Grasshopper

In much the same way as several generations have discovered Chuck Berry by first hearing the Rolling Stones or the Sex Pistols, many will, having enjoyed A Scanner Darkly, be moved to discover this gem, which being only 14 minutes long and featuring some guy you've never heard of speaking great wisdom straight to camera instead of Stars jumping and running, has never been given major distribution. It's an unbeatable combination of intelligence and mildly psychedelic animation, changing style and artist several times throughout its brief life. Not surprisingly, the director is the head animator in 'Scanner'. It gets better the second time, and if there is a DVD I would advise sticking it on repeat. CLIFF HANLEY