Scene analysis 2: WALL-E
The shot that I selected to analyze is the one that played a crucial role in my discussion post for this module. It is the scene in which WALL-E discovers the small plant growing in a boot. In WALL-E film, there is a scene where a small seedling plant is found [by WALL-E) growing in a boot. Essentially, the title ‘WALL-E is used as a reference to the tree that grew in a broken fridge. WALL-E was the one who discovers the dazzling, green tree. WALL-E is a little programmed bot that was purposely made to compact and clean up Earth’s trash. However, it is a curiosity that has driven it to find the seedling tree. The bot developed the interest after he split up the fridge doo in two-halves with his mounted-head laser. The plant, despite its nature, plays a critical role in the film. Upon seeing the plant, the bot digs it up and put it in the boot he had earlier found. WALL-E takes the seedling to the vehicle where he is living.
It is the motive of ambition and curiosity that drives forward the film. In the case of WALL-E, it is the power of the existential viewpoint that compelled the director to show this fantastic scene. For instance, it shows how important it is conserved and preserves our environment. A plant growing in a boot is a symbolic depiction of how humanity has taken upon themselves to destroy the environment. However, the director wanted to show us that we still have a hope to save ourselves – by protecting our environment.
Nonetheless, the only way to instil hope and save Mother Nature is by planting trees – go green. Curiosity is a spark that brings the desire and inquisitiveness to make informed, authentic choices to WALL-E. He saw a growing seedling and decided to protect and conserve it. He knew that his world defended on the plant’s survival. This shows us that it is our utmost duty to preserve our environmental surroundings.
Collectables, knickknacks and new items are integral parts of WALL-E personality. It is the curiosity that drives authentic choice, which drives personality in this case. For instance, it is curiosity that drove WALL-E to collect knickknacks, gain his personality, interact differently with the environment and eventually lean a primary language. This is what distinguishes the robot from his fellow monotonous bots on Earth. The film is primarily driven by the urge of curiosity, which can be described as a form of existentialism. Interest is a crucial part of the film – it is pitted against antiquated protocols of the dying society. This helps to elucidate illuminating existential ideas by showing the audiences a clear distinguishing between the two competing ideologies.
Additionally, discovery is another element of curiosity presented in the film. It is presented throughout the film – discovering of the symbolic plant. It is the art of discovery that gives WALL-E the uncorrupted aftertaste of making his own, true interactions and decisions. For instance, it is the sense of discovery that compelled the robot to do what was right – saving the seedling – instead of obeying his programming instructions for eternity. For him, the environment is his primary target and interest. Discovery of the seedling plant helps him to break from the chains of constraints and thus, make authentic, right choices.