At least a dozen of the nearly 20 shorts presented as part of "The Animation Show" have been seen in other, similar programs. Some of them quite recently.
Still, several do cry out for repeat viewings. And even those that don't — as usual, this is a wildly mixed package with a number of shorts that appeal to everyone — are at least worth one look. (Also, it should be noted that this is a collection of animated works is definitely not for all ages; there is content here that would probably earn this unrated program an R rating.)
Among the highlights:
The dazzling "Mars and Beyond," restored "excerpts" from a 1957 animated piece that was originally done for "The Wonderful World of Disney" television program.
"Strange Invaders," a 2002 Oscar nominee about a couple that adopts an extraterrestrial visitor and lives to regret that decision.
"Parking," the latest from animator Bill Plympton, about a life-and-death struggle between a parking lot attendant and a weed growing in his lot.
Tim Burton's "Vincent," a typically macabre, short 1982 tribute (of sorts) to the late Vincent Price (who provides the narration).
Admittedly, there are a couple of clunkers, including the inexplicably popular "Ricardo" clay-animated pieces. And "Ident" may be the worst thing ever produced by the Aardman Animation studios.
The film's programmers are animators-in-their-own-right Don Hertzfeldt and Mike Judge, whose works are well-represented here:
— Hertzfeldt's "Billy's Balloon," about a balloon that attacks its owner, and "Rejected," his Oscar-nominated short about other short pieces he supposedly submitted to a cable-television station and as advertisements. Also, his introduction, intermission and closing shorts may be the funniest things in the entire program — especially "Intermission in the Third Dimension," a send-up of old 3-D movies.
— There is less material from Judge, but pencil tests include an "Office Space" short with cult-favorite Milton (voiced by Judge himself).
"The Animation Show" is not rated but would probably receive an R for animated violence (shootings, explosive mayhem and slapstick), crude humor and references to bodily and sexual functions, scattered use of mild profanity, gore, brief sex and brief nudity. Running time: 94 minutes.
E-MAIL: jeff@desnews.com