No matter what, the Animatrix delivers some really cool ideas and concepts, even though you might not always like the other elements it presents. World Record is interesting in its idea of breaking the Matrix, but it has a lot of elements going against it that raise it over other shorts. The animation style wasn't for me, some subpar voice acting and not really feeling the weight of the introduction all affected my overall reaction, but the premise alone makes me like it.
An athlete competing in running is about to experience what can happen in the Matrix.
I was not a big fan of the animation style. It was either too stiff or too moving. I found it not that pretty to look at, but it's probably more of a style thing. It just didn't speak to me.
Some of the voice acting isn't the best here either, with some very read performances.
I think the biggest letdown was my disinterest in the main character and his conflicts. They try to set up our main character a bit, but it never really got to me. Neither for having later sympathy nor the explanation to the twist.
But the concept is still amazing. Any idea that showcases the Matrix in a different light or with different aspects is amazing, and this is one of those shorts that really does that greatly.
World Record is such a mixed bag, but I need to still give my praise. The overall idea is so great, but the surrounding execution is what takes it down a peg or two, sadly.
