much trash that they went to sign up for recycling the same day. A movie that can move someone that much should be nominated for Best Picture.
4I haven't seen it, and am not sure I will. From the previews, it looks kind of monochromatic and robot-y, and I just can't get into movies like that, no matter what. But in general, I think animated films should be kept in the appropriate category, since that's what categories are for. This could get outta control fast.
5I cannot wait until I see this movie!!!!
6I have to say that I studied film in college and I really think this film deserves a best picture nod. I never agree with the selections, so I really doubt it will happen.
The movie wasn't perfect, but it was masterful.
If you haven't seen it yet, I strongly encourage you to do so!!
7I can see where people would feel that the quality of the storytelling and presentation qualify it for the more prestigious award, but the challenges of creating an animated film vs. a live-action one are different, and so I don't know if they should compete for the same award when there is one for each.
8i voted sure as i haven't seen it yet, although i wish that option had continued to say, and I am not going to go see it either. lol
9i was planning to see it this weekend -but based on what everyone's been saying about it - i think that it could be cnsidered. it shouldn't just be lumped into the animated category....
10I agree with Jude C.
11Jude C brought up a good point that the challenges are different for live action vs animation. You know, personally I've always thought they should be more like the golden globes and have drama and comedy best picture be separate. I feel like it's SO hard to judge the 2 and that comedies often get left out. I still think that Wall-E could be up for best picture. I saw more emotion in Wall-E then I see in PLENTY movies!
12I'm not big on animation being nominated for Best Pic, especially with so many other great films expected this winter.
13I love the fact the the BEST animated movies get there own category. That is the point of having its own category, so that more of these films can get recognized.
14sure the animation was spectacular but what makes wall-e so wonderful is the storytelling. without being too much of a sap, i was bawling at the end because i was so emotionally invested in the characters- robots that have more humanity than most live actors i see on screen. and all that done with very little actual dialog.
i believe a good film should be recognized as a good film, whether animated or not. it is good that there is a category for animated films because often they are overlooked for the big prize, but it would be great to see more animated films recognized in the best film category.
15I have to see it, but if its that serious I'm seeing asap!!!
16I think it really depends on the film. I think that every great once in a while, an animated film deserves to be in the Best Picture category. Wall-E is Definitely Best Picture worthy.
I also think it is a little unfair to judge Wall-e on whether it deserves to be in the category or not if you haven't seen it yet.
I recommned anyone see it! : )
17an animated film is still a film!!!!!!!!! there shouldn't even BE an animation category in my opinion. The only reason I'm glad there is one is because otherwise I don't think some animated films will get the recognition they deserve. The same blood sweat and tears goes into making an animated film that goes into a live action film. A fabulous animated film should be able to compete with the live action ones as well.
Ratatouille did AMAZING last year. It had amazing reviews, did great in the box office, and yet had to be kept in the animation category.
Wall-E should be able to be considered for Best Picture. A film is a film is a film. Animation is just the medium.
18Well if that's the case, I think the next time I enter an art show, my painting should win Best Sculpture. I mean, damn.
19well obviously I meant that in the same way that a painting is a painting, whether it's done with watercolor or acrylic.
20The fact that there's a category for best animated picture doesn't really convince me that animated films are being recognized more; haven't some not-so-noteworthy animated films been nominated in the "best" animated picture category (like Surf's Up, or Monster's House)? It's almost patronizing....to use the above art/painting analogy, it'd be like having a Best High Art or what have you award and then a Best Comic award....sure there's lots of comics that deserve recognition and awards, but if they were nominated along side something like Garfield, it wouldn't be that prestigious. The Best Picture of the year should be the best movie of the year. It's as simple as that......and maybe this year, it's WALL-E.
21jake: i completely agree
22I think WALL-E without a doubt deserves to be in the Best Picture category. Especially if it is an all-around more impressive film than any other live-action film to come out this year.
23I loved Wall-E but I don't think it should be in the "Best Picture" category. It would be cheating a live-action movie from being nominated, when Wall-E could have been put in the "Best Animated Feature" category. And in my eyes, no movie can hold a candle to Beauty and the Beast.
24yes, absolutely! i loved this movie - i saw it on my birthday on Monday and it was just so amazing in every way!
25If Wall-E isn't nominated for Best Picture, there is no justice in this world.
I can definitely see it being the first animated film to win an Academy Award for Best Picture.
26Seriously, people who either say they haven't seen it, but think it should be nominated in Best Picture; and the people who haven't seen it but DON'T think it should be in Best Picture, JUST GO SEE THE MOVIE! How could you pass judgement on it if you HAVE NOT SEEN IT? Jeeeeeeeez.
I saw it, and it was an amazing movie. It wasn't a "cartoon" and I don't think it was targeted towards children. I think it was targeted towards adults. I RARELY purchase a DVD the day it comes out (I usually wait until it's at least $9.99!), but I plan on buying this one the VERY day it comes out. And for the record, I have NEVER purchased an animated movie IN MY ADULT LIFE.
27I saw this movie yesterday and it was Awesome!! Its the best 10.00 ever spent. The little robots falling in love was beautiful. Even my fiancee stayed up to watch the entire movie. Its not just a kids movie. It has meaning. This film should be nominated, for Best Film, Animated Series and movie of the year. When Disney and Pixar get together what comes out is phenomenal
28yes,i think it needs a nomination.I can definitely see it being the first animated film to win an Academy Award for Best Picture.I saw this movie yesterday and it was Awesome!!
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