So, apart from the box-office, the real question is how did Pixar’s latest, WALL•E, fare with James R Whitson in our own Toon Review? Well, there’s no need to worry; James’ take makes it clear that he enjoyed the film. “There can be no question that Pixar is the best at what they do [but] there is still more that makes WALL•E unique, even among Pixar’s other films. Okay, not everything is perfect: having a real person playing the BnL CEO seems very out of place considering other human characters shown are animated, and a subplot with some damaged robots seems very unnecessary and almost tacked on for the kids. But none of this takes anything away from the film in the least [and] it almost seems like nitpicking to point them out! WALL•E shows that if you have the talent and the will you don’t have to be afraid of making a film that is different. And those differences are what makes this film so wonderful”. As James says at one point, “these are the droids you’re looking for” – I’m looking forward to meeting them!

Elsewhere on the site, I just wanted to say a big thanks to Randall for picking up my considerable slack. Honestly, folks, there are simply not enough hours in the day to cope with the “real world” and the several side projects I have had on the go in the past few weeks, and it’s unfortunately been this place that hasn’t seen me around, but Rand has done a sterling job of keeping reviews coming and jumping in here with a few occasional words – thanks bud!

One of the reasons I’ve not been around is down to the Elstree Film Festival, the week-long run of classic films made at the local studios in my home town, which we’re just in the midst of. We kicked off yesterday with The Great Muppet Caper and Who Framed Roger Rabbit, topped with appearances by Kermit The Frog himself, and a terrific prize donated by animator Jacques Muller: a wonderful drawing of Roger wishing the Festival well. Thanks to Jacques for that…it was a great way to get the ball rolling this year, and we’re continuing tonight with The Dam Busters. Speaking of which, I must cut it short for today, as we’re due to meet with the film’s star Richard Todd, and I have much to ask him about his time making three Disney pictures in the 1950s!

Stay tooned! – Ben.