And the fun doesn�t stop there. Over in the �film fan� section you�ll find a collection of tongue-in-cheek �B�n�L Shorts�, narrated by the one and only Fred Willard, which elaborate on such topics as the history of the Buy �n� Large corporation and the many comforts and amenities of that luxury liner of outer space, the Axiom.

Also included are two more deleted scenes (in animated storyboard form) that give you a chance to see the original designs for Auto (resembling a certain other menacing Disney robot, The Black Hole�s Maximilian) and the film�s human characters. Quite shockingly, they were originally depicted as completely de-evolved, gelatinous blobs (think flubber with a face).

The �Behind the Scenes� section is divided into six individual sections, beginning with an informative look at the cinematography of a computer animated film in �The Imperfect Lens: Creating the Look of WALL-E�. �Life of a Shot� is a fascinating deconstruction of all the many-many artists who contribute their talents to even just one section of a feature length film like WALL-E. �Captain�s Log: The Evolution of Humans� elaborates on those JELL-O-ey humans of the early concepts, including a look at the maquettes made out of, yes, JELL-O.

How a modular system was used to created the myriad of background bots is explained in �Robo-Everything�, with special attention paid to the featured players, the spider-like, HAL 9000-eyed Auto and the meticulous M-O, described as �Piglet to WALL-E�s Pooh�. �Notes on a Score� focuses on composer Thomas Newman, who will hopefully, finally get his own Oscar for his sublime score to this movie, while �WALL-E and EVE� tells of the origins and designs (�simplicity masking complexity�) of the film�s leading couple.

And last, but certainly not least, is the acclaimed documentary The Pixar Story (written, directed and produced by Leslie Iwerks, granddaughter of the legendary animator Ub Iwerks). A true treat for animation fans -- and Pixar fans in particular -- this Story covers the relatively brief but brilliant history of the computer animation giant, from its humble beginnings when John Lassiter and his staff had to share one computer to its time at Lucasfilm to Steve Jobs� faith-filled investment to its triumphs and trials with Disney.

Even if you are well versed in all things Pixar (thanks to all that redundant �behind the scenes at Pixar� stuff), you�ll find plenty to savor in this efficient, quickly paced doc, highlighted by a host of interviews with a veritable �who�s who� of the modern animation elite. Bold-face names showing their faces here include Tim Allen, Brad Bird, Ed Catmull, Ron Clements, Billy Crystal, Roy Disney, Pete Docter, Michael Eisner, Joe Grant, Don Hahn, Ollie Johnston, Tom Hanks, Bob Iger, Glen Keane, George Lucas, Leonard Maltin, Dennis Muren, John Musker, Randy Newman, Joe Ranft, Thomas Schumacher, Andrew Stanton, Frank Thomas and Lee Unkrich, not to mention narration provided by Stacy Keach.

Ironically, WALL-E is nowhere to be found in The Pixar Story, which played a few film festivals and had a limited release last year (similarly, Ratatouille is seen briefly but is not elaborated upon). Regardless, The Pixar Story is a must-see for any true student of film animation, and is a well-appreciated addition to this excellent DVD release.

• It�s Bolt to the rescue! Disney�s new canine crime fighter strikes in a theater near you November 21.
• The Chronicles of Narnia: Prince Caspian makes its Disney DVD debut December 2.
• It�s that time of year again: a special Toon Talk look at the best of 2008.

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-- Posted November 19, 2008
-- Kirby C. Holt
-- Logos by William C. Searcy, Magic Bear Graphics