Review: Sundance Short “Black Holes”

Won’t you come?

Black Holes is a beautiful, highly fashionable short film. The short debuted at Sundance 2017, and combines heady sci-fi, comedy, and gorgeous 3D animation. Black Holes is definitely more adult-oriented, a refreshing touch as it’s neat to see CGI applied to thematically mature content.

The narrative follows Dave Nicholson (Conrad Vernon), a veteran astronaut poised to lead NASA’s mission to Mars. Dave is suave yet a bit rough around the edges. Thus, he’s the archetypal astronaut. Aside from required, and regular, visits to proctologist Dr. Finger (Dave Nicolas) Dave enjoys a lavish life. His job as an astronaut requires mingling at cocktail nights. Plus, the employees like NASA’s Youston (William Ficthner) embark on shopping trips for Dave. Unfortunately, Dave is unable to take his favorite treat, flan, into space because of gravitational complications. So instead, he’s given a genetically modified melon. The Melon (Steve Little) however it turns out is a sentient being.

Black Holes embodies the fantastical. It’s a pretty humorous short, replete with a talking melon. The medium makes this possible. Animation allows for an anthropomorphized melon, zany space suits, and over-the-top characters. Artwork assumes an art deco vibe. It’s not quite as prevalent as the deco in Batman the Animated Series but rather it’s more subtle. Outfits appear retro-modern like space suits from the 60s. The lovely 3D CGI fosters a captivating environment that’s brimming with sci-fi throwbacks. Most overtly, there are open references to Stanley Kubrick tour de force 2001: A Space Odyssey. This renowned sci-fi gem plays into the plot of Black Holes rather prominently.

It’s neat to see scenes from 2001 envisioned as comedic. Moreover, the 3D animation truly pops and feels realistic in places. The CG is appropriately real and cartoonish when necessary. Most of the character designs are completely disproportionate with over-exaggerated features: Dave’s nose, Dr. Finger’s buxom daughter Clara (Lola Delon). Yet certain scenes are convincingly realistic. There’s a space shot that feels plucked from 2001 or Interstellar. Despite nods to past sci-fi material, Black Holes remains its own entity.

As gorgeous as Black Holes appears, it’s equally as immersive from an auditory perspective. The mids and highs are truly balanced, with rumbling rocket sounds and clear dialogue. Veteran actors provide fantastic voices for the quirky, and surprisingly down to earth, characters. Fichtner notably shines as Youston, and Little is incredible as The Melon.

What’s arguably most satisfying is the way a more mature narrative is paired with animation. There’s a growing trend where series like Jeff & Some Aliens and films such as Sausage Party cater to older audiences with animated content. The short is subtitled “How embarrassing to be human.” Mature themes aren’t limited to a bit of brief nudity. Rather, there’s the self-doubt that Dave plummets into when The Melon begins taking command of his life: redecorating his apartment, controlling the Mars mission.

Although Black Holes is a short film, it suggests a continuation. There’s a pilot written, and a season of 22-minute episodes has been plotted out. Reportedly, it’s a serial piece featuring story arcs with metaphysics, space travel, and proctology. If the short is anything indicative of the forthcoming series, set to be crowdfunded, it’s poised to shine. The 22 minute short Black Holes certainly piqued my curiosity with its combination of narrative, gorgeous visuals, and phenomenal voice acting.