The Creation

This short, an adaptation of a piece by James Weldon Johnson entitled The Creation, is a considerably different look from Will Vinton's traditional Claymation style. It's more a 2-D style, with animation by Joan C. Gratz and narration by James Earl Jones. An absolutely entrancing and compelling work, this was nominated for an Academy Award for Animated Short and deserved the nod. A beautifully designed and animated piece, having seen it makes me wish that I could find Mona Lisa Descending a Staircase, an animated short directed by Gratz which won the Academy Award more than a decade after the making of The Creation. For anyone who still thinks that animation is solely a medium for children (or that it should be), I would use this as an excellent example of what can be accomplished with animation, a fertile imagination and a love of your artform. The Creation can stand alongside other works of the Vinton Studios as well as the best of animation over the last century and hold its own. It has been released on VHS by the studio and copies can be found (at least one compilation, as well a release itself on a VHS cassette) with a little searching. Get the compilation, if you don't have much or any of Vinton's work-it's well worth the effort. Most highly recommended.

Based on a poem by James Weldon Johnson and narration by James Earl Jones, this does an outstanding job of presenting the myth of creation. Its colorful brushstrokes take us on a journey through the familiar Genesis story. If I have a criticism, I thought it should have gone a bit farther.

This is definitely worth watching. The movie is a philosophical exploration of the creation of the universe, as seen through the lens of existential inquiry. The movie is elevated by the legendary James Earl Jones, who narrates the film with all the gravitas he can muster. His voice is deep and powerful, adding a layer of depth to the already fascinating story being told.

But the real standout of "The Creation" is the animation. The film is an experimental work, and the animation is striking and original. The images are both beautiful and unnerving at the same time, which perfectly complements the philosophical themes of the movie. The animators have done an excellent job of creating a unique visual style that perfectly matches the story being told.