The Chubbchubbs!

Chubbchubbs!, The (2003)

** 1/2 (out of 4)

Oscar-winning animated short has an alien working at an alien bar of all places where he dreams of becoming a singer. He hasn't any talent or a good voice but he finally gets his shot after something happens. Going into this film knowing it's an "Oscar-winner" is certain a burden as this thing isn't anything great and having that certain label put on it just makes people, such as myself, go into the film with much higher expectations. Once you get over the fact that it has an Oscar you're left with a mildly entertaining little film. I wouldn't call it a good one as I was never really caught up in the story going on and I can't even say it's the greatest short out there dealing with someone not having the greatest talent in the world. Where the short does work is in the color department as the visual style is quite impressive and the rainbow of sorts colors really jump out at you.

'The Chubbchubbs!' is a nice animated short that won the Oscar in its category. I have to admit it is pretty funny. There are a lot of references to science-fiction films. Obvious references are Darth Vader, Yoda and Jar Jar Binks from 'Star Wars' and we see E.T. in a bicycle. Harder to find but also there are references to 'Alien', 'The Day the Earth Stood Still' and 'Lost in Space'.

So the short is fun because you can spot the little references, but without those things it is quite good anyway. The animations are very well done, the story has a nice little twist and simply said, it is funny. Most animated short films have the biggest laugh in the end, 'The Chubbchubbs!' is no exception, but there are quite some good moments before that as well.

This short movie won the makers the Best Short Animation Oscar in 2003. I agree with it. This is a funny, beautiful and unique story with merry songs. The main character is a tender alien who likes singing a song and longs in be a singer. However, it does not seem to come true. One day, big enemies attacked the town, what does he do then? In the film, there are various unique and cute aliens including Yoda who is in a StarWars. So, the person who love alien like me may really enjoy it. In addition, I also like the music. Their singing and dancing are strange and funny, but very cute. However, I don't recommend watching for young children. It's totally cute, but the scenes of the fight are too frightened. If you are not too easily scared, you should watch right now and then go to karaoke! It's only 5 minutes and their visuals and music are fantastic!

The story is quite simple. A whole bunch of recognizable aliens are at a night club where a singer is belting out RESPECT. A janitor alien thinks he can sing. When the Chubbchubbs show up (monstrous giants with evil intent) the place is deserted, leaving our hero to confront them. But there is a surprise for these guys. It's visually fun and mostly predictable.

Meeper is a janitor in an alien nightclub. He dreams of being a singer though he is clearly not very good at all. When yet another clumsy accident occurs he is tossed from the club out on the ground. While there he notices a large cloud of dust approaching – the chubbchubbs! He tries to warn the nightclubbers, completely unaware that this may be his big break in show business.

I saw this film on the DVD for MIIB and wasn't sure what to expect or even if it was a spin off from the movie. I had heard of it's Oscar nomination at the time so assumed that it was either really good or that it had got well known off the back of the film. Watching it reveals it to be a nice little short – unassuming and perhaps slightly unworthy of the praise heaped on it (for content anyway) but still fun. The plot is very thin and is really only a setup for some amusing jokes. Most of them are good for kids but adults will enjoy them anyway.

The one thing that let me down was the fact that the film made fun of Jar-Jar Binks (an activity surely everyone supports) but only for 15 seconds! I wanted this mock Jar-Jar to be in it longer to be used better as a target! However Meeper is quite a cool little character and is amusing enough to carry the lead. The plot's thinness is a problem as it doesn't really have anywhere to go to justify the running time – it could easily have lost a minute and still done the same job. However these are minor quibbles.

Technically the short looks good and the animation is smooth and clever. It is funny without ever getting you in stitches like it could have done with a bit more work on the script and plot – it sort of plateau's instead of building. Overall this was a pleasant surprise on my DVD. I don't know if it is worth seeking out by itself but it is worth a watch if you get a chance.