This was a cute little short that actually really surprised me in may ways. I had no idea whether it was going to be good or not and it was actually pretty damn good. Going into inside out i was trying to save my tears for that, i didn't expect i would be using them up in the short beforehand. This was similar to inside out in that it manages to take you from being very happy and enjoying it to the point of almost crying and welling up at the drop of a hat. The singing was also a great way of telling the story in a fun and uplifting manner. But in the end it was still a fun and cute little story that is very enjoyable. - 7.6
46 Reviews
To fall in lava
Prismark1014 April 2016
Lava is a charming short animation from Pixar.
The story is simple, a volcanic mountain in the middle of the ocean is singing for companionship. A female lava or should I say lover.
As the centuries turn into millenniums then into millions of years, the lonely volcano is sinking beneath the sea in extinction but right at the bottom for all this years was a female volcano who forever has been enchanted with his song who rises out from the bottom of the ocean just as he dips beneath it.
Can the old volcano make his lava stir one more time and find true love?
A simple, elegant original cartoon with a catchy song and wonderful animation.
The story is simple, a volcanic mountain in the middle of the ocean is singing for companionship. A female lava or should I say lover.
As the centuries turn into millenniums then into millions of years, the lonely volcano is sinking beneath the sea in extinction but right at the bottom for all this years was a female volcano who forever has been enchanted with his song who rises out from the bottom of the ocean just as he dips beneath it.
Can the old volcano make his lava stir one more time and find true love?
A simple, elegant original cartoon with a catchy song and wonderful animation.
I lava you
mihai_alexandru_chindris30 November 2018
Another lovely collaboration between Pixar and Disney! This short tells a love story that ends up in a happy manner. Colors are so vivid & the created song for this little piece of art is absolutely enchanting. Reserve yourself some time to watch this particular short, cause it's worth every second.
Extremely Charming and Beautiful to Look At
Michael_Elliott23 June 2015
Lava (2014)
*** 1/2 (out of 4)
Exceptionally entertaining Pixar short has a volcano singing about "lava" and how he wishes he had someone to spend time with. Over millions of years we learn that there's a volcano under the water who has heard him the entire time. This Pixar short is another classic from the studio who seem to be just as good at making shorts as they are the features and that's saying a lot. As you'd expect, the actual animation is really wonderful and I'd argue that some of the studio's best work can be found here including a brilliant sequence where we see the volcano over thousands of years. The time elapse was just something beautiful to see. Then there's the song itself, which is incredibly clever and packs a nice little punch at the end. This film really does a great job at showing this love story through the ages and I think parents will enjoy it just as much as children.
*** 1/2 (out of 4)
Exceptionally entertaining Pixar short has a volcano singing about "lava" and how he wishes he had someone to spend time with. Over millions of years we learn that there's a volcano under the water who has heard him the entire time. This Pixar short is another classic from the studio who seem to be just as good at making shorts as they are the features and that's saying a lot. As you'd expect, the actual animation is really wonderful and I'd argue that some of the studio's best work can be found here including a brilliant sequence where we see the volcano over thousands of years. The time elapse was just something beautiful to see. Then there's the song itself, which is incredibly clever and packs a nice little punch at the end. This film really does a great job at showing this love story through the ages and I think parents will enjoy it just as much as children.
Lava: Quaint but weaker than the average Pixar short
Platypuschow12 July 2017
Lava tells the story of a lonely volcano, yep really. Anyway this volcano spends his days singing and that's the general premise of this. Generally I adore these beautiful little shorts and Piper (2016) really set the bar. Don't get me wrong Lava is good, it has your usual Pixar charm and hits you right in the feels but it just didn't have "It" whatever "It" may be.
If I saw two one man bands competing for the attention of a little girl to get a shiny gold coin (One Man Band: 2005) I'd laugh and cheer, if I saw a magician trying to keep his unruly rabbit in check (Presto:2008) I'd be in hysterics, if I saw a baby bird brave the new world I'd d'awww (Piper:2016) but I can confidently say if I saw a singing volcano I'd run screaming in soggy trousers (It'd be sweat I swear).
Sweet, heartfelt, but a lonely singing volcano really?
If I saw two one man bands competing for the attention of a little girl to get a shiny gold coin (One Man Band: 2005) I'd laugh and cheer, if I saw a magician trying to keep his unruly rabbit in check (Presto:2008) I'd be in hysterics, if I saw a baby bird brave the new world I'd d'awww (Piper:2016) but I can confidently say if I saw a singing volcano I'd run screaming in soggy trousers (It'd be sweat I swear).
