KRYSAR is a wonderfully dark, adult version of THE PIED PIPER, brought to life through stark, expressionistic, stop-motion animation.
In keeping with the original tale, the gluttonous, greed-driven townsfolk have a bit of a rat problem. These rodents are presented as dog-sized beasts, scurrying about, stealing anything they can snatch.
Director Jiri Barta has created a macabre, surreal world that is striking and bleak. Its jagged structures are gothic (check out those gargoyles!) and labyrinthine, providing plenty of places for the rats to hide. The people are very angular, somewhat robotic forms, that range from comical to frightening. The rats are the true stars, and are given ample opportunity to show what they can do to cause mayhem. It's obvious that a lot of time and effort went into this masterpiece!
The titular Piper is a mysterious, cloaked figure who arrives like a great wizard or an avenging specter.
Special mention must be made of the bizarre musical soundtrack, especially toward the end. As odd as it is, it fits the action perfectly.
This works because it's a fantasy that plays like a horror film. Highly recommended...
