I saw this film on March 12th, 2007 in Indianapolis. I am one of the judges for the Heartland Film Festival’s Truly Moving Picture Award. A Truly Moving Picture “…explores the human journey by artistically expressing hope and respect for the positive values of life.” Heartland gave that award to this film.Lewis is the ultimate nerd in this Disney Digital 3-D animation. His life started out sadly as a baby left on the door of an orphanage. As a 12 year-old at the orphanage, he is smart beyond his years. He is a consummate tinkerer, inventor, and scrounger of parts. His goal is ultimately to make a time machine so he can go back in time to find his real parents.
His plans almost come to fruition at a science fair, but an evil presence interrupts his plan. A mysterious 13 year-old boy, Wilbur Robinson, then intervenes and takes him to the future with a Dream Memory Machine. The plot turns more than complicated. We deal with generations of good and evil – past, present and future. It takes a lot of storytelling to tie it all together.
There is much humor in this both serious and farcical movie, and it mostly comes from the bad guy – the evil yet lovable(?), inept and stupid bad character Bowler Hat Guy, who derives most of his power from the top of his head with the intelligent and even more evil hat named Doris. And there are more characters everywhere – singing frogs, an almost effective dinosaur and an octopus butler.
Lewis displays a tremendous amount of inspirational behavior. He wants to make the world a better place via his inventions. He never gives up. He “…keeps moving
forward…” no matter what happens, and no matter what the obstacles are. He is loyal to his friends and offers olive branches to his enemies. He is quite a mature and heroic little boy.
FYI – There is a Truly Moving Pictures web site where there is a listing of past Truly Moving Picture Award winners that are now either at the theater or available on video.
