Ryan

I bought a ticket for the Sundance animated short program thinking that I will see the usual rehashed animated fare. Boy, was I wrong. But as good and creative as the other shorts were, Ryan stood way out.

It is something truly original, not just because it is a computer animated documentary, but also because of the truly inventive use of the capabilities of CGI animation. The movie tells Ryan Larkin's life story in a concise but very touching way. I promise it will be the perfect roller-coaster ride, it will make you happy and sad, and it will make you think. And it will also make you stare at the gorgeous imagery.

I doubt you can find a better way to spend 14 minutes of your life.

'Ryan' is a truly beautiful film in many respects. First the visual look of the film is high art. Beyond the composition and the colors, there is so much visual information going on that as a viewer you feel like you are getting a secret peek into another realm, where people wear the experiences that pilfer their soul. Secondly, there is something very beautiful about the film's ancestry and pedigree. The film showcases the talented Ryan Larkin and his animation in a way that both honors the art of animation but also shows the growth of the genre. Thirdly the film depicts and encapsulates the sacrifice that artists face and struggle to passionately create their art and walk down a path that is so very much less traveled.

'Ryan' a beautiful film deserves its honors and praise.

documentary. homage. and fascinating use of CGI for a story who deserves it. because it is more than the concise, precise, touching and bitter story of Ryan Larkin. it is a wise and provocative film. because it is a special way for discover an artist and his universe. remembering the flavor of bohemian life style, the cultural revolutions of XX century. and the taste of freedom.

"Ryan" deserves ever accolade it has received and more. It illuminates. It shines a light on a piece of animation history while putting it into the greater context of one animator's creative journey. It is that rare example of a true animated documentary, using the form to better tell the story, enhancing it. Utilizing the fanciful to better tell the truth.

It has recently become available on DVD for five dollars at www.Filmporium.com. I highly recommend adding this academy-award winner to your library. This is one film that not holds up to, but rewards repeated viewing. The DVD also contains Bill Plympton's "Eat" and the circle-of-life short "Flux" by Chris Hinton.

"Ryan" is an animated short story movie which shows us Chris Landreth who introduces himself to us and then he makes something like an intervention to Ryan Larkin. Ryan Larkin was a very popular animator in the 1960s and early 1970s who unfortunately became an alcoholic and he lost his mind because of some things that happened in his life.

We also see Felicity Fanjoy his big love in the best periods of his life and Derek Lamb who was his producer. The movie takes place in a restroom or something like a restaurant and we can observer that in there all the people who are there are homeless and had some issues.

Finally we follow Ryan Larkin to the streets where he is begging for some money, and I think that was the most sadly moment of this movie.