Check Out a Clip

Pixar goes very cute with this short. It tells the story of how babies are made. Clouds create them don’t you know? And storks deliver the precious packages. But who makes the dangerous babies like crocodiles and porcupines? The dark cloud in the sky, whose demeanor doesn’t match his reputation. Unfortunately, the job is difficult on the stork assigned to fly his babies down to Earth.

Directed by Peter Sohn, an animator on RATATOUILLE and the model for Russell in UP, this short definitely runs on the sentimental side, but provides some dark humor to balance the palate out. The gags don’t fly like they did in PRESTO nor does it have the rich characterization of GERI’S GAME or FOR THE BIRDS, but many of the laughs are witty, using the scenario to its full extent. As one would expect from Pixar, there is great acting going on, especially from the dark cloud’s stork. In some ways, the results of the dangerous babies on the poor stork reminded me of the famed fowls in LOONEY TUNES shorts like Daffy Duck and Foghorn Leghorn. And of course, the imagery is gorgeous. The color palette has a watercolor feel, fitting the nursery rhyme tone very well.

It seems quite fitting that this short will play in front of UP. This fantasy celebrates the beginning of life, while UP the close.