StudentDriver said:
I was expecting to feel my heartstrings tugged at least a little-- I can tear up at the cheesiest things, like the little penguin crying icecubes when he thinks Bugs Bunny isn't going to escort him to his home-- but didn't really feel anything regarding this. I actually got the feeling that the animator was trying way too hard to tug at heartstrings with the kiwi's tear. Nice animation for a student project, though.
I was going to ask how you can be so jaded but you're 32.
MrStitches said:
I don't see it as bittersweet at all. The little guy worked hard to get what he dreamt of and died doing what made him happy. Those weren't sad tears, they were tears of release. All that work and suffering, and he finally reached his goal. That kiwi died happier than most people could ever hope to.
I'd list "died happier than most people could ever hope to" as pretty close to the definition of "bittersweet".
I'd say it's pretty close to the definition of "fucking sweet!"
It was about the pursuit of a dream, the realization of which will kill him. He knows that, and chooses to realize the dream anyway. I liked it. But I thought the tear was from the wind whipped against his eyes, cause birds can't "cry" from emotion the way humans can, but maybe I'm just to analytical for schmaltz.
Roethke said:
Why must it be a happy or sad ending?
It was about the pursuit of a dream, the realization of which will kill him. He knows that, and chooses to realize the dream anyway. I liked it. But I thought the tear was from the wind whipped against his eyes, cause birds can't "cry" from emotion the way humans can, but maybe I'm just to analytical for schmaltz.
I don't think birds can use hammers either. And they rarely wear hats.
Throughout the video, the kiwi is overjoyed with the progress of his work. Surely he knew that the fulfillment of his dream would be his end. But that never stopped him from his work or it's inevitable ending.
Kiwi dies doing what he loves, namely flying. A nigh-impossible dream for a flightless bird. How many people will have the opportunity to go out doing what they love best? How many people will realize their dreams in their lifetime, let alone seeing those dreams made manifest at their own hands? If that's not a pretty damn good way to go out, I don't know what is.
While it is sad that Kiwi has choosen to close the door on other possibilities in his life with his fateful decision, it was his decision to make, and his dream to pursue. He will die, yes. But it's on his own terms.
And as for the tear, I read it as both the effects of terminal velocity, and a tear of joy.
And most importantly of all, it's just a cartoon, people.
Phantasy
Australia
October 2005
NOV 14, 2006 06:01 AM