The movie is a journal of a man's visit to the island. Using a series of varying art styles (some of which appear to be a journal page coming to life), you see highlights of this trip.
I was shocked when I went onto IMDb to post this review. After all, after seeing a special screening of all the Academy Award-nominated animated shorts I thought it was a best in the very strong field of five. Yes, inexplicably its score is currently only 6.9--a score that would indicate that it's only an average film (yes, 6.9 is about average on IMDb--not 5.0). I don't get it--perhaps the non-traditional story or unusual animation put off some--I thought it was brilliant and if I were awarding the Oscar I'd give it to "Madagascar".
Why did I like it so? Well, the way the film so rapidly changed from one art style to another to yet another to yet another was a wonderful way for the artists to show off their skills. I didn't mind this bouncy style at all--but, interestingly, when I called my daughter to discuss the films (she is halfway across the country but we always go to these and then talk about them on the phone), she absolutely hated it. Her impression was that the film bounced so much that it made her eyes and brain hurt and she didn't like the story. Hyperactive me, I didn't mind any of this at all and liked that the story was not at all traditional and played more like a diary coming to life.
Hmmmm....so obviously my review didn't clear this up at all for you! If you don't mind a lot of bright images and a non-traditional story, then this is for you. If you occasionally get sensory overload and demand a clear story with a start and a finish, then you might be a bit disappointed. All I know is I loved it and was very, very impressed with the artistry. A moving film and my vote for best animated short.
UPDATE: I was surprised, but just moments ago I saw that "The Lost Thing" won the Oscar for Best Animated Short. To me, this was a surprise! I guess this helps illustrate that if I like a film, it's doomed!!
I was shocked when I went onto IMDb to post this review. After all, after seeing a special screening of all the Academy Award-nominated animated shorts I thought it was a best in the very strong field of five. Yes, inexplicably its score is currently only 6.9--a score that would indicate that it's only an average film (yes, 6.9 is about average on IMDb--not 5.0). I don't get it--perhaps the non-traditional story or unusual animation put off some--I thought it was brilliant and if I were awarding the Oscar I'd give it to "Madagascar".
Why did I like it so? Well, the way the film so rapidly changed from one art style to another to yet another to yet another was a wonderful way for the artists to show off their skills. I didn't mind this bouncy style at all--but, interestingly, when I called my daughter to discuss the films (she is halfway across the country but we always go to these and then talk about them on the phone), she absolutely hated it. Her impression was that the film bounced so much that it made her eyes and brain hurt and she didn't like the story. Hyperactive me, I didn't mind any of this at all and liked that the story was not at all traditional and played more like a diary coming to life.
Hmmmm....so obviously my review didn't clear this up at all for you! If you don't mind a lot of bright images and a non-traditional story, then this is for you. If you occasionally get sensory overload and demand a clear story with a start and a finish, then you might be a bit disappointed. All I know is I loved it and was very, very impressed with the artistry. A moving film and my vote for best animated short.
UPDATE: I was surprised, but just moments ago I saw that "The Lost Thing" won the Oscar for Best Animated Short. To me, this was a surprise! I guess this helps illustrate that if I like a film, it's doomed!!