Footprints (2014)

Footprints Review

Footprints is a 2014 animated short film directed by Bill Plympton. It’s a very strong short from this director.

A gullible man goes on a quest to find a mysterious destructive monster only to arrive at an unexpected revelation. The movie’s messaging is an obvious one – most of the times it is us who need to fix ourselves and not others. The protagonist (or antagonist) in the movie is revealed to be a terrible person himself. He judges others, but he should turn that introspection inwards. The ending is expected, but so effective nonetheless.

Footprints is also visually dazzling, featuring a lovely style, great fluid movements and truly artistic and striking imagery. The disorienting mood was a delight. The movie is too brisk and it could have developed the protagonist more, but it worked as a message piece and a strong example of Plympton’s artistry. He is definitely better suited for short than feature-length medium. The movie was shortlisted for the Oscar, but it eventually lost out on a nomination.

Footprints is a pretty good Bill Plympton-directed short that is obvious, but effective in its messaging. It’s also artistically inclined and striking in imagery.

My Rating – 4