There's nothing inherently impressive about satirizing the killjoys who self-righteously condemn suspension of disbelief -- though most people who enjoy fantasy films, SF films (or scifi flicks!), or giant monster (or kaiju eiga) movies know all too well what it is like to be harassed by these people. It's simply too easy to make lazy, cheap gags at the expense of the "mundanes" and to play to the "geek" crowd.
But this quick little short does not take the easy route. The satire is witty and spot on -- but only someone who has had to put up with literalist tirades against suspension of disbelief would be familiar enough with such people to recognize the satire. All others will be bored.
Only the dialogue, not plot or special effects, is what makes this film work so well.
The comments made by the various "talking heads" in this short perfectly mimic and lampoon the various diatribes made by priggish literalists. There is the common (and almost kneejerk) reference to the square-cube law, the same tired old complaints about the misuse of the word "mutation" in most giant monster and SF films, the uninspired and condescending dismissal of giant monsters as functioning exclusively as childish symbolism, etc.
The petty smugness of the "talking heads" is emphasized by the surreal level of petty pretension with which they argue against the possibility that the giant monster currently attacking their city could actually exist, even as they cower from its approach.
Plus points for making reference to the classic rhedosaurus! Minus points for re-using the worn-out old gag of having the sole Japanese character speak via bad lip sync.
I highly recommend this film for any fans of giant monster and/or SF & fantasy cinema! Warning: If you're not a fan of giant monsters and/or SF cinema, or if you have trouble grasping the more subtle forms of satire, this film will mean nothing to you but seven minutes of silly boredom, and you should avoid it.
But this quick little short does not take the easy route. The satire is witty and spot on -- but only someone who has had to put up with literalist tirades against suspension of disbelief would be familiar enough with such people to recognize the satire. All others will be bored.
Only the dialogue, not plot or special effects, is what makes this film work so well.
The comments made by the various "talking heads" in this short perfectly mimic and lampoon the various diatribes made by priggish literalists. There is the common (and almost kneejerk) reference to the square-cube law, the same tired old complaints about the misuse of the word "mutation" in most giant monster and SF films, the uninspired and condescending dismissal of giant monsters as functioning exclusively as childish symbolism, etc.
The petty smugness of the "talking heads" is emphasized by the surreal level of petty pretension with which they argue against the possibility that the giant monster currently attacking their city could actually exist, even as they cower from its approach.
Plus points for making reference to the classic rhedosaurus! Minus points for re-using the worn-out old gag of having the sole Japanese character speak via bad lip sync.
I highly recommend this film for any fans of giant monster and/or SF & fantasy cinema! Warning: If you're not a fan of giant monsters and/or SF cinema, or if you have trouble grasping the more subtle forms of satire, this film will mean nothing to you but seven minutes of silly boredom, and you should avoid it.
