WALL-E
DVD release date: November 18, 2008

There are several versions of
"Wall-E" on DVD. The Blu-Ray versions and single, double and even triple disc sets. The following information is based on the three disc set.

Also, please enjoy some of the video clips I've posted for the DVD below!

I always look forward to Pixar releases and “Wall-E” is no disappointment. Even the packaging is clever in the way you access the discs!

One of the things that’s on this disc that I felt needs to be mentioned first and foremost is Leslie Iwerks' fantastic documentary, “The Pixar Story.” I’m so excited that this is on disc 2 of this set.

“The Pixar Story” is a full-length feature film which is an amazing look into the history of Pixar. It was released in only select theatres for a very limited time. I was fortunate enough to see it in a theatre and was anxious for it be released on DVD which it never was. I would have gladly paid full price for a single release of that film, and am thrilled that Disney was able to obtain it and release it in its entirety on this set. Michael Eisner, Bob Iger, Tim Allen and Tom Hanks are just a few of the names appearing in the film.

The excitement on the Wall-E DVD set begins in the previews for upcoming films, as there is a new trailer for the next Pixar release, “Up.” It’s short and sweet but in typical Pixar fashion it’s likely to bring a smile to your face.

After viewing the preview for “Up” again I immediately went to the BONUS FEATURES menu to see the all new original seven and a half minute Pixar short, BURN-E.

BURN-E is an adorable little robot who only needs to fix a lightbulb but encounters multiple obstacles. With scenes from the main movie we see what BURN-E was up to while we were watching Wall-E and Eve in the film.

PRESTO is the THEATRICAL SHORT that preceded Wall-E in the theatres. It’s an hilarious tale about a magician struggling to pull a rabbit out of a hat, while the rabbit simply wants to eat. With plenty of slapstick humor and exaggerated situations in the style of the great carton shorts of the past, “Presto” still makes me laugh out loud even though I already saw it in the theatre.

SNEAK PEEK: WALL-E’S TOUR OF THE UNIVERSE is a fifty second teaser to get you to visit the wall-e.com website.

There are two DELETED SCENES that were nearly fully completed and although there are only two scenes, there’s nine and a half minutes of unseen footage there! Both scenes are similar other scenes in the film, so rather than simply being cut from the film they were actually replaced. In addition to a quick intro to the scenes by Director Andrew Stanton, you get to hear him also talk more about what you just saw after you watch the scenes which is pretty cool.

It’s great to watch the film with the AUDIO COMMENTARY BY DIRECTOR ANDREW STANTON. Right off the bat it’s packed with great information when Andrew tells why he chose “Hello Dolly” as the film scene on the video throughout the movie and continuing with some fascinating insight throughout the entire film including how and why things were done and the thought process that went into the movie.

Rounding out disc 1 is ANIMATION SOUND DESIGN: BUILDING WORLDS FROM THE SOUND UP. This piece which is nearly nineteen minutes long is depicts what it took to create many of the very unique sounds that the film demanded.
CLIP

Much of this piece is centered around sound genius Ben Burtt, whose sound design career goes back all the way to “Star Wars.” Among the highlights, he explains the thought process into some of the film’s main characters.

Unlike a typical animated feature, the voices of the main characters were not just recorded with the final result sounding like the actor, but they required many attempts at unique tweaking to make the voices fit the robot characters. In this featurette we get some fascinating glimpses into the process.

Beyond just how sounds were created for “Wall-E” there is an amazing history of the sound effects used by Disney and a tour of some of the vintage tools used for sound effects.

In the spirit of other Pixar releases there are some EASTER EGGS on this BOTH discs. The couple I found on the main menu take a bit of fancy maneuvering to get to but they’re there. One of them is a four and a half minute piece with some behind the scenes fun, but I won’t divulge any more about this cool piece other than you’ve got to find it! The other is a super quick little treat. Disc 2 has a nearly two minute piece that I found quite interesting.

I don’t want to divulge what you will see in the Easter eggs or how to find them, but I will give you a hint. If you are navigating the highlight around the screen and it doesn’t move where you would expect, that’s a clue.

On DISC 2 you’ve got two options. For HUMANS and ROBOTS.

Under ROBOTS are the following:

WALL-E’S TREASURES & TRINKETS is nearly five minutes of chuckles. I don’t know what these were created for but they are a collection of thirty second little scenes of Wally and a prop. A hula hoop, a basketball, a vacuum cleaner… each is sure to at least get you grinning.
CLIP

BOT FILES show you images of the numerous various robots found in the movie. You may select them to learn more about what each robot does.

“LOTS OF BOTS” STORYBOOK is a read along story. My six year old enjoyed the PLAY ALONG version is which is the read along version but with various activites along the way. I enjoyed the READ ALONG version which is a play on children’s books, kind of Dr. Seussesque. Cute bonus feature. Cute robot creature. Funny book. Take a look.

Under HUMANS are the following:

It is under this section Leslie Iwerks’ “THE PIXAR STORY” resides.

There are five BNL SHORTS for a total of nine and a half minutes. These are fun and humorous corporate video parodies, created hundreds of years before “Wall-E,” when humans were still very much like today. These videos make me want to work for BNL… or at least move to the Axiom!

DELETED SCENES is nearly thirteen minutes of two additional deleted scenes. Again Director Andrew Stanton offers comments both before and after the scenes. These particular scenes are at a much earlier stage in the film which is fun to see just another step in the magical Pixar process.

The following are under BEHIND THE SCENES:

LIFE OF A SHOT: DECONSTRUCTING THE PIXAR PROCESS is five minutes which illustrates just how much amazing work goes into a single shot of the film. And just because it’s computerized it still requires animators, choice of camera lens, and a mind boggling array of other tasks. What’s really cool with this little feature is that you get to see all the people individually explain what their job was on a shot of the film.

THE IMPERFECT LENS is a fourteen and a half minute featurette about the look of the film. Part of the studies that went into the film was learning about cinematography, lighting and other visual elements from top experts in the field. More than just general information, I imagine this piece would be an excellent tool for both live action and animation film students.

At eight minutes, CAPTAINS LOG: THE EVOLUTION OF HUMANS offers some fascinating looks at some early concept work before any humans were to be in the film… a substantially story than the final film. The original alien like creatures literally evolved into the human characters that appeared in the film.

WALL-E AND EVE is a seven minute look at much of the creative process that was necessary to not only bring Wall-E and Eve to life on screen but to make them believable as well.
CLIP

ROBO EVERYTHING is a five minute featurette about the robots and some of the research and thought processes that went into creating the bots for the film.

The ten and a half minute NOTES ON A SCORE featurette focuses on everything that went into the musical score, with plenty of behind the scenes footage and insight from those involved.

Disc 3 is a digital copy disc for you to copy the film to your iPod, Blackberry and other digital devices.

And now, here's some extra fun for you. In every Pixar film there are hidden references to past Pixar films and "Wall-E" has references from "Toy Story," "A Bug's Life," and more!
Download this free PDF to find out what else you can search for in "Wall-E!"