Sweet, heartfelt, but a lonely singing volcano really?
Have some Kleenex handy for this marvelous short film!
planktonrules18 June 2015
Warning: Spoilers
This short film alone is more than enough reason to go see Inside Out.
When I went to the theater to see Inside Out tonight, little did I realize that the best part of my evening would be when they showed the short, Lava, before the feature film. However, like Inside Out, I doubt if Lava will resonate very well with small children, as its intended audience appears to be adults.
The short is very simple--as you'd expect in a short film. It consists of the most adorable volcano in history singing a love song--hoping that perhaps a girl volcano will answer his call. Amazingly strange, I'll admit but the film works remarkably well because Disney Animation is clearly working at its best on this one. The CGI is breathtaking--working magnificently with the 3-D technology-- something that isn't true of most 3-D films. The story is lovely as well and will most likely have many of you reaching for your Kleenex. The bottom line is that this is one terrific short and more than reason enough to arrive at the theater with plenty of time to spare so you don't miss a moment of this lovely film.
When I went to the theater to see Inside Out tonight, little did I realize that the best part of my evening would be when they showed the short, Lava, before the feature film. However, like Inside Out, I doubt if Lava will resonate very well with small children, as its intended audience appears to be adults.
The short is very simple--as you'd expect in a short film. It consists of the most adorable volcano in history singing a love song--hoping that perhaps a girl volcano will answer his call. Amazingly strange, I'll admit but the film works remarkably well because Disney Animation is clearly working at its best on this one. The CGI is breathtaking--working magnificently with the 3-D technology-- something that isn't true of most 3-D films. The story is lovely as well and will most likely have many of you reaching for your Kleenex. The bottom line is that this is one terrific short and more than reason enough to arrive at the theater with plenty of time to spare so you don't miss a moment of this lovely film.
Calm and serene, but not overflowing with the usual Pixar goodness
WilliamOTyler19 June 2015
Lava is the short story of a volcano who wishes to find someone to love like the animals that surround him. There isn't much action, as the main character is so stationary. In fact the entire piece is very calm and serene, but without being too boring. It's all set against a song that, though it's full of heart, is somewhat stagnant and often begins to teeter on annoying. Luckily each time the short reaches this point, something happens to change the status quo and mildly peaks interest again.
Lava is definitely not Pixar's best. There's only so much that be done when watching an island as a whole from afar. The animation is eye catching, but standard fare for the company, and may actually not be fast paced enough to hold many children's attention. Still, Lava is definitely not Pixar's worst either, giving a story that really is sweet and showing us familiar objects from a different point of view as only Pixar can.
Lava is definitely not Pixar's best. There's only so much that be done when watching an island as a whole from afar. The animation is eye catching, but standard fare for the company, and may actually not be fast paced enough to hold many children's attention. Still, Lava is definitely not Pixar's worst either, giving a story that really is sweet and showing us familiar objects from a different point of view as only Pixar can.
Amazing
nuclearchildren15 June 2015
This is an Academy Award worthy short film. The music is amazing, the artistry was beautiful, and I may have even shed a tear or two. It is a must see for all. Pixar is a petri dish for animation geniuses. This is by far one of their best shorts yet. It is as good if not better than Paperman and Knick Knack . Not to mention it blows Frozen Fever out of the water despite the cute Snowgies. In fact I'd pay to see Inside Out again just for this short. My only complaints are that I have no where to download the song, and l have to wait for the next Pixar Short Films Collection. I give it a 10 star rating. But don't take my word for it go see it yourself.
Probably not Oscar worthy; like a lot of Pixar is.
Hellmant26 June 2015
'LAVA': Three and a Half Stars (Out of Five)
Another Pixar computer-animated short; which preceded 'INSIDE OUT' in theaters. It tells the story of a volcano, on a tropical island in the Pacific, that's lonely and dreams of love. So he sings a song to the ocean, about his longing, for thousands of years. Little does he know that there's a sunken female volcano, near by, that hears his song, and is inspired by it. The male volcano continues to vent lava, in sadness, and sink as well; while the female volcano grows stronger, from hearing his song. The short is 7-minutes long and was directed by James Ford Murphy (a veteran Pixar animator). It stars the voice talents of Kuana Torres Kahele and Napua Greig. The song, sung by the volcano, is also titled 'Lava' and was written by Murphy as well (it's also featured as a bonus track on the 'INSIDE OUT' soundtrack). Once again the animation is beautiful to watch (like all Pixar shorts) and the story is moving. I like the music, and the touching song, as well. It's not quite as emotional, and memorable, as other Pixar classics though. It also is lacking any humor (which makes some Pixar shorts more entertaining). It's a beautiful little short, but it's probably not Oscar worthy; like a lot of Pixar is.
