It speaks eloquently about Andres' undisputed talent that his unfinished attempt at William Golding's immortal Lord of the Flies would have easily worked as a self-contained featurette if he?d decided to wrap it up even earlier than he did, with the foreknowledge of what was to come looming in the minds of those who?ve read the book and the satisfaction of an enjoyable short in those who haven?t. It?s a pity, therefore, to have to consider it for what it could have been rather than what it is.
As it is, the story takes us from Ralph and Piggy's first meeting on the deserted island through to the beginning of the leadership vote around the symbolic conch shell and its rock pool. As a film opening, the hook is omni-present and the speed of events is paced well enough to stop boredom sinking in, as is a danger with adapting any book, let alone such an untouchable one as this.
Andres tells his story through picture and sound far more effectively than through the sketchy dialogue he's included. The overall sense is one of beautiful, yet claustrophobic remoteness, with the plot almost getting in the way. The little dialogue that's included in text boxes at the screen's bottom is far from polished and one can't help but feel that the film would work much better if it did without any at all. My fear is that had the dialogue actually been recorded, there would be very little that could be done to have it live up to the overall feeling of the feature, no matter how polished it may have eventually turned out.
Luscious graphics are aplenty and animation is, as expected, smooth. The main joy of this film, however, lies in its soundscape, or it does until it unfortunately cuts out near the end. The untouched feeling of the island is conveyed through a cacophony of jungle noises, to eventually lead in to a captivating musical score. The sweaty overbearing atmosphere of the island is everywhere, enclosing the viewer in a stifling grip.
Despite it's sad lack of ending, early or otherwise, this remains a great and hugely re-watchable little movie. Review by Kayl. |