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Shorts

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Shorts (2009)

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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.

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1 - 4 of 8

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Reviews for Shorts

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1 - 20 (sorted by date; UK critics are listed first)
Text View | 1 2 3 4 5 >> >|
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Exactly the sort of kid-in-a-candy-store experience you'd expect.

Full Review Source: SFX Magazine | comment Comment
09/14/09
Jon Hamblin
Jon Hamblin
SFX Magazine

Dives straight into whiz-bang gizmoland, opting for “pause, rewind” flourishes. Cute and enjoyable family fare, then, if a little forced.

Full Review Source: Empire Magazine | comment Comment
09/01/09
Ed Gibbs
Ed Gibbs
Empire Magazine
Top Critic Icon Top Critic

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.

Full Review Source: Channel 4 Film | comment Comment
08/24/09
Daniel Etherington
Daniel Etherington
Channel 4 Film
Top Critic Icon Top Critic

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.

Full Review Source: Guardian [UK] | comment Comment
08/24/09
Peter Bradshaw
Peter Bradshaw
Guardian [UK]
Top Critic Icon Top Critic

It’s like a pre-teen Pulp Fiction.

Full Review Source: Daily Telegraph | comment Comment
08/24/09
Tim Robey
Tim Robey
Daily Telegraph
Top Critic Icon Top Critic

The special effects aren’t up to scratch and the scrappy, episodic conceit detracts rather than enhances.

Full Review Source: Sunday Times (UK) | comment Comment
08/24/09
Rebecca Nicholson
Rebecca Nicholson
Sunday Times (UK)

A cute, special-effects comedy for easily pleased children.

Full Review Source: Observer [UK] | comment Comment
08/24/09
Philip French
Philip French
Observer [UK]

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.

Full Review Source: Digital Spy | comment Comment
08/24/09
Simon Reynolds
Simon Reynolds
Digital Spy

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.

Full Review Source: Sky Movies | comment Comment
08/24/09
Tim Evans
Tim Evans
Sky Movies

A chaotic, hyperactive, sugar-rush of a film with special effects that appear quaintly hand-knitted and low-tech.

Full Review Source: Daily Express | comment Comment
08/24/09
Allan Hunter
Allan Hunter
Daily Express

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.

Full Review Source: Times [UK] | comment Comment
08/21/09
Toby Young
Toby Young
Times [UK]
Top Critic Icon Top Critic

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.

Full Review Source: Time Out | comment Comment
08/21/09
Trevor Johnston
Trevor Johnston
Time Out
Top Critic Icon Top Critic

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.

Full Review Source: Total Film | comment 1 Comment
08/21/09
Richard Matthews
Richard Matthews
Total Film

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.

Full Review Source: Daily Mail [UK] | comment Comment
08/21/09
Christopher Tookey
Christopher Tookey
Daily Mail [UK]

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.

Full Review Source: Daily Mirror [UK] | comment Comment
08/21/09
David Edwards
David Edwards
Daily Mirror [UK]

It is saved by occasional moments of comedy and the special effects are outstanding. But they aren't enough to rescue this turkey.

Full Review Source: Sun Online | comment Comment
08/21/09
Sun Online

From whirling mini-UFOs to giant animated nose bogeys, the screen is never still and the script never smart or engaging.

Full Review Source: Financial Times | comment Comment
08/21/09
Nigel Andrews
Nigel Andrews
Financial Times

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.

Full Review Source: Independent | comment Comment
08/21/09
Anthony Quinn
Anthony Quinn
Independent

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.

Full Review Source: This is London | comment Comment
08/21/09
Derek Malcolm
Derek Malcolm
This is London

Patchy but likeable children's fantasy adventure, thanks to a solid cast, an imaginative script and some nice ideas.

Full Review Source: ViewLondon | comment Comment
08/21/09
Matthew Turner
Matthew Turner
ViewLondon
 
 
1 - 20 (sorted by date; UK critics are listed first)
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