Cryptozoo

To put it simply, when one uses intentionally naïve style of drawing. Combined with a story that sounds as if it was written during the 60s by an ardent hippie and then has the voice actors performing their roles as seriously as they can without a shred of a smile - it doesn't work well together. The audience I was watching it with reacted with laughter though no joke has been told, I was cringing in my chair with embarrassment. I'm sure the film creators didn't aim for either but that's what they got.

Cryptozoo is an oddly-animated feature that rambles along like it was a storybook adventure crafted in the Seventies - when details were blurred in a haze and stories for children were not always safe.

Honestly, Cryptozoo accomplishes the goal of any good fantasy and science fiction story by crafting a timely tale set in a timeless fashion. Unfortunately the chosen medium and distinct art style highly restricts what should be a tale of openness and inclusion.

Animation is, theoretically, budgetless. The artist can sculpt and paint and render imaginative, unseen worlds and bring them to life. Why then does Cryptozoo look like flipbook doodles on the corners of a Dungeons & Dragons module?

The animation is certainly an acquired taste. Fortunately, its rudimentary style does not totally diminish the compelling story of social relevance. Fiction like this is what opens conversation regarding the importance of freedom and the rights of all. Including animators with questionable art styles.

Cryptozoo is one that fascinated me even before watching. Cryptozookeepers try to capture a Baku, a dream-eating hybrid creature of legend, and start wondering if they should display these beasts or keep them hidden and unknown. The movie is entirely animated in an interesting style in a way the story couldn't be told any other way. As creative as an idea Crytozoo may be, the final product didn't always work out the way it should. Of course, the animation is the stand-out of it all. It's very unique and has moments that are just beautiful. Specifically the end of the second act and most of the third happen to be the most interesting visually and story-wise. Most of the movie is based on how strange it is so we lose the characters and why the stakes are so high. One character named Phoebe is the only one that I really connected with. She's a cryptid so we get her point of view on the subject. There are many themes of zoos and animal cruelty which is a good aspect to think about. Also, symbolism and ideas from well know stories - like Adam and Eve - are prevalent throughout. Even though the most striking aspect of the movie is animation, I wonder if the animation were "better animated" the effect would be different in some cases, but that really isn't an issue. This is quite an entertaining watch solely based on curiosity of it all. Most people are divided on this, but it seems they like it more than they didn't like it. I will revisit this in the future to see if the feeling is still the same. Overall, it's alright but should've been better.

Charmingly bizarre and utterly unique. This film is not for everyone. But what I appreciate about this film is that is pushes the boundaries on cinema, it preservers the voice of the filmmaker rather than peddle to market expectations.

It's also a commendable animation feat considering the small crew and budget. Hopefully it will help pave the way for more independent artists to express themselves in the future.

Cryptozoo is a zoo where cryptids are being secretly held. Lauren Grey is one of the cryptozoologists. It's 60's San Francisco. A young couple stumbles upon the zoo. The guy Mathew is killed by an unicorn. Amber is forced to kill the unicorn.

This adult animation is unlike anything in the mainstream. It very much reminds me of the outsider art of the 70's. It is a bit chaotic to the point of overwhelming the audience. This is not animation for the kids. It is the best aspect of this film. I would suggest a more cleaner and clearer story. It may be the effect of the visuals which is discombobulating my brain.