Watch our movie review show 'MOVIE TALK' at: http://youtu.be/3LSix0bykDQ
Another Pixar computer-animated short; which preceded 'INSIDE OUT' in theaters. It tells the story of a volcano, on a tropical island in the Pacific, that's lonely and dreams of love. So he sings a song to the ocean, about his longing, for thousands of years. Little does he know that there's a sunken female volcano, near by, that hears his song, and is inspired by it. The male volcano continues to vent lava, in sadness, and sink as well; while the female volcano grows stronger, from hearing his song. The short is 7-minutes long and was directed by James Ford Murphy (a veteran Pixar animator). It stars the voice talents of Kuana Torres Kahele and Napua Greig. The song, sung by the volcano, is also titled 'Lava' and was written by Murphy as well (it's also featured as a bonus track on the 'INSIDE OUT' soundtrack). Once again the animation is beautiful to watch (like all Pixar shorts) and the story is moving. I like the music, and the touching song, as well. It's not quite as emotional, and memorable, as other Pixar classics though. It also is lacking any humor (which makes some Pixar shorts more entertaining). It's a beautiful little short, but it's probably not Oscar worthy; like a lot of Pixar is.
Watch our movie review show 'MOVIE TALK' at: http://youtu.be/3LSix0bykDQ
Love for Lava
fairyglenn0520 June 2015
Warning: Spoilers
Just saw Lava with Inside Out and absolutely loved it! I had not heard anything about it or even seen any previews so I was completely new to its concept.
It starts as a beautifully written tropical island song about a lonely volcano watching love grow in all its forms in nature as he pines for his own love. The story takes you on a sea washed voyage of truly amazing animation and a series of emotions... I literally laughed and cried.
I'm really glad I hadn't seen anything about it prior... It seems like they show too much in the trailers now a days!!
It starts as a beautifully written tropical island song about a lonely volcano watching love grow in all its forms in nature as he pines for his own love. The story takes you on a sea washed voyage of truly amazing animation and a series of emotions... I literally laughed and cried.
I'm really glad I hadn't seen anything about it prior... It seems like they show too much in the trailers now a days!!
Not as good as the usual Pixar shorts
neil-4767 August 2015
Warning: Spoilers
A lonely volcanic island sings a song of hopeful love over the years: just as he goes extinct and sinks below the surface, a new volcano arises, inspired by his song: but will they ever be together? Lava is the Disney/Pixar short which accompanies Inside Out. It is, as usual, visually beautiful but, for me, it falls quite a long way short of the usual standard of these short films: it is trite and obvious, and contains little of real substance other than its visuals. I was also not terribly amused by the conflation of "love/lava" in the song lyrics.
Sorry to be out of step on this one.
Sorry to be out of step on this one.
Outstanding fable
bbewnylorac27 June 2015
Warning: Spoilers
This exquisite short musical animation appeared before a screening of the full length animation Inside Out and it blew me away. It made me laugh and cry at the same time. It's the simple fable of how a tiny volcanic island was formed. A big old male volcano longs for love and sings his feelings but almost becomes extinct, trying to keep his hope alive in his isolation. Unbeknownst to him, a beautiful female volcano submerged in the sea nearby falls in love with his voice and his story. She fires up, and emerges, singing, from the sea as an island, which in turn fires up the male volcano to emerge from where he's sunk into the sea. The two volcanoes finish up leaning on each other, happy and singing, forming a new, united, island volcano. It's a creation story, told as though you're sitting around a Hawaiian campfire, with a lovely, operatic ukelele soundtrack. I loved it..
Boring
urbancohort26 June 2015
Warning: Spoilers
Neither the kids or adults in our group enjoyed this short.
It has no story or characters. This one seems like it came from the vaguest Hawaiian legend or folklore that no one thought to bring alive or flesh- out. It just depicts two volcanic islands growing up out of the water for each other because they are lonely. The thing has to be narrated to try to make sense.
Also, the "male" island looks ancient while the "female" island appears youthful and beautiful...this is just creepy.
Disney prides itself in great stories and clever characters, even in their shorts. This oneseems like it came from the vaguest Hawaiian legend or folklore that no one thought to bring alive or flesh-out.
It has no story or characters. This one seems like it came from the vaguest Hawaiian legend or folklore that no one thought to bring alive or flesh- out. It just depicts two volcanic islands growing up out of the water for each other because they are lonely. The thing has to be narrated to try to make sense.
