This is going to be a tough review to write, since the subject is only a 5 minute short, but I felt compelled to after learning that this 2002 release won the Oscar for Best Animated Short, which I felt really wasn't justified.
A test animation by Sony Pictures Imageworks, "The ChubbChubbs!" tells the story of Meeper, a meek, whiny alien janitor who works at a bar/lounge called the "Ale-E-Inn", and is fired after accidentally electrocuting the bar's stage-performer. Upon being ejected, he learns that a race of ruthless beings known as the "ChubbChubbs" are coming, and could potentially destroy everything before them- including Meeper, the entire bar and a group of small chick-like furry critters who are happily mingling out front. And so Meeper sets out to try and warn the bar before the horrible creatures arrive and destroy everyone.
To it's credit, the film has some cute moments and amusing jokes. It's loaded with dozens of pop-culture references to famous Sci-Fi films, featuring cameos from everything from Darth Vader to the robot from "Lost in Space." Heck, there's even an early appearance by a dying Jar- Jar Binks-like Gungan form "Star Wars: Episode I." (Which without a doubt put a devious smirk on the face of everyone who saw that film and hated Jar- Jar.) It's clear that this film had a lot of heart put into it, and was made by people who were genuine fans of science fiction.
The animation is also very solid, especially for what is a glorified test by an effects company looking to branch out more. And I will admit Meeper is a likable enough lead character, although I found his nasally, whining voice a bit over-the-top.
However, this film is also very flawed and surprisingly average, which is why I don't agree with it winning the Oscar.
For one, many of the pop-culture and science fiction references feel forced and don't add much. Much in the same way as the Seltzer- Friedberg comedies ("Epic Movie", "Disaster Movie", etc.) fail for having no jokes and an over-reliance on references, this film is uneven in it's humor, and seems to think that a making a reference is the same thing as making a joke. Which it's not. The references were nice, but they weren't automatically funny or charming. I think they should have been kept in as background "Easter Eggs" for fans to discover, instead of being as big a focus as they are. And to be honest, there just aren't too many honest jokes besides prat-falls and slapstick. Which, while they work when well done (ex. early Warner Bros. cartoons), they can fall flat when mishandled. And finally, the ending is very predictable and obvious, and though I won't spoil it, most people over the age of 12 will see it coming a mile away.
However, despite those flaws, this is still a well-made short film, and it does have just enough charm to make it worth checking out once. But I do seriously contest it's win for Best Animated Short. This is a cute film, but it's not Academy Award worthy.
"The ChubbChubbs!" gets a slightly above average 6 out of 10. Check it out once or twice if you get a chance and give it a shot.
A test animation by Sony Pictures Imageworks, "The ChubbChubbs!" tells the story of Meeper, a meek, whiny alien janitor who works at a bar/lounge called the "Ale-E-Inn", and is fired after accidentally electrocuting the bar's stage-performer. Upon being ejected, he learns that a race of ruthless beings known as the "ChubbChubbs" are coming, and could potentially destroy everything before them- including Meeper, the entire bar and a group of small chick-like furry critters who are happily mingling out front. And so Meeper sets out to try and warn the bar before the horrible creatures arrive and destroy everyone.
To it's credit, the film has some cute moments and amusing jokes. It's loaded with dozens of pop-culture references to famous Sci-Fi films, featuring cameos from everything from Darth Vader to the robot from "Lost in Space." Heck, there's even an early appearance by a dying Jar- Jar Binks-like Gungan form "Star Wars: Episode I." (Which without a doubt put a devious smirk on the face of everyone who saw that film and hated Jar- Jar.) It's clear that this film had a lot of heart put into it, and was made by people who were genuine fans of science fiction.
The animation is also very solid, especially for what is a glorified test by an effects company looking to branch out more. And I will admit Meeper is a likable enough lead character, although I found his nasally, whining voice a bit over-the-top.
However, this film is also very flawed and surprisingly average, which is why I don't agree with it winning the Oscar.
For one, many of the pop-culture and science fiction references feel forced and don't add much. Much in the same way as the Seltzer- Friedberg comedies ("Epic Movie", "Disaster Movie", etc.) fail for having no jokes and an over-reliance on references, this film is uneven in it's humor, and seems to think that a making a reference is the same thing as making a joke. Which it's not. The references were nice, but they weren't automatically funny or charming. I think they should have been kept in as background "Easter Eggs" for fans to discover, instead of being as big a focus as they are. And to be honest, there just aren't too many honest jokes besides prat-falls and slapstick. Which, while they work when well done (ex. early Warner Bros. cartoons), they can fall flat when mishandled. And finally, the ending is very predictable and obvious, and though I won't spoil it, most people over the age of 12 will see it coming a mile away.
However, despite those flaws, this is still a well-made short film, and it does have just enough charm to make it worth checking out once. But I do seriously contest it's win for Best Animated Short. This is a cute film, but it's not Academy Award worthy.
"The ChubbChubbs!" gets a slightly above average 6 out of 10. Check it out once or twice if you get a chance and give it a shot.