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That's how director and writer Brian Larsen describes the process of doing Smash and Grab. Those feelings of monotony, lack of accomplishment, and eventual freedom can be transposed to the feelings of the two titular robots on this Pixar short film; the second from their SparkShorts initiative.
Smash and Grab follows the titular robots, who are forced to continuously work inside the engine of a futuristic train, all while being tethered to the machine, unable to move freely and even "high five" themselves. However, much like Larsen did when making this short in order to "break free" and feel "fulfilled", Smash and Grab will try to find a way to do so.
I really enjoyed the creativity and animation from this short. The energy and pace of the short is good, and the futuristic/art deco look to the structures and the robots looks really cool. For how "robotic" they look, there's a charm to their interactions that makes it easy to root for them as they strive for freedom and breaking out from routine. So hey, if it worked for Smash and Grab, and it worked for Larsen, it should work for you.
Grade:
SMASH AND GRAB
(2019, Larsen)
(2019, Larsen)
"It was during a time when I felt tethered to things that I couldn’t fully crack at that moment in time in my life, things I couldn’t quite accomplish. Doing SparkShorts allowed me to break free, and it fulfilled me."
That's how director and writer Brian Larsen describes the process of doing Smash and Grab. Those feelings of monotony, lack of accomplishment, and eventual freedom can be transposed to the feelings of the two titular robots on this Pixar short film; the second from their SparkShorts initiative.
Smash and Grab follows the titular robots, who are forced to continuously work inside the engine of a futuristic train, all while being tethered to the machine, unable to move freely and even "high five" themselves. However, much like Larsen did when making this short in order to "break free" and feel "fulfilled", Smash and Grab will try to find a way to do so.
I really enjoyed the creativity and animation from this short. The energy and pace of the short is good, and the futuristic/art deco look to the structures and the robots looks really cool. For how "robotic" they look, there's a charm to their interactions that makes it easy to root for them as they strive for freedom and breaking out from routine. So hey, if it worked for Smash and Grab, and it worked for Larsen, it should work for you.
Grade: