Ratrix Hero (S)

Ratrix Hero is a French animated short film that stays entertaining for the seven minutes it runs. Right away you can see The Matrix influence in this film with the sounds, graphics and movement of the animated characters. The camera shots mixed with the thunderstorm gets the audience excited for whatever butt-kicking is about to happen. As the hero rat meanders, he quickly flies past a sad bird in its nest. As one of the bird’s eggs falls out and manages to roll off the side of a tall building, the bird and the rat go after it. The bird falls and you can just tell it is doomed. The rat, in all its matrix glory, zooms past the eggs and grabs hold to an American flag. The egg still falls and eventually hits the rat and explodes. The power of America is displayed through the use of the flag–which doesn’t end up saving the egg. But as the evil rats come out, the bird falls and the rat uses the pole of the flag to smack the bird into a flammable tank, blowing up the evil. You can tell the rat is thinking, “bring it!” The darkness of this short film is balanced out by the colors used on the flag and the bird. This film shows that you cannot be weak in a world full of darkness, or you will just be used for someone else’s needs. Although the film is short, it is interesting and keeps your attention throughout. No talking is needed as the music changes with the pace of the film.