shocking

Rating: 1/10 (3 January 2015)

The animated short is about a slovenly man-child who lets his dog eat everything that he eats--pizza, pasta, anything. The dog becomes so spoiled on this unhealthy diet that when he is given only kibble he becomes morose, petulant and, in a pastiche of chaotic scenes, ends up dictating the course of his owner's life--marriage to a humanoid katydid, the siring of a Kewpie doll, golden-hued homeownership. The dog gets his spaghetti and meatballs again, and his negligent owner bumbles brainless and mute into all the supposed trappings of happiness and prosperity. Instant gratification for all! Viewed from its proper perspective, this animated short is a not-so-subtle form of mind-control--Walt reaches beyond the cryogenic vat to parrot "Hey folks, you're not in control of your own life, you don't know what to DO, so just let the dog take over and be happy." (Viewed from its improper perspective, it's apparently a real tear-jerker!) The feature presentation has a complementary message. It is the most dogged exposition of techno-narcissism that I have ever seen. The central conceit is that technology can solve any problem. Here, the protagonist isn't a dog, it's a blandly obstreperous 13-year-old boy who has neither desire nor perceived need for further education. Like the dog, his motivation is the simplest: he just wants to create cool tech! And he succeeds every time and with nugatory effort. He creates telepathically-controlled "microbots" that give reality to every thought. Entire skyscrapers made by the sheer action of thought! No catcalling Johnny Lunchpails in hardhats, no mining for finite resources with which to build, no consideration that maybe 13-year-olds aren't competent architects. Just instant gratification, ex nihilo! Huzzah! And thereby--because, just because--a bratty pubescent kid creates the magical technology that allows literally anything to occur without the slightest degree of human effort or environmental cost. Where does a movie plot go from there? Oh of course, the "bad guy" steals the invention. The bratty kid could presumably make more "microbots" with zero effort or personal expense but he instead opts to retrofit his hapless pals with destructive gadgets and thereby unleash general chaos and pellmell on the streets of SF. In short, the kid is every bit the equal of the petulant dog. If you cried at the end of the short, you're sure to cry at the end of the movie. But all it really means is that you've been conned twice. Or else you're a buffoon. Search your feelings and puke!