I don't think people really pay attention to Pixar shorts as something other than a bonus to Pixar features (this one coming before Cars), but these things are really great, even standalone. A lot of Pixar shorts involve a theme of personal struggle, usually for recognition or comfort in an empty or uncaring world. They tend to involve smaller characters that are lonely and helpless, but learn something in their struggle.
This one is a fun mixture of those themes, involving two competing one-man-bands (or, rather, a one man band and a one man orchestra) who are hunting for the only available coin in an empty plaza... held by a little girl who wants the coin to go far. As the competition heats up they get further and further off track of what they're doing, ultimately fumbling in a predictable direction but one that is still wonderfully poignant.
Another magical thing about Pixar shorts is that few of them have any dialog, thus showing character through action and expression. This one is great at that approach, and has a great musical score to back it up.
I hope someday Pixar releases a DVD of just their shorts so that people can regard them away from their feature presentations. They really are great on their own.
--PolarisDiB
This one is a fun mixture of those themes, involving two competing one-man-bands (or, rather, a one man band and a one man orchestra) who are hunting for the only available coin in an empty plaza... held by a little girl who wants the coin to go far. As the competition heats up they get further and further off track of what they're doing, ultimately fumbling in a predictable direction but one that is still wonderfully poignant.
Another magical thing about Pixar shorts is that few of them have any dialog, thus showing character through action and expression. This one is great at that approach, and has a great musical score to back it up.
I hope someday Pixar releases a DVD of just their shorts so that people can regard them away from their feature presentations. They really are great on their own.
--PolarisDiB