Exactly the sort of kid-in-a-candy-store experience you'd expect.
Shorts (2009)
Tomatometer
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Reviews Counted:86
Fresh:39
Rotten:47
Average Rating:5.3/10
Consensus: Shorts has imagination and energy, but most viewers beyond elementary school will likely tire of the kiddie humor and sensory overload.
Rated: PG [See Full Rating] for mild action and some rude humor.
Runtime: 89 mins
Genre: Science-Fiction/Fantasy
Theatrical Release:21-08-2009
Synopsis: Shorts is set in the suburb of Black Falls, where all the houses look the same and everyone works for BLACK BOX Unlimited Worldwide Industries Incorporated, whose Mr. Black’s BLACK BOX is the... Shorts is set in the suburb of Black Falls, where all the houses look the same and everyone works for BLACK BOX Unlimited Worldwide Industries Incorporated, whose Mr. Black’s BLACK BOX is the ultimate communication and do-it-all gadget that’s sweeping the nation. Other than keeping his parents employed, however, Mr. Black’s BLACK BOX has done nothing for 11-year-old Toe Thompson, who just wants to make a few friends…until a mysterious rainbow-colored rock falls from the sky, hits him in the head and changes everything. The Rainbow Rock does Mr. Black’s BLACK BOX one better: it grants wishes to anyone who holds it. Before long, wishes-gone-wrong have left the neighborhood swarming with tiny spaceships, crocodile armies, giant boogers…and outrageous magical mayhem around every corner. But it’s not until the grown-ups get their hands on the Rock that the trouble really starts. Now Toe and his newfound friends must join forces to save their town from itself, discovering along the way that what you wish for is not always what you want. --© Warner Bros [More]
Starring: Jon Cryer, William H. Macy, Leslie Mann, James Spader
Starring: Jon Cryer, William H. Macy, Leslie Mann, James Spader, Jimmy Bennett, Kat Dennings, Trevor Gagnon, Leo Howard, Devon Gearhart, Rebel Rodriguez, Jake Short, Jolie Vanier
Director: Robert Rodriguez
Director: Robert Rodriguez
Screenwriter: Robert Rodriguez
Producer: Robert Rodriguez, Elizabeth Avellan
Composer: Robert Rodriguez, Carl Thiel, George Oldziey
Studio: Warner Bros.
Reviews for Shorts
Dives straight into whiz-bang gizmoland, opting for “pause, rewind” flourishes. Cute and enjoyable family fare, then, if a little forced.
Although it's a film that's constructed around wish-fulfilment gone awry and a series of madcap chases, Shorts also has a heart. Rodriguez's best kids film yet.
In the Disneyfied dumbed-down marketplace for kids' films, there's something daring and even refreshing in a movie which messes with conventional narrative. If only it wasn't so frantic.
The special effects aren’t up to scratch and the scrappy, episodic conceit detracts rather than enhances.
Shorts is too lazy and telegraphed to be classed as a good children's film and not smart enough to keep grown-ups engaged for its duration.
Kids will love this because it speaks directly to them, never patronises with crass product placement and also sends out a rather touching message that what really matters are friends…not mobile phone applications.
A chaotic, hyperactive, sugar-rush of a film with special effects that appear quaintly hand-knitted and low-tech.
So structurally complicated that it almost qualifies as an experimental film and if it fails — as it does — it would be uncharitable to condemn Rodriguez for that.
You can’t fault the film’s exuberance, but it’s draggy in spots, with the grown-up cast outshone by Jolie Vanier’s little terror – nattily monikered Helvetica Black.
Gaudy, goofy and too busy for its own good. For every idea or sight gag that sticks, there’s 10 that don’t. Best for DVD, when you’ll be in control of the pause button.
At 89 minutes, even though the story is repetitive and the humour childish, there's no time to get bored. Five to ten year-olds will find it cool. Adults, less so.
Not only cheap looking and hard to follow, Shorts' big fault is that it's not funny - a major problem given it's meant to be a comedy.
It is saved by occasional moments of comedy and the special effects are outstanding. But they aren't enough to rescue this turkey.
From whirling mini-UFOs to giant animated nose bogeys, the screen is never still and the script never smart or engaging.
No denying his energy, but it's like the energy of a kid with attention deficit disorder: his stories can't settle on anything for more than a few minutes.
There’s more fun to be had from watching the various miracles on display than deciphering the story, or wondering why William H Macy and James Spader took bit parts in it.
Patchy but likeable children's fantasy adventure, thanks to a solid cast, an imaginative script and some nice ideas.
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