Very well executed

Am I Missing Something?

At first rather annoying in its heavy emphasis on reenactments, this movie ultimately proves fascinating, simply because the complicated, highly dramatic tale it tells still almost defies belief.

The thing I enjoyed most about the film is the fact that it doesn't shy away from being a super-sized-cliche;

Catching up on the Oscar-nominated shorts from last year brought me to watch this film which is on Vimeo (I assume unauthorized). It is a surprising film to find in the pack for the Academy Award – I have not yet seen all of those nominated, but for sure this is by far the weakest I have seen from the pack. The plot sees a young boy watching his superhero cartoons while his father does his morning prayers. Forced to join in, the boy retreats into a fictional world where the gods are superheroes fighting to protect him. The name of the character is the same as the director/writer, and the end credits suggest it is based on real personal experience.This is the bit that surprised me the most, because if the film is so personal, why does it have almost no heart. Technically it is all well and good, with typically impressive animation from Pixar, but there is nothing really beyond this and the movement. The narrative is very simple and it delivers its idea but doesn't draw us into the characters or make us feel for them. Without comparing it to other films, and looking at it on its own merits this is true, but to put it alongside World of Tomorrow or Bear Story only highlights this weakness further. We don't make a connection with the boy or his father in the film, nor is there a real sense of danger or wonder in the action section – so when we come together in shared understanding at the end, it doesn't have any impact other than being very functional along the same lines.The animation is slick and professional of course, but otherwise there is really very little to the content of the short and it left me cold. The only reason it even stuck in my mind was that I kept pondering how it had gotten into the final pack of shorts up for an Oscar.

Sanjay's Super Team (2015) *** (out of 4) Mildly entertaining short from Pixar about a young boy named Sanjay who wants to watch his superheroes on television but his father demands that he join him in meditation. Soon the boy's fantasy takes form as he joins his superheroes in battle.I must admit that I'm a little surprised that SANJAY'S SUPER TEAM was nominated for an Oscar. Well, I guess I shouldn't be surprised since it's from Pixar but I really didn't think this was among their best work. I will say that the animation is certainly the greatest thing going for the film as we get some amazing visuals and especially the colors on the three Hindu gods. The story itself is okay but I really didn't find it to be too special.

As parents we are careful to consider the content of the movies that our Children are exposed to. I strongly object to how parents have no warning about what their children are about to be subjected to. I do not consent to my young children's mind being infiltrated with false gods and frightening imagery. My wife had to leave the cinema as our soon to be 2 year old daughter was distressed (as were we!!). My 4 year old son buried his head into the chair as I covered his eyes and tried to protect him from the disturbing voices and images. This is completely unacceptable to take away the rights of the parents. The 'feature' was clearly slipped in just before the movies appearing to be the start of the actual movie we wanted to see. My wife looked at me in shock with what was being portrayed and asked is this part of the movie. Clearly trickery to get peoples guard down and seize the opportunity of a captive audience. I was uncomfortable with the aggressive attempt to force my children to accept this as cool and somehow relevant to them. It is not! And if this was in the movie we paid to see we would have simply walked out. Very concerned about these practices! How dare they?!! I can't fathom how this is okay?!! It seems to be to the point where we can't trust our own screening through watching previews.

I love this animated Disney/Pixar short called because I love the plot. This short film is about the director, Sanjay Patel's childhood and how he has a conflict between doing what he likes and his father's traditions. I like this film because it has a nice message – "Traditions may seem boring at times until you take the time to learn about them." You can find ways to incorporate what you like and still keep your family traditions. You will see that it can be fun to do what your parents want to do with you.I think many people will relate to this film. My favorite part of the film is when Sanjay imagines himself inside his Dad's cabinet where he is small and these heroes save him.I give this film 5 out of 5 stars and recommend it to ages 5 to 18. I think adults might like it as well. Some of these scenes might be intense for kids ages under the age of 4. I recommend this to people who like family and adventure shorts. This short will play prior to the new Disney/Pixar film, The Good Dinosaur which opens nationwide in November, 2015. Reviewed by Ryan R., KIDS FIRST! Film Critic.