The Cow Who Wanted to Be a Hamburger

A few months ago, I had the chance to meet Bill Plympton and learned about this film--which he was hyping at the ComicCon convention in New York. I'm sure he wouldn't remember me if he saw me again, but I was thrilled--he was the best thing about this event! I've seen practically everything available that he's done and I left with a couple of his latest DVDs and a drawing of the dog who starred in the "Guard/Guide/Hot Dog trilogy". All in all, it was a very good day. So, when I saw that "The Cow Who Wanted to Be a Hamburger" was included as a 'film of merit' along with the Academy Award-nominated films this year, I was thrilled.

Now despite being a huge Plympton fan, I must admit that this is not among my favorite of his films. I think the biggest thing that struck me was the style--very different from his more traditional penciled style. Instead, lots of intense primary and secondary colors fill in the backgrounds and characters. Additionally, there is a shaky quality to the film that is a bit disconcerting. It's not bad--just not as easy on the eyes as his other work.

As for the story, it's sick--and I like that. It begins with a calf looking at a billboard advertising burgers. Inexplicably, the little cow decides then and there that he, too, wants to become a burger! And, when the people from the burger plant come to round up the cows for a trip to the slaughterhouse, the calf is sad that they reject him! It's weird...and gets weirder. Just watch this weird thing--and be sure to watch the cute credits as well.

As for the story, I'd give it an 8 and the animation a 6--for an overall score of 7.

'THE COW WHO WANTED TO BE A HAMBURGER': Three Stars (Out of Five)

A six minute animated short film about a cow who wanted to be a hamburger (just like the title says). It deals with the evils of advertising, the wrongs of mass production of beef and the love of a caring mother. It was written and directed by popular animator Bill Plympton (a plymptoon as his animated projects are known) and is done in a very poor but charming animation style. The film was one of the 'ten pre-selected short animated films for the 2011 Oscars' (It didn't receive an official nomination but it does air with the Oscar nominated animated short films in their current theatrical run). The film is funny and has positive messages to teach. It's a bit simplistic and the animation is obviously nothing pleasing to look at but it is entertaining and has a nice quirky style to it.

Watch our review show 'MOVIE TALK' at: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=CBqNUf10kuk

As usual with the works of Bill Plympton, the script is sophisticated and witty as a calf decides he wants to be the best hamburger in the world and works hard towards that goal -- at least until he becomes aware of the consequences. There is a lovely soundtrack that goes with this film and the sound effects are exceptional. If you see it -- and you should -- stick around for the funny credits.

The one issue I have with this Plymptoon -- as Mr. Plympton calls his work -- is that it basically a quarter animated and the sense of movement is eked out by essentially jiggling the frame. I know that Mr. Plympton can not afford the sort of full animation today that Disney could in 1946, and he does make a virtue of this necessity, but I wish someone would give him enough of a budget to fully animate one of his pieces.