The film drew comparisons to Charlie Chaplin's finest work by its reliance in its first half-hour on stunning visuals, an almost complete lack of dialogue and the title character's poignant emotional attachment (in Wall-E's case, a videocassette of "Hello, Dolly!").
Critically celebrated, the movie appealed perhaps even more to adults than the children it was marketed to, with its strong love story and environmental message.
"It's been such an inspiration to spend time with a character who so tenaciously struggles to find the beauty in everything that he sees," said Stanton, who has been nominated for five Academy Awards and whose "Finding Nemo" won in the same category in 2003. "It's a noble aspiration to have at times like these."
One of his other nominations came for writing 1995's "Toy Story."
Stanton thanked his high school drama teacher, Phil Perry, for casting him as Barnaby in "Hello, Dolly!" -- the film version of which entrances and inspires his animated robotic character to pursue his love.
"Creative seeds are sown in the oddest of places so," he said in accepting his Oscar.
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Visual effects
Eric Barba, Steve Preeg, Burt Dalton
and Craig Barron
"The Curious Case of Benjamin Button"
Though the film had become the subject of some derision among late-night comedy television hosts for its stately storytelling, there was no denying that the visual effects in "The Curious Case of Benjamin Button" were groundbreaking and breathtaking. In creating the remarkable achievement of seeming to age Brad Pitt from an old man to a young baby (or is that the other way around?), the work done to place the actor's head on a series of different-sized bodies was something that had simply never been seen before. The blending from practical makeup effects to digital trickery was practically seamless.
This was the first nomination for Barba, Preeg and Dalton. Barron had previously received one nomination.
In presenting the award, Will Smith noted that he specifically wanted to represent a category that included action films such as nominees "The Dark Knight" and "Iron Man," films that have explosions and car chases, and "what's the other word I'm looking for? Fans."
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Animated short
Kunio Kato
"La Maison en Petits Cubes"
The 12-minute film, which means "House of Small Cubes," centers on an old man reflecting upon his life as floodwaters slowly rise at his home. It marked the first Academy Award nomination and win for Kato, who wrote and directed the piece.
"It's so heavy," said Kato of the award. A native of Japan, he struggled with his English in good humor before a star-studded audience. "Thank you very much. Thank you, my supporters. Thank you, all my staff. Thank you, academy. . . . Thank you, my company. Domo arigato, Mr. Roboto."
Kato's film career was not his first choice. As a child, he wanted to be a veterinarian but gave it up because of an allergy to cats.
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Makeup
Greg Cannom
"The Curious Case of Benjamin Button"
In a category often dominated by the horror genre -- and this year featuring fellow nominees "The Dark Knight" and "Hellboy II: The Golden Army" -- Cannom won for the period drama that has Brad Pitt aging in reverse.
Cannom has previously won Oscars for "Mrs. Doubtfire" and "Dracula," but Benjamin Button's tale presented special challenges for Cannom, who used several silicone appliances, as well as hand-drawn lines, to create the appearance of age for Pitt and costar Cate Blanchett.
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Film editing
Chris Dickens
"Slumdog Millionaire"
Dickens rode the wave of awards showered on "Slumdog Millionaire," picking up the Oscar for film editing.
Dickens earned his first Academy Award nomination, and his first victory, by masterfully weaving together a kaleidoscope of spectacular scenery and complicated story lines about an 18-year-old from the slums of Mumbai who lands on the television game show "Who Wants to Be a Millionaire."
"Thank you so much for this," said Dickens, who as a child wanted to be a scientist and later thought of becoming a sculptor and painter before settling on film editing. "I just want to say I had a fantastic time working on this film. I really didn't want it to end."
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Art direction
Donald Graham Burt (art direction) and Victor J. Zolfo (set decoration)
"The Curious Case of Benjamin Button"
In the first win of the night for the film that entered with the most nominations, art director Burt and set decorator Zolfo won for "Benjamin Button," a film that spans decades and jumps from Louisiana to Europe and back again. It was the first time both men had been up for an Oscar; the pair had also won a British Academy of Film and Television Arts Award for their work on the film.
Burt thanked the various crews -- in New Orleans, Montreal, St. Thomas and Los Angeles -- as well as the producers, noting that "our producers were great because they did what every producer should ever do, and that's leave us alone."
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(BEGIN TEXT OF INFOBOX)
BEST PICTURE
"Slumdog Millionaire"
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LEAD ACTOR
Sean Penn
"Milk"
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LEAD ACTRESS
Kate Winslet
"The Reader"
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SUPPORTING ACTOR
Heath Ledger
"The Dark Knight"
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SUPPORTING ACTRESS
Penelope Cruz
"Vicky Cristina Barcelona"
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DIRECTOR
Danny Boyle
"Slumdog Millionaire"
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Compiled by Martin Miller, Mark Olsen and Margaret Wappler
