My son and I (56 and 75) were struck by the resemblance of Wall-E to Woody Allen - the eyes, the hands held awkwardly over his torso - come on,
admit he is the true source of this imaginary soul!

Sent by Ellie Siskind | 3:36 PM ET | 07-07-2008

Don't forget the 1972 film, "Silent Running", with three (?) boxy, but expressive, robots much like Wall-E. These, however, were "real"--physical puppets (?).

Sent by Tony Zinicola, Jr. | 3:54 PM ET | 07-07-2008

There's the three robots in the 1972 movie "Silent Running" that Bruce Dern's character named Huey, Dewey and Louie. In one scene the robot is swept away in a meteor storm and essentially killed. Very moving scene for the death of an iPod with appendages.

Sent by Mike | 3:56 PM ET | 07-07-2008

I wrote an Ode to the Trashcan and the The Mighty Warrior of trash collection about five years ago, published in our local paper. It made me laugh to think someone has made a robot movie along these lines. I'll have to make sure I see that movie.

Sent by Barbara G Sanchez | 4:05 PM ET | 07-07-2008

I'm glad someone mentioned "Silent Running!" The movie's over 30 years old, but it still kills me at the closing scene as the final robot (I think it was Huey) is dutifully carrying out Bruce Dern's instructions to keep the plants alive whilst all alone.

Sent by Elian Gonalez | 4:06 PM ET | 07-07-2008

Mr. Incredible is my favorite. What a parable for modern fatherhood?
Always feeling responsible for everything.
Often feeling utterly dis-empowered
In conflict by default with those closest to him.
Wanting to protect them but unable to.
Always looking back wistfully to the good old days when we were gods, could do many things and did so, always in the best of causes.

If only I were a Super, then maybe I could fulfill some of the dreams I share with my overweight-father animated counterpart.

Sent by Arthur Klassen | 6:41 PM ET | 07-07-2008

1) Yeah, you'd be remiss without mentioning Huey in "Silent Running!". Glad to see others agree.
2) I found Iron Giant endearing, even though he was large.
3) I liked the animation in "Final Fantasy: The Spirits Within" very much. It's a great movie.

Sent by Allen Halsey | 3:07 PM ET | 07-10-2008