Greening the Generations: 'WALL-E,' Smash hit or short circuit?

GREG: So, after I stopped crying my eyes out that the Fourth of July fireworks were canceled due to an apocalyptic rainstorm, my friend and I figured we couldn't just go home or go to a bar like every other night. We had to do something a little wholesome.

"WALL-E" it was. The newest Disney-Pixar mash-up was exquisite in its portrayal of robots and scary in its portrayal of an Earth abandoned because of the amount of waste left by a civilization that likes its Macs Big and everything else individually wrapped. Thankfully, there was one little robot (WALL-E) left behind to clean it up while the rest of the world took off in a spaceship to wait it out.

I was surprised and glad that Disney-Pixar took on sustainability in such an impactful way, making such heavy topics relevant and kid-appropriate.

Taken the kids yet, Billy?

BILLY: No, my kids kung fu-ed my butt! I wanted to see "WALL-E" but they revolted, insisting instead on "Kung Fu Panda." Two hours with Jack Black and I feel as sustainable as a Hell's Angels' picnic. But it sounds like "WALL-E" is on its way to becoming the new Lorax ... right down to the controversy.

Yep, some simmering talking heads are out to whack WALL-E, saying the movie is anti-capitalism, anti-Big Mac, anti-the American Way (and all this so close to July 4th!). Same thing happened with "Happy Feet" a couple years ago. And while I liked that movie, the third act did seem a bit heavy handed. So about WALL-E, is it entertainment, propaganda or both?

AND, who would win in a fight, WALL-E or R2D2?

GREG: I can see where those detractors are coming from. It must be pretty tough to enjoy a movie when your products are potentially destroying the Earth. Yeah, maybe it was a little critical of the super-store culture we have become so used to, but aren't they a little anti-the American way, too? And shouldn't we be critical of those places?

I think WALL-E did a great job, not only by teaching kids that they shouldn't be wasteful, but also that the status quo and getting everything brought to you in the simplest and easiest way is not alright. The movie shows children and adults that we shouldn't sit back and say we'll take care of it later or that convenience is the way to go. No, it takes hard work and attention to make a civilization that is productive and capable.

Oh, WALL-E would have kicked R2's bleeping butt. Would have crushed him in his compactor belly.

BILLY: Excuse me, but R2D2 helped bring down an entire intergalactic evil empire! R2 is the Mohammed Ali of robots. And this Ali trumps WALL-E (even if I haven't seen the film, yet!). But I'll take your word that the movie's message isn't mean-spirited and get the kids in next weekend.

So, what about other traces of green on screen? I gotta say the leading candidate for least sustainable characters and premise goes to "Sex and the City." It's a celebration of excess as a life's calling ... and, according to some of the gals in my life, a couple Cosmos short of a truly good time. Oh, and speaking of Pixar, think for a second about "Cars." Not only was it too long, it's about cars roaming around as free as people! At $3.99 per gallon?! What would WALL-E say?

HAVE YOU SEEN WALL-E? WHAT'D YOU THINK? WHAT ABOUT 'MESSAGE MOVIES' IN GENERAL? LEAVE A COMMENT! ...