The ChubbChubbs! (2002)

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.

The story of "The Chubbchubbs!" is a cute one, the animation is pretty solid and the voice-acting and singing aren't too shabby either, but somehow something was missing to make this slightly-under-six-minute short film really memorable for me. I have to say I am a bit surprised this actually ended up winning the Oscar for best animated short film in a year that had competition from Japan, Poland, Germany and Pixar's Monster movie franchise. Maybe they really liked these little chicken-like creatures or the Star Wars reference. However, I thought the whole foreign planet idea or the constant crashing of the main character into the bar singer was just executed in a rather shoddy fashion and never really had me on the top of my seat. I'd only recommend this one to animation lovers. Everybody else is not missing too much.

This short movie won the makers the Best Short Animation Oscar in 2003. I agree with it. This is a funny, beautiful and unique story with merry songs. The main character is a tender alien who likes singing a song and longs in be a singer. However, it does not seem to come true. One day, big enemies attacked the town, what does he do then? In the film, there are various unique and cute aliens including Yoda who is in a StarWars. So, the person who love alien like me may really enjoy it. In addition, I also like the music. Their singing and dancing are strange and funny, but very cute. However, I don't recommend watching for young children. It's totally cute, but the scenes of the fight are too frightened. If you are not too easily scared, you should watch right now and then go to karaoke! It's only 5 minutes and their visuals and music are fantastic!

This little charming short is found on the DVD of Surf's Up. It's got great animation, and the designs are marvelous. The running time is a mere 5 minutes, with credits, and it's well-paced. Editing and cinematography are excellent. The simple story allows the audience to immediately get into it, and it manages to reference numerous sci-fi classics(and while knowledge of them will enhance your appreciation of this, it is in no way necessary) in very little time. This has humor that people of all ages can enjoy, and it isn't so completely geared at children(meanwhile, there's no such thing as being too young for this) that it feels insulting to the intelligence for anyone over the age of 7. The timing is spot-on, and every joke and gag works. This is well-cast, and every voice acting performance is flawless. In general, everything in this sounds exactly right, and the music is great, original and otherwise. Apart from arguably cartoon violence, there is nothing offensive in this, and certainly nothing that the kids will(well, should, anyway) understand yet. I recommend this to everyone. 8/10