Again and again, Pixar films has produced the very best in cutting-edge shorts using computer generated animation. The quality is top-notch and the writing exceptional--so good that for the worst of these short films I'd give them perhaps an 8. The problem, however, is that the films are so good, so consistently great that I think the Academy Awards folks are reticent to give this studio the Oscar for Best Animated Short--otherwise, smaller and less prestigious studios might feel left out and not even bother entering since Pixar would take home most of the awards. I have noticed that their films don't seem to win like they used to and in a few cases (such as KNICK KNACK) they weren't even nominated--even though, to me, they seemed to be producing the best shorts. They are consistently very funny and the most technologically challenging product out there.
Now it is very difficult to assess whether or not the wonderful ONE-MAN BAND was yet another case like this because although I have seen this film, the winner (THE MOON AND THE SON) is difficult to find and isn't available anywhere on the internet. I'm not even sure where I can get this HBO produced short. All I can say is that ONE-MAN BAND looks near-perfect, has tremendous set and character design and will make you laugh even though it is dialog-free. A truly exceptional and charming film.
Now it is very difficult to assess whether or not the wonderful ONE-MAN BAND was yet another case like this because although I have seen this film, the winner (THE MOON AND THE SON) is difficult to find and isn't available anywhere on the internet. I'm not even sure where I can get this HBO produced short. All I can say is that ONE-MAN BAND looks near-perfect, has tremendous set and character design and will make you laugh even though it is dialog-free. A truly exceptional and charming film.