Over the years, Pixar has built its identity on being the film company with groundbreaking animation and packing knockout emotional hits. Seriously, Pixar’s movies have had me, a grown 21-year-old crying over a group of toys or a rat who just wants to cook. While Pixar’s feature-length films like “Finding Nemo” and “Up” are better known for creating tear-jerking moments, the company has also gathered critical acclaim for its short films.
Starting in 2018, Pixar created SparkShorts, a program and series designed to give upcoming filmmakers a platform, and production company, to back them. Currently, there are six shorts in the series that all reach the visual and storytelling standard viewers have come to expect of Pixar. But, compared to past shorts, the SparkShort films deal with more complex and mature themes.
Below are the six short films rated from worst to best, as decided on by me, a college student who took one film class. All the films are available on Disney+, but, if you don’t have someone’s account password to steal like I do, they can also be found on YouTube. Enjoy.
6. Smash and Grab 3/5 Stars
Look, this film is adorable, ok? The film follows two worker robots, Smash and Grab, who spend their days in an endless routine of work while dreaming of experiencing the freedom of other robots. Smash and Grab, with their wordless friendship and big eyes, make a pair that’s easy to root for after only three minutes. At its bare essence, the film is simply another sweet story of friendship.
5. Loop 3/5 Stars
“Loop,” tells the story of two kids, a talkative boy and a nonverbal and autistic girl, on a canoe trip together who, to complete their trip, must see the world from each other’s perspective. “Loop” broke a historical wall for Pixar with its fist nonverbal, autistic character and does an excellent job of portraying a person on the autism spectrum. However, out of all the films, this one leaves the most to be desired.
Of course, the pair eventually get to know each other better but there doesn’t seem to be any real resolution. Yes, the boy learns to be more patient towards the girl, but that’s really is about it. The ending doesn’t suggest they form a friendship or the boy better understands people on the spectrum. While the representation is an excellent step towards progress, it feels as if the story was more of an afterthought.
4. Wind 4/5 Stars
In the magic world of “Wind,” a boy and his grandmother are trapped in an abyss with plans of building a rocket to escape to freedom and a better life. I don’t want to give any spoilers away, but this one feels like a classic Pixar film. With its unique premise and symbolism, this is where I really started to feel that signature, tear-grabbing storytelling Pixar does best.
3. Kitbull 4/5 Stars
Another film in the SparkShorts series that center around friendship, “Kitbull,” tells the story of the unlikely friendship between a skittish stray kitten and a lovable pit bull. As the two become friends, viewers come to find the pit bull is used for dogfighting and that’s about when the tears start stirring. Maybe its how adorably the dog is drawn or the fact that anything with animals is a sure way to the heartstrings, but “Kitbull” provides viewers a charming nine-minute story.
2. Float 4.5/5 Stars
Beautifully animated with an equally moving story, “Float” is one of the best films in the SparkShorts series as of now. In “Float,” a father discovers his son’s unique ability to, well, float. While at first, the father stares in awe as his son drifts away with the dandelion seeds, he quickly snatches him to the ground as he faces the judgmental eyes of other parents.
As the film progresses viewers get a glimpse into the role of a parent at war with himself for wanting to shield his son from the world’s cruelty while simultaneously knowing he’s hurting him by not allowing him to be himself. It’s around this film when I started reaching for the tissues and my phone to text my own father.
1. Purl 5/5 Stars
While it could be argued the heightened timing of the #MeToo movement helped elevate the film, I would say “Purl” could have been released at any time and still resonated with millions. Pixar’s best SparkShorts film follows a female ball of yarn named Purl as she navigates her new job at B.R.O. capital, a stand-in for any of the hundreds of male-dominated, corporate businesses throughout U.S. cities.
“Purl,” weaves together a number of complex topics seamlessly and effortlessly. The film touches on feminism, representation, tokenism and even the universal theme of not being welcomed simply because of being different. If “Purl” represents the future of Pixar filmmaking then I can’t wait to see what’s to come.
The Beat @APU 