Yes, the animation is stunning. We expect nothing less from Pixar, and they haven’t failed us yet. Yes, it breaks all sorts of boundaries and sets new standards. But no, it is not the perfect children’s film. The plot and premise are bleak, depressing and unnerving — if children can actually understand it, they could come away frightened rather than entertained.

Basically, WALL-E is a rusty little trash compactor with a personality, left alone on earth for 700 years after all humans hopped on a huge starship and abandoned the planet because it was so polluted. One day, a sweet little probe robot arrives, and WALL-E immediately falls in robot love. He inadvertently hands her a sign that life can be sustained on earth again, and she does as programmed – races back to the mother ship with the evidence. WALL-E follows her.

On the mother ship, we find that the humans living in space for 700 years have morphed into fat blobs that glide around on lounge chairs and have little use for their chubby appendages. It gives a whole new meaning to "couch potato." They flop around helplessly when toppled from their chaises. These subhumans are supposed to be excited about returning to earth and repopulating what has become a massive garbage dump?

Sure, there is plenty of cuteness and cleverness, and adults will be enthralled. Children, too, will probably adore what they can understand, and what they can’t probably won’t hurt them. Just be aware that underneath the charming love story and spellbinding animation lurks a decidedly dark view of the future.

Rated G.

-- LJM