Burrow 9/10 The shortest but cutest and most wholesome/appropriate, “Burrow” follows a young rabbit trying to build the home of her dreams. While only six minutes long, “Burrow” is extremely delightful, entertaining, well animated and is able to communicate its story using no words. It’s an adorable little tale/tail and while its short running time may not make it the most memorable short film in the world, you’ll enjoy every second of it. Now on Disney+ if you want to check it out.
#SomethingBurrowed
Genius Loci 2/10 The longest (excluding the bonus short films) and worst of all the short films, “Genius Loci” is a French short film that is completely experimental. Too bad this experiment failed. The only reason I’m giving this two points out of ten is because the animation is extremely unique and well done. Yet it comes down to style over substance because this is a completely pretentious, nonsensical mess that looks interesting but is about absolutely nothing and is an utter waste of time. Easily the worst the short films have to offer.
#JokeOfGenius
If Anything Happens I Love You 3.5/10 The second weakest short film, this one from Netflix, starts off intriguing but turns into political propaganda half way through. At the beginning we aren’t quite sure what’s going on and even think the short could be about divorce. Then the film shifts to an anti-Constitutional stand point based off of an emotional appeal. The film’s use of shadows looks good but has been done before in other short films and the couple’s transition from sad to happy over a montage with a song playing that doesn’t fit with what’s happening sinks the film. Not a surprise considering how far left Netflix is but still a pandering waste of time either way.
#ShootingBlanks
Opera 9.5/10 From South Korea, “Opera” is the best out of all of these short films and deserved to win the Academy Award here (sadly, it went to “If Anything Happens I Love You”). Featuring one, nine minute unbroken shot, the film slowly pans down, out and back up and that’s it. As simple as that sounds, what is shown during those nine minutes is deep, powerful and worth discovering. There is so much going on at once that this makes you want to re-watch the film as soon as it ends so you can look at other places onscreen to see what you missed. One that has to be seen for yourself to fully understand it, “Opera” is unlike any short film I’ve ever seen and the clear winner in my eyes.
#DopeOpera
Yes-People 4/10 From Iceland, “Yes-People”, much like “Genius Loci” made me say, “What the Hell was the point of that?” once it ended. Luckily at nine minutes long, you won’t lose too much time but the short film follows several characters going through their respective days. We don’t get to know much about the characters (one woman has the shakes but we have no idea if she has a medical condition or if it is just a nervous habit) and the animation looks like Pixar…in 1998. The pacing works and you’ll be entertained but it felt pointless and had the worst animation out of all these short films.
#NoPeople
BONUS SHORT FILMS
Kapaemahu 7/10 In Niihau Hawaiian, this short film tackles some mythological Hawaiian legends regarding four healing stones. The story is interesting, the pacing is excellent (this is eight minutes long), the narration is pleasantly spoken and well done and the animation looks beautiful. The problem is that the film falls apart in the last minute or so of the running time, taking what could have been a great short film down to a good one. A pleasant surprise but needed a better ending.
#DirectedByTaikaWaikiki
The Snail and the Whale 7.5/10 Coming in at 26 minutes, “The Snail and the Whale” is the longest short film of the bunch. Coming from Britain and featuring the most famous voice cast (Sally Hawkins, Diana Rigg), the film is told in rhymes, which I absolutely loved and just as a personal preference, I wish more films would take on that challenge in storytelling. The animation was beautiful and it was well made but dragged in a few spots and could have cut out some of the fat to trim the running time. The story isn’t the most memorable but the presentation and voice cast are.
#SnailBlazer
To: Gerard 6.5/10 From DreamWorks Animation, “To: Gerard” follows an elderly mailman who dreams of performing magic and a little girl he inspires. It is a heartwarming tale, much like “Burrow” and the animation is well done. At only seven minutes long, is isn’t the most memorable film and has some clichés but is still very much enjoyable and for the entire family. Has shades of certain Pixar films that influenced it but still worth watching and can be done so if you have the Peacock streaming service.
#MagicTike
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