Also, the "male" island looks ancient while the "female" island appears youthful and beautiful...this is just creepy.
Disney prides itself in great stories and clever characters, even in their shorts. This oneseems like it came from the vaguest Hawaiian legend or folklore that no one thought to bring alive or flesh-out.
Whether states can use tax dollars to subsidize FLINTSTONE WORLD . . .
oscaralbert26 June 2015
Warning: Spoilers
. . . as a Museum of Natural History is a question currently before the Supreme Court, but the Disney Umbrella Corp. has provided a know-nothing answer of sorts with no apparent use of public funds. LAVA teaches kids that volcanoes such as Mount St. Helen and Vesuvius are NOT to be feared as mass killers, but rather seen as misunderstood lovesick puppies yearning to unite with their peers to form Megacauldrons like that Yellowstone monster featured in the movie 2012 in order to provide us with summer-free years, world-wide famine, and shipping mayhem as they proliferate like rabbits under the sea. LAVA is bound to desensitize a generation of the World's Young to three million years or so of primal fear toward volcanic action and lava, which tend to go hand-in-hand. Speaking of hands, how many kids will lose theirs as they stoop to pet the LAVA Disney has so charmingly personified? And what can we expect next from Disney? Tina, the Twinkle-Toed Twister? Sonny, an Amiable Tsunami? Ernie the Earthquake Cracks Like a Duck? Hurricane Hattie Hurries across Cape Hatteras? Barry Blizzard Buries Buffalo? Floyd Floods Folks for Fun? Hail, Hail, the Golf Balls Are Here? Wilma Wildfire Waltzes through the Forest? Disney's options to Defang catastrophe seem endless after LAVA.
So much better than Inside Out
CubsandCulture18 January 2021
It is never a great sign when the also ran short is more emotional, compelling and memorable than the feature film. Yet here we are. Lava is a musical love-story that stays with you because of its simplicity and grace. There is a purity to the story and animation that make this one of the best Pixar shorts.
expected more
SnoopyStyle26 March 2019
It's the life of a volcano named Uku in the south Pacific. He is slowly collapsing back into the sea when a new volcano named Lele rises.
I like the south Pacific music in this Pixar short. The concept is cool. Only the life cycle of a volcano isn't right. One may not expect correct nature in a cartoon but a Pixar animation should be better. I wanted coral and more of the marine life. As a volcano erode, a ring of coral spreads around it. The coral could have been a halo for the volcano as it sinks back into the sea. I still like the song and the concept.
I like the south Pacific music in this Pixar short. The concept is cool. Only the life cycle of a volcano isn't right. One may not expect correct nature in a cartoon but a Pixar animation should be better. I wanted coral and more of the marine life. As a volcano erode, a ring of coral spreads around it. The coral could have been a halo for the volcano as it sinks back into the sea. I still like the song and the concept.
Short bundle of joy
Sruthi_Me28 June 2015
Warning: Spoilers
OH MY GAWD!!
That is pretty much all I have to say about Lava. I am not one of your typical crybabies at romantic short films. But, damn, this one moved me to tears.
Stunning animation, a really catch heartfelt tune and brilliant use of mama nature is enough to get anybody in a state where they pull one handkerchief after another out until it ends.
The upside,the fact that everything works out in the end, nobody is lonely and everybody finds their lava is bliss and it leaves you happy and warm on the inside.
That is pretty much all I have to say about Lava. I am not one of your typical crybabies at romantic short films. But, damn, this one moved me to tears.
Stunning animation, a really catch heartfelt tune and brilliant use of mama nature is enough to get anybody in a state where they pull one handkerchief after another out until it ends.
The upside,the fact that everything works out in the end, nobody is lonely and everybody finds their lava is bliss and it leaves you happy and warm on the inside.
Satisfyingly cute
AStormOfSwords1319 June 2015
For those of you who are going to see Inside Out, this is the short that will accompany the actual movie. I was expecting a devastating eruption because lava is normally associated with that, but it is instead a musical about finding love. In that sense, it is a really cute short. It did feel underwhelming compared to other Pixar shorts like For The Birds, Burn-E, and Day & Night, so it almost feels like having a satisfying appetizer you probably wouldn't have ordered before getting to the gourmet main course you came for. But as its own thing, it works. It wants to be a cute musical and it is one. It also doesn't lack in a plot despite there being very little to work with, so it definitely is a worthy short, even if there are quite a few better ones out there.
