Sanjay's Super Team

'SANJAY'S SUPER TEAM': Three and a Half Stars (Out of Five)

A 7 minute Pixar animated short film; which accompanied 'THE GOOD DINOSAUR' in theaters. It tells the story of an Indian boy, who imagines the Hindu gods (his father has taught him to believe in), as mighty superheroes. It was directed by veteran animator, turned director, Sanjay Patel. Patel used his own childhood, growing up as an Indian immigrant (in 1980s San Bernardino), as inspiration for the short. I found the film to be amusing, slightly emotional and full of decent animation. It's also a great, thoughtful idea for a kids' cartoon short. It doesn't quite have that magical touch though; that Pixar's greats do. 'SANJAY'S SUPER TEAM' is definitely a well made short, but it's not spectacular.

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This is a touching story of intergenerational conflict, and how the modern world can leave tradition behind. It is smartly observed about father and sons. It is also very colorful and has a slight Bollywood vibe. But some of it is obscure and esoteric. I am unsure what the super team tracks within Hinduism or with another piece of media.

"Sanjay's Super Team" (United States, 7 min.) – Probably the most widely seen of these five Oscar nominees, this animated short played in American theaters as a featurette before showings of "The Good Dinosaur". It's about a young Indian boy who's watching his favorite superhero cartoon when his father turns off the TV and brings the boy over to join him in prayer to the Hindu gods. As his dad prays, Sanjay daydreams a story in which the Hindu gods are superheroes. The story is based on the childhood of the film's director, Pixar animator Sanjay Patel. The film is a creative, colorful and entertaining meditation on the generation gap between fathers and sons and how that gap might be bridged. "A-"

This delivers everything we expect from a Pixar short. It's clever, funny, has something to say, the music and sound design are on point and the animation is amazing. This one focuses on superheroics and the contrast between those and real life.

While the kid really wants to watch Saturday morning cartoons his father believes it is important for them to hold on to his own faith in Hinduism which he wants to spread to his son. This is a conflict common to modern life. Old and new. I felt like they did a really great job exploring it here. I love seeing one of these not the so focused on white people. Recommended. 7/10.

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.