Don't Believe the Hype

It’s not bad or unwatchable but despite the amplitude of the spectacle, the end result is underwhelming.

All of these films share one commonality, that being a kind of emotional center that humanizes a cast of monsters.

Watching it is like watching the spectacle of a class clown at their best: you laugh at their jokes, instigate their defiance, and "ooooh" when they get in trouble.

...and a war. after 66 years late, it remains surprising, fresh and fascinating. not only for the mix of stop-motion and live-actin but for a sort of magic who escape from explanations. it is the film who reminds the feelings at the circus show from childhood. and that does it more than amusing. but a trip in time, discovering a real usefull lesson about friendship and the meanings of war. so, a flowe. and two men.

I have to say I don't mind Norman McLaren getting an Academy Award. I am generally not too big on his movies and that includes this one here, but he is sort of considered a legend in animation from the 20th century, so it's fine with me. That does not change, however, the way I perceived this short film here. It is in color, runs for 8 minutes and not only won the Academy Award, but was nominated in another category as well, something that is not possible today anymore, at least not for short movies. The entire film is about two men fighting for a flower which grows in their garden. First, the dispute is verbally, then it gets physical and in the end it is lethal. The story is too absurd for my taste already, which hurt my perception of this film and I felt that it dragged occasionally. Then again, this is the point as the actions by the two men are not human at all, but basically all special effects. One of the two was Grant Munro, a famous animation filmmaker himself and still alive in his 90s today. This short film from almost 65 years ago did not do a lot for me. Only worth a watch for those who want to see all short film winners from the Oscars. Everybody else is not missing much, even if this is maybe the most famous short film from the legendary NFB.

This films shows the stupidity of all war conflicts throughout human history in a minimalistic and symbolical way. The plot is quite basic - 2 neighbours live peacefully until an apple of discord in the form of beautiful flower appears. They fight over it eventually murdering their families and each other.I have no clue how this film got classified as a documentary.I have no clue how this film could have won an Oscar without the wife and children murder scene. If you throw away the rest of the short and just leave that scene without any backstory,it will touch you deeply in the heart.It captures the essence of war - terror,grief,pain. The pain of the non interfering observer.Despite simplicity of the visual means in this scene,the "language" is very grotesque and powerful,one can compare it to the the language of the Bible or Iliad,to the aesthetics of Greek sculpture.All in all it is a must see short,enjoy watching!

Neighbours is an amazing and sometimes vicious animated masterpiece.