Reach (I) (2009) User Reviews

A great first effort

[planktonrules · 8/10 · 10 August 2009]

Apparently, Luke Randall has worked on a couple projects with other people and with REACH he got a chance to make his own film--writing, directing, animating and producing this nice little film. Considering his experience level, it's an amazing animated film and I hope to see more from this talented man.

The film is made using computer generated animation. It is a very, very simple tale involving a tiny little robot. It's maker is called away and unexpectedly it comes to life. Its first impulse is to get free, but it's tethered by a cord to what looks like an amplifier. Again and again, it tries to break free. There's not a whole lot more to the story than this, but fantastic CGI and clever design make this a great calling card for Mr. Randall. I hope somebody important (other than some ditsy reviewer like me) sees it and appreciates the work it took to bring REACH to life.

Very cute and humorous!

[safrannene · 9/10 · 7 February 2014]

A small robot is connected to a power source with cable. The robot starts to move when his owner is away. He is very pleased to act as he wants. However, the area he can move within is limited.

The robot has a simple body and a face with an eye like a camera. He can't speak. He has no special skill. He walks with machine sounds like a typical robot. But he is the cutest robot I've ever seen. Nice animation and sound design make him attractive.

He can see only a part of the world. He can't do everything easily. Moreover, he needs energy to move. It is so frustrating for him, but seems very humorous. But can we laugh at him? As a matter of fact, most people live like him. We live in a little world within our reach.

Was always going there but still hurts when it does (SPOILERS)

[bob the moo · 20 December 2013]

A small toy robot blinks into life for the first time. Filled with joy he plays on the table until he sees the wider world out the window – a world he wants to see more of but his ability to move that far is limited by the length of his power cable, but he is determined to haul his power source to his destination.

If you know the plot here and know that this is a short animated film it is probably no surprise to see what happens at the ending of this film. I shan't spoil it by saying it specifically but even by saying it is a sad ending will make it even clearer than it already is – which is pretty darn clear. The lack of surprise is not a big problem though since the film is still charming and ultimately sad but not in a depressing way. The robot character is well animated; he doesn't quite have the level of character that animated characters in Pixar would have (Wall-E being an example) but he still draws you in. The simple visual location makes you focus on him in a good way and you do feel for him up to the end.

Simple and a bit predictable but still effective and nicely made.

Well, That Was Depressing!

[Hitchcoc · 9/10 · 14 June 2019]

This is a wonderful use of four minutes of animation. The little robot suddenly finds out what life is all about. He begins to sense his own "humanity." Unfortunately, he is not battery powered. But if we look at this universally, he was able to enjoy sensations he never would have in another realm. Nice work.

impressive

[Kirpianuscus · 22 December 2018]

It reminds me, in other form, "The nightingale and the rose" by Oscar Wilde. A tiny robot. His savior. A cable. A window and a bird. The enthusiasm. The run. The obstacle , effort for free itself. The end. Sure, it is not exactle a great short animation. It is only a gem. For message, for emotion, for the animation who seems so easy and for idea to give one of the most eccentric story with admirable science to creat a special feeling.