Abiogenesis

It's an idea, nothing more. Little piece of visual art, for the life and its origins

The tools for creating visual effects have improved significantly over the past 10 years, and these days it's becoming difficult to distinguish animation from reality. Watching this animated short film from 2011 in 2025, I'd say it had stunning visuals for its time, but by today's standards, the quality is just okay. Then again, let's not forget it's been almost 15 years since its release. On the other hand, the story has aged much better. We follow a space probe landing on a desolate, lifeless planet, and eventually, the film turns into a retelling of The Tree of Life - a classic myth found in many ancient cultures on Earth. Pretty nice work!

The deeper theme of this short film seems to me the joy of creation. It plays magnificently with transformations of mechanical and biological forms.

It tells a story about seeding (or supporting) lifeforms on a barren planet. So, I have to disagree with the previous reviewers, that there is no story. What do you expect to see, before you label something a story - talking faces??

At several points in the film I ask myself: Could this be possible? From a chemical/biological standpoint I have to say "no, that's not how it works". Nevertheless, the visual ideas are inspiring and the sound is equally good!

I have been going to the theater on a pilgrimage for quite a few years now each January-February to see the annual showings of the Best Animated and Best Live Action Shorts. I am lucky enough to live in one of the few places in the country that shows it each year. And, along with the nominated films, they usually show several commended films--animated films which didn't make the final cut but which are well worth seeing.

"Abiogenesis" is unusual in that it comes from New Zealand. You don't normally see animated films from this country in these special showings--and after seeing this film I sure hope we see more. That's because the animation is really breathtaking--and possibly better than the nominated films in this department. However, there isn't much in the way of story. So, while interesting, it's much more a film you see for the artistry than for the story. But, when they look this good, I say see this film!!

'ABIOGENESIS': Two and a Half Stars (Out of Five)

This 5 minute New Zealand animated short was screened with the 2013 Oscar nominated animated shorts in theaters and billed as 'highly commended'. It's a science fiction tale directed by Richard Mans and tells the story of a machine that lands on a lifeless planet and brings it it's first life. The animation is beautiful but the story is almost nonexistent and there are no characters to speak of. You can get something almost this cool in a lot of video games nowadays. Still, it's pretty cool while you're watching it. Is it worth the 5 minutes? Sure. Is it something you'll remember? Probably not.

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