Lava is another wonderful Disney/Pixar computer animated short
tavm24 June 2015
Warning: Spoilers
Before the Disney/Pixar feature Inside Out, this short by them appeared. It concerns a male volcano who sings of wanting someone to love as he witnesses various creatures with significant others. Will he find her? Well, since there's a requirement of ten lines for this review to be submitted here, I'll just say that by some kind of miracle, he does! Oh, let me also mention that as he sinks lower, that other is rising above him. How? Well, I don't want to reveal everything or how the happy ending comes. I'll just now say this was a very enjoyable short with all those images and the singing and, well, I'll just now say that Lava is very highly recommended.
Laa-va
ashfordofficial12 December 2021
A short that encompasses the beauty of Hawaii. I really enjoyed the music and the emotions that expressed through. The integrity and the cultural aspects of Hawaiian people carefully portrayed in this little short film.
Greatest Love Story of All Time
pinkglow-0387917 July 2020
Pointless short but sad and creepy at the same time
EzioMonty1177 August 2015
Warning: Spoilers
I don't get the point of Lava, it's a short film for the fabulous Inside Out, but this short is a joke, a Volcano making love With another Volcano, what, here's why this is the worst Disney short film yet.
The short follows a Volcano back 1 million years ago sings a song about when he will find someone he will love, then a lot of days later, a female Volcano comes up from the sea and the male Volcano gets his prize, a Volcano to love, that's basically i can sum up this Garbage.
The animation is good, but not Incredible, With creepy designs and weak Development time, the song that Plays through this 7 minute short is too sad to be true, it's creepy and unfitting, especially With a talking Volcano, seriously.
The concept is the worst in a short ever, i even thought that awful Blue Umbrella short was better than this, the only good thing about Lava is when Inside Out finally starts, i was confused for the entirety of the short.
Lava is a weak but decent short film, animation, song and concept is terrible.
4/10
The short follows a Volcano back 1 million years ago sings a song about when he will find someone he will love, then a lot of days later, a female Volcano comes up from the sea and the male Volcano gets his prize, a Volcano to love, that's basically i can sum up this Garbage.
The animation is good, but not Incredible, With creepy designs and weak Development time, the song that Plays through this 7 minute short is too sad to be true, it's creepy and unfitting, especially With a talking Volcano, seriously.
The concept is the worst in a short ever, i even thought that awful Blue Umbrella short was better than this, the only good thing about Lava is when Inside Out finally starts, i was confused for the entirety of the short.
Lava is a weak but decent short film, animation, song and concept is terrible.
4/10
Inspirational Music & Storyline
KoryNKim19 June 2015
We saw this short before "In & Out" just a day after returning from a vacation in Hawaii, where my 11 year-old daughter learned to play the Ukulele. When the music started and the story unfolded, we looked at each other and gave the "Thumbs Up" sign, really enjoying this short. The Pixar artists did a great job in capturing the serenity and calmness of the Hawaiian island spirit of nature. Having been listening to IZ before and during our vacation, the music and voices did justice to his spirit of music and the cute play on words with "Lava".
My daughter is now desperate to locate the written score for this music to learn to play on her ukulele. I hope this will become available for sale soon!
Pixar - thank you for something different that has a valuable message: in the vastness of the natural world, what we have here on Earth is special, and finding someone to share our hopes and dreams is an amazing event worthy of our best hopes, dreams, and inspired creativity.
My daughter is now desperate to locate the written score for this music to learn to play on her ukulele. I hope this will become available for sale soon!
Pixar - thank you for something different that has a valuable message: in the vastness of the natural world, what we have here on Earth is special, and finding someone to share our hopes and dreams is an amazing event worthy of our best hopes, dreams, and inspired creativity.
Well Animated and Heartwarming Short,
lesleyharris303 August 2015
Lava is a great short film with a well developed story and a terrific voice cast. The film manages to tell a very sweet story in the space of less than ten minutes, and also within this small amount of time it takes place over hundreds of years, it's very impressive how a short film can do that and we feel a genuine connection for this talking volcano and want him to succeed in his dream. As far as Pixar's short films go, this isn't one of the greats, I would normally find myself given these shorts a rating of nine, but Lava is missing that magic that is evident in shorts such as Day & Night and For the Birds, and it simply isn't as memorable. The voice acting is outstanding, there are only two voices heard in this movie, which is quite rare for a Pixar short, their singing is beautiful and perfectly conveys the overall ton and message of the film, to never give up on your dreams. It's not Pixar's finest short, but Lava is a fun and a very sweet seven minutes that will warm you up for Inside Out, definitely worth the watch.
A volcano struggles for millions of years to find love.
A volcano struggles for millions of years to find love.
See also
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