SPIKE AND MIKE'S SICK & TWISTED FESTIVAL OF ANIMATION 2005-06 — ** 1/2 — Compilation of animated shorts from around the world; not rated, probable R (vulgarity, violence, profanity, gore, drugs, sex, nudity, racial epithets).
Spike and Mike's "Sick & Twisted" animation compilations have grown predictable and stale, not just because of their calculated-to-shock moments but also because they've become so heavy on repeats.
This latest edition features nearly two-dozen short cartoons that are new to this unique "festival," but the quality is as hit-and-miss as ever. And, as always, the compilation lives up to its "sick & twisted" billing. (Most of the pieces are in questionable taste and feature strong violent, sexual and other content that may turn off the majority of animation fans.)
The 25 shorts range in length from a few scant seconds to the nine-minute "Save Virgil," and include a mix of traditional cel animation, computer-graphics and some live-action/animation hybrids (including "Save Virgil").
For those with strong stomachs, there are two new "Happy Tree Friends" shorts, including the disturbingly funny "Eyes Cold Lemonade," which finds the cutesy animal characters running an ill-fated lemonade stand.
And the cutesy animation of Canadian short "Pig & Bunny" belies its goofy naughtiness.
But the best of this bunch is still an oldie-but-a-goodie: Don Hertzfeldt's 2000 Academy Award-nominated "Rejected," about a series of cartoons he supposedly produced for the Learning Channel and a food manufacturer.
On the other hand, the drug-culture "Donkey Bong" is just weird.
And the makers of cult favorite "Here Comes Dr. Tran" have laid an egg with their latest.
And the television-advertisement parody "Roybertitos" goes on for nearly five minutes, which is much too long for a spoof of a 30-second ad.
"Spike and Mike's Sick & Twisted Festival of Animation 2005-06" is not rated but would probably receive an R for strong animated content, including crude sexual and bodily function humor, violence, sexual profanity and racial epithets, gore, drug content, sex and nudity. Running time: 80 minutes.
E-mail: jeff@desnews.com