Horst in Translation (filmreviews@web.de)
"Das Rad" is a 2003 Academy Award nominated student short film by Chris Stenner, Arvid Uibel and Heidi Wittlinger. The most interesting thing is maybe how different the paths of the trio went. Uibel died in 2000 at age 23 or 24 already, Wittlinger has worked here and there in the animation department for small projects, but XStenner really hit the jackpot having worked on "Iron Man 2", "Game of Thrones", "Cropse Bride", "Hugo" and many other big projects.Anyway, back to "The Wheel". I have to say that I did not really enjoy these 8 minutes. The film plays during the Stone Age and we see two stone creatures talk to each other making jokes repeatedly about how grass grows on the back of one of them. Then, one of them discovers the wheel which turns out a pretty evil vision though, so they are glad when everything is back to normal without the wheel shortly afterward.I can sort-of see how people like this short film, as it is somewhat different, but it's not really my cup of tea and it probably would not have made my personal top5 in the animated short film category that year.
ankitmirinseth
This short animation shows evolution of mankind from the perspective of rocks(stones). This is about how rocks witness our progress. This point is highlighted that time moves slowly for rocks. Early man takes inspiration from a circular rock and discovers wheel which becomes the vehicle of modernization and buoyed by its success mankind forgets that its damaging the nature. European cinema has always been much more thought provoking than Hollywood and this is no different. And the animation is done tastefully. This short film really makes me wonder that whether our own success will turn a disaster for us. Truly an Oscar animation
ccthemovieman-1
This is a stop-animation short, featuring two "people," actually just rock formations but, in animated short subjects (cartoons, to most people) we all know inanimate objects are real and talk like people! Anyway, these two likable stoners are near the top of a hill and just kind of observe what is going around them. At first, there is nothing and the short rock-man just sits and fiddles with this round rock. It's like it fascinates him but he can't figure out what to do with it.Both "guys" watch as humans eventually arrive in the distance and slowly build things. Before you know it, there is road leading past them. The little rock discovers the purpose of that round rock - it's a wheel, and apparently, he says, everything revolves around that "transport" invention.Later, a huge metallic city arrives - denoting much more passage of time and "progress" - but that doesn't last long....at least when considering the thousands of years that rocks survive. In the end, the rock people and their surroundings are back where they started with only the annoying problem of moss growing on their heads to bother these simple but likable "people." This is a lot of fun to watch, with great animation and a cute and clever story.
misionary2
This little film is the one I feel should have won the Oscar (animated short, 2002). As superlative as all the others were (I saw them at the Academy after the awards), this original movie about talking rocks is the best. We didn't really know what to expect as it started. Stop-motion rocks, how good could it be? (slight spoilers) We notice that everything around them seems to be moving very fast, since they are moving very slowly - groves of trees spring up and fall down, etc. OK, could be interesting. Then our hero throws an acorn at another rock sitting across the way, and naturally a tree pops up as soon as it hits the earth, knocking the poor guy over. Hilarious! That light humor weaves in with a very wide-scope look at humanity's development, and leaves you wondering just who is better off in the end. We all thought it was over, and then one last line was spoken. Perfection! I laughed harder at "Mike's New Car," but this one has comedy mixed with originality and just a little bit of philosophy. If you ever have a chance to see this gem, jump on it.
AD
