Clearwater

Here is a 6-minute horror short that left me wanting more. There are some great computer generated sequences and some nice special effects. I thought it was pretty effective. I wouldn't be surprised if someone ends up talking to the director about turning it into a full length movie, because this doesn't just look good, it has something interesting going on.

Like many others have mentioned, the visuals in this short film are exceptionally high quality. They're probably among the best I've seen in short films. I was mesmerized by the special effects, and the scenery was absolutely stunning. The cinematography is excellent and gives off the vibe of a full-feature film with a decent budget, rather than just a random short.

One thing that came as a surprise was the film's horror genre. I didn't expect it, but it was a pleasant surprise. The origin of the strange, otherworldly creature remains undisclosed-is it an alien from another planet or something native to Earth? We'll probably never know. Still, the quality and detail of the creature were just amazing.

To be honest, I would definitely watch it if this were ever expanded into a full-length movie.

The CGI is superb for a short story. I think it would put some full feature film animators to shame. My one question is with the story. Shouldn't the clone have been an infant girl instead of a full adult? I'm assuming the clone was made from DNA in the bloodmeal inside the mosquito. Nevertheless, job well done. I'd love to see these animators tackle full feature films.

There's not a lot going on in 'Clearwater,' but of the content on hand, it's worth further consideration.

First we see the surrounding area - the deep forest, and the small river that runs through it. The shots captured to show us the setting are quite fine, and it's a beautiful landscape.

Second we're introduced to the sole character, an unnamed woman venturing to a spot alongside the river to sunbathe. Actress Joan LoLuo isn't particularly given anything to do here except look pretty and eventually express concern. Normally I'd find this bothersome, but to be fair, LoLuo isn't the star of 'Clearwater,' anyway.

The third, most important, and most prominent element of the short are the visual effects and animation. We get a small taste of the computer-generated imagery with close-up visualization of a mosquito biting the woman and partaking of her blood. What happens next, though, is the real centerpiece, as the insect has a purpose beyond mere sustenance. The visuals look pretty great to these eyes - there's no mistaking that it's all crafted on a computer, but the graphics look as believably lifelike as they could. Bigger productions of years past, with larger budgets, have worked with less capable technology to convey similar ideas much less convincingly. Fantastical though the short is, the concept is presented as realistically as it could be. I'm impressed.

On the other hand, my major critique is that the fourth and final element - the ending - feels pedestrian. I'd stop short of calling it a jump scare, but the intent is much the same. It's a trope that's tiresome and gravely overused in general, and most of all in horror shorts. A similar narrative conclusion could have been imparted differently and better - less shock, more dread. Little cleverness is required to improve on an idea that's become a cliché.

Still, despite the letdown of the final seconds, 'Clearwater' is very well made. If it feels incomplete, it's only because one easily imagines a larger story that could be conjured from these 6 quick minutes - one that I certainly wouldn't mind seeing. Writer-director Rob Jabbaz also had his hands in creating the visual effects and animation, it seems, and as such he has my commendations. While 'Clearwater' isn't perfect, the core is solid and inventive - and worth a scant few minutes of our time.

A pretty young woman is sunbathing in a gorgeous secluded spot. As she dozes, she is bitten by a mosquito. He blood is transported to a really ugly entity and eventually transforms. It's interesting to see the special effects dealing with the transformation.