New On DVD: 'WALL·E,' 'Tropic Thunder'

'WALL·E' (G): Call "WALL·E" the little robot that could.

That's because Pixar Animation Studios has done it again, and this time they've stretched the boundaries into space, as "Finding Nemo" writer-director Andrew Stanton voyages above the surface to tell an amazing story about a rusty old robot that breaks new ground.

Written by Oscar-winner Stanton and "Monsters, Inc." director Pete Docter, "WALL·E" tells the tale of a Waste Allocation Load Lifter -- Earth Class (WALL·E for short), a robot that someone forgot to shut off when the planet's inhabitants colonized in space. Compacting trash and collecting unique items over a period of 700 years, WALL·E's life changes dramatically when a probe droid, EVE (Elissa Knight), is sent to the planet to find out whether it's safe for humans to return.

Becoming smitten with his robotic counterpart, WALL·E gives EVE a piece of evidence that may help shape the future of mankind. But as he follows his love back to her mothership (the mainframe computer of which is voiced by Sigourney Weaver), WALL·E discovers that the residents and robots of the Axiom have lost sight of the real meaning of life -- putting the plans to re-colonize Earth in jeopardy.

The extraordinary thing about "WALL·E" is that it has very little dialogue, yet it manages to engage you emotionally. That's a difficult enough thing for an animated film to accomplish, let alone a live-action film. But through the blips and beeps of Oscar-winning sound effects master Ben Burtt (who gave "voice" to R2D2 in "Star Wars" among the film saga's endless amount of other sound effects), the machine comes alive, as does EVE -- and it creates an intergalactic love story for the ages.

There are humans depicted in the film, too, as over-bloated inhabitants of the colonized Axiom, which began housing them as the Earth began wasting away. Jeff Garlin brings warmth and sincerity to the movie as the captain of the Axiom; as does Pixar regular John Ratzenberger as John, one of the first people to wake up to the reality beyond the comforts of the mothership. And in Pixar's first-ever non-animated role, Fred Willard also brings his talented brand of dry wit to the CEO character of Buy N Large, the company responsible for planet's fragile state.

In addition to the film's unique sounds, Pixar's animation is as striking as ever. The detail is amazing from the pristine colors aboard the spacecrafts and the galaxy that envelops it, to the abandoned planet earth and its gritty, dilapidated vistas. In short, it looks and feels real, yet maintains its own unique, surreal quality.

Not so subtly hidden within "WALL·E" is a message about Earth's environment, but thankfully, it's not preachy. It's enough to get dialogue going with your kids, who will absolutely fall in love with WALL·E -- a robot with an incredible amount of heart.

DVD Features: The three-disc deluxe edition includes a digital copy to download on iPods and other portable devices. Bonus features include commentary by Stanton, multiple production featurettes, deleted scenes and the Pixar short film "Presto" that played before "WALL·E" in theaters.

"Presto" is a brilliant short about a snooty magician and his wise rabbit that should be a contender at this year's Oscars, as will "WALL·E" for Best Animated Feature. Another animated short, "BURN·E," is also included, and just as brilliant. The short expertly tells a scene in "WALL·E" from another perspective, as a repair robot is trying to do his job as EVE desperately attempts to save WALL·E from being sucked out of the ship's garbage dump. (Walt Disney Home Entertainment)

'Tropic Thunder' (R and Unrated Versions): Anyone aware of the under-appreciated, short-lived "Ben Stiller Show" on DVD (the sketch comedy had a one-season run on Fox in 1992), knows that Stiller is a master at starring in and directing movie spoofs, including a classic as Tom Cruise's character a the "A Few Good Men" send-up called "A Few Good Scouts."

Stiller brings that same brand of humor to "Tropic Thunder" as way to introduce us to the main characters in the film through a set of fake movie trailers. There's the king of gross-out comedies with an out-of-control drug habit in Jeff Portnoy (Jack Black); and the consummate method actor, Australian being a bad boy Kirk Lazurus (Robert Downey Jr.). Stiller plays fading action hero Tugg Speedman, who is haunted by the critical and industry thrashing for his attempt at serious roles, particularly for playing a mentally challenged horse whisperer in "Simple Jack."

The movie-in-a-movie is based on the real-life memoir of Four Leaf Tayback (Nick Nolte), a grizzled Vietnam veteran who tries to inject a bit more reality into the star ego- vehicle run amok. He's energized by studio boss Les Grossman's lashing of the film's British director (Steve Coogan), and as a result, talks the filmmaker into shooting the film guerrilla-style.

But when a landmine blows up the plans (in shockingly funny fashion), the soldiers are left to fend for themselves, not know that the jungle they're shooting in is inhabited by real bad guys -- a group of ruthless drug runners.

Coming full-circle from his "A Few Good Scouts" days, Stiller snagged Cruise for a pivotal role in "Tropic Thunder." Playing the balding, overweight studio blowhard Grossman, Cruise has never been funnier. He hurls F-bombs like there's no tomorrow and easily steals the show. And that's a tough thing to do considering the top-notch comedy performances by Stiller, Black and Downey.

Downey in particular has to be commended, as his character undergoes a skin-pigmentation procedure to make the white actor appear black. His character is obviously a spoof, but he finely walks the line between being funny and offensive (plus Brandon T. Jackson's rapper-actor puts Lazarus in his place). Jay Baruchel ("Knocked Up") holds his own against his A-list co-stars as the flunky, fifth member of the movie platoon.

Stiller's character of "Simple Jack" couldn't avoid controversy and drew intense criticism during its theatrical run. Studio DreamWorks didn't alter any footage for the DVD release of the film (it's too integral to the plot), but they make amends by including a poignant public service announcement in the disc's bonus features that respects mentally challenged people.

DVD Features: The two-disc special edition of the release includes filmmaker and cast commentaries, deleted and extended scenes, an MTV movie awards clip and production featurettes. The mock-documentary about the making of "Tropic Thunder," "Rain of Madness," may be funnier than the actual movie itself, as it mercilessly skewers Hollywood.

An alternate ending, among other things, examines the fate of Speedman's agent Rick Peck (Matthew McConaughey). Unlike most alternate endings, this one works and could have added something to the theatrical version of the film. (Paramount/DreamWorks Home Entertainment).

Also New: 'Sisterhood of the Traveling Pants 2' (PG-13): Having developed a big following after the first film was released on DVD, "The Sisterhood of the Traveling Pants" is back -- this time as the four best friends (America Ferrera, Blake Lively, Alexis Bledel and Amber Tamblyn) move away to different colleges and experience more of life's lessons. (Warner Home Video)