Wall-e

So far this summer, Hollywood has treated the masses to sexually liberated 40-somethings, an aged tomb raider and a pair of Marvel superheroes. But the most human and affecting character of the summer isn't even human.

WALL-E, the titular character in Pixar's latest film, is an obsolete trash-compacting robot stranded on Earth. In the first minutes of the film, director Andrew Stanton (Finding Nemo) exposes us to WALL-E's post-apocalyptic world covered by skyscrapers of garbage and remnants of corporate advertising. Because of all this garbage, humans have evecuated Earth and been mindlessly living for 700 years on an intergalactic cruise where bone density has given way to obesity.

The first 40 minutes are sparse on dialogue and are the strongest part of the film. Stanton establishes a strong but not overpowering environmental and anti-consumerist message (ironic for a Disney film).

The meatier story line in WALL-E, however, is between the title character and EVE, a sleek egg-shaped robot who comes to Earth with a classified mission. At first, EVE is abrasive, blowing up everything in sight in her quest to complete her task. WALL-E soon wins her over with naive and affable charm, showing her his collection of junk and his video of "It Only Takes a Moment" from Hello, Dolly-a scene that influences WALL-E's idea that true love exists when two people hold hands.

What is most remarkable about this love story is the expression of emotion. WALL-E's binocular eyes reveal his pain, wonderment and love in a stunningly affecting manner (Keanu Reeves could take a few lessons). Moreover, the two robots' speech is limited to their names, yet each utterance of "WALL-E" or "EVE" is rife with emotion and meaning far deeper than the actual words. Nora Ephron, eat your heart out.

As the film heads to outer space, the plot gives way to a Disney-fied HAL 9000 and a quiet satire of how technology has overtaken society. The animation is of course stunning and the humor broad enough to appeal to all audiences. But the heart of the film is still WALL-E's intrepid, loving spirit as he relentlessly, if foolishly, tries to help EVE complete her mission.

WALL-E might be a glorified rusty metal box, but he is one of the warmest and most inspiring characters to come to theaters in a long time.