BURN·E

BURN·E

Year: 2008

Runtime: 8 mins

Language: English

FamilyScience FictionAnimationComedy

A diligent robot named BURN·E is assigned a routine maintenance job, but after being locked out of his ship he discovers that even a straightforward task can turn into a perilous quest. As he navigates confined corridors, malfunctioning systems and unexpected hazards, he pushes his programming to its limits to fulfill his duty.

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Timeline & Setting – BURN·E (2008)

Explore the full timeline and setting of BURN·E (2008). Follow every major event in chronological order and see how the environment shapes the story, characters, and dramatic tension.

Time period

Location

Axiom starliner, Space near Saturn, Earth

Most of the action unfolds aboard the Axiom, a colossal interstellar starliner cruising through space. The repair sequence unfolds on the hull and inside the ship as WALL-E and EVE maneuver around the vessel. The story also touches on space near Saturn and culminates with the Axiom landing on Earth.

🚀 Space setting 🛰️ Spacecraft 🌍 Earth

Last Updated: October 04, 2025 at 16:58

Main Characters – BURN·E (2008)

Meet the key characters of BURN·E (2008), with detailed profiles, motivations, and roles in the plot. Understand their emotional journeys and what they reveal about the film’s deeper themes.

Captain B. McCrea (Jeff Garlin)

The Axiom's captain, responsible for steering through crises and maintaining order as AUTO's plans unfold. He exercises leadership under pressure and makes pragmatic decisions during the hull repair crisis. His authority clashes with the ship's automation, underscoring human oversight in a highly automated environment.

🚀 Captain 🧭 Leadership

WALL-E / M-O (Ben Burtt)

WALL-E is a curious, resourceful robot who travels aboard the Axiom after clinging to the ship. His presence triggers the chain of events that complicates BURN-E's repair, acting as a catalyst for the film's comic chaos. He embodies perseverance and ends up influencing the repair sequence through his actions.

🤖 Robot 🧭 Curiosity

EVE (Elissa Knight)

EVE is a probe robot on a mission to locate plant life. Her actions with WALL-E spark the hull events that drive BURN-E's repair saga, and she plays a pivotal role in the sequence that leads to the Axiom's detours. She is mission-focused and determined, contributing to the unfolding drama.

🔎 Probe 🧭 Mission

BURN-E (Angus MacLane)

BURN-E is the Basic Utility Repair Nano Engineer tasked with fixing a damaged spire on the Axiom's hull. He methodically works along a track with a welding torch, but WALL-E and EVE's arrival disrupts his efforts. After a series of misadventures, he finally connects the spire online only to see it destroyed by an obstacle, ending in frustrated persistence.

🧰 Repair 🧩 Persistence

Maintenance Computer (Tessa Swigart)

Maintenance Computer oversees routine systems on the Axiom and coordinates with SUPPLY-R to deploy BURN-E for hull repairs. It tracks the repair progress and the ship's status during the crisis, providing the backend context for the repair operation.

💾 AI 🧭 Systems

Last Updated: October 04, 2025 at 16:58

Major Themes – BURN·E (2008)

Explore the central themes of BURN·E (2008), from psychological, social, and emotional dimensions to philosophical messages. Understand what the film is really saying beneath the surface.

🛠️ Perseverance

BURN-E faces repeated setbacks while trying to repair a damaged spire on the Axiom's hull. He keeps attempting fixes despite misfires, misplacements, and doors closing in his face. The sequence highlights steadfast, problem-solving effort in the face of mechanical chaos.

🤖 Automation vs. Agency

The ship's automated systems (AUTO, SUPPLY-R) both enable and complicate BURN-E's mission. SUPPLY-R's interventions trigger new challenges, while AUTO's decisions create further obstacles. The tension reveals how autonomous systems interact with a lone repair robot.

🎯 Focus vs. Distraction

WALL-E's unexpected appearance draws BURN-E's attention away from the repair task. The distraction leads to further misadventures, illustrating how curiosity and external interruptions can derail a mission. The short uses humor to show how single-minded focus can be challenged by others.

Last Updated: October 04, 2025 at 16:58

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BURN·E Summary

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BURN·E Spoiler-Free Summary

More About BURN·E

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BURN·E (2008) Plot Summary & Movie Recap

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