Technological Threat

TECHNOLOGICAL THREAT was nominated for the Oscar for Best Animated Short Film in 1989. While of the three films nominated it was probably my least favorite, it still is fun and worth a look.

When the film begins, you can't help but notice the odd style that looks like it was inspired by the Tex Avery films at MGM and I'm sure that this was intentional. However, the style is updated by making it look like a cartoon version of a computer generated film--with that CGI look and movement. While all this is interesting, what really stands out in the film is the comedic touch and wackiness of it all. It's simple and funny--and that's fine with me.

Automation is at the center of this film. The workers, who are Tex Avery type wolves, work under the threat of a ruthless boss. If they sneeze or look away for even a second, they lose their jobs. But one is left and faces the replacements, stark robots who work tirelessly. Nice little feature with predictable results.

This short was nominated for the Academy Award. All too frequently, one hears that something was done "in the tradition of..." or "In the style of..." and it usually is not a flattering comparison. This short is an exception. I had seen comments comparing this favorably to the work of Tex Avery and was not sure what to expect. Lo and behold, it is in, fact, a short that is chiefly sight gag after sight gag, fired rapidly at the audience without pause. Plotting is basic and second to the gags and the ending is vintage Avery. The first time I watched this, I was too busy laughing to make comparisons, but this is a short that could easily fit into the Avery shorts with nary a raised eyebrow and hold it's own with the best that remarkable talent produced. It's a fantastic piece and a good thing that it's in print. It can also be found on The World's Greatest Animation and is more than worth the effort to get. A great cartoon! Most highly recommended!

A Tex Avery style wolf tries to keep his office job in the face of mechanical modernization. The short is a blend of traditional cel animation and computer wire-frame animation. A must-see for fans of animation in general and an excellent stylistic tribute to the influence of Tex.