Humdrum

'Humdrum', spurned out by a UK animation studio more famous for its stop-motion work, is a creative and offbeat little animated film that delivers pure unadulterated entertainment in all seven minutes of its running time.

As with most Aardman films, the definite appeal lies in their ability to take such strikingly simple concepts, attach a slight twist and turn it into something which is utterly compelling in its own unique way. In this case, we have two shadow puppets (both with Scottish accents) making shadow puppets of their own in an effort to while away a particularly dreary afternoon, one them growing increasingly irate in the process. A concept which in itself is both unsettling and hilarious. The action is all rendered by projecting shadows onto a grainy backdrop (fittingly reflective of the film's somewhat uncertain atmosphere); I had my doubts as to just how well this work in practice, but the two central characters themselves are surprisingly vivid and expressive, and in no way restrained by this technique. In spite of its somewhat freaky premise, it remains light-hearted and pleasing throughout, the humour being quirky, wry and neatly character-driven. The brace of voice-overs from Jack Docherty and Moray Hunter is also great.

A lot of viewers have noted the film's high levels of self-awareness, as the characters comment on the absurdity of finding shadows in the least bit entertaining. Upfront self-awareness, as always, is a pretty hit-or-miss line of humour, but in this case I think it serves its purpose. In many ways, 'Humdrum' can be taken as a commentary on the increasingly insistent weirdness found in so many experimental animated shorts today, while still managing to be a brilliant example of one itself, and promoting an animation style that is both innovative and impressive. It's also nicely scripted, with lots of sharp lines and inspired set-pieces (including an amusing sequence demonstrating that radio is, in the words of the more pessimistic shadow 'all the same rubbish these days'), and, above all, an especially clever final 'punch-line' that rounds the routine off perfectly and ultimately makes this wonderful short such rewarding viewing.

Alongside 'Creature Comforts' and the extremely underrated 'Going Equipped', this is definitely one of Aardman's best - strange, freakish, but very, very excellent. And you gotta love that closing moment.

Grade: A

Some strange creatures are stuck together at a table and are bored to death. One is extremely cynical and impatient; the other is just stupid--I think. They try to play game but have limited resources. They just complain loudly. One makes suggestions and the other shoots them down. Eventually they resort to shadow puppets, but that requires one of them to have an ounce of knowledge. Great fun.

This short animation appears to have been done by casting shadows of cutout characters onto various backgrounds. It's the story of a couple of brit slacker/losers with nothing to do on an afternoon. One of them gets the idea to play "handshadows". The actors who did the character voices were brilliant and that combined with the innovative animation technique make for a very nice film.

This short film revolves around a couple of characters who are bored and want something to do . How about a game of chess ? Unfortunately one of the characters has eaten the pieces so that's that idea extinguished . How about a game of shadow puppets ? Oh a great idea as we get some abstract shapes against a wall . What on earth is that supposed to be ? MOOOOOOOOOOOOO Oh it must be a cow

It's at this point that I should explain that the two characters featured are themselves shadow puppets ! I guess this is why some reviewers claim HUMDRUM is somewhat knowing , that it is almost post modernist and maybe it is and in no way is that a criticism but I was slightly disappointed by this effort from the Aardmann studios probably because the story itself is very slight and can be accurately described in my first paragraph . It is very inoffensive but at the same time very threadbare at only seven minutes

Nominated for the 1999 Academy Award for Best Animated Short Film, Humdrum is the tale of two bored shadow puppets who play charades on an afternoon. I don't know if this has been released to video or not but the subtle British comedy should be appreciated by everyone of all ages.