Shorts
Director: Robert Rodriguez
Actors: Jimmy Bennett, James Spader, Kat Dennings
PlotIn a small suburb ruled by the powerful Black Box Unlimited Worldwide Industries, life revolves around the high-tech, all-purpose Black Box, a gadget that can do almost anything. The story centers on Toe Thompson, an unpopular middle school student, who discovers a mysterious rainbow-colored rock that grants wishes to anyone who possesses it. This magical rock quickly causes chaos as it changes hands among the local kids and adults, leading to a series of bizarre and fantastical events.
As the rock circulates, its power triggers a blend of humorous and perilous adventures, affecting people in unexpected ways. Each wish made leads to unintended consequences, creating a chain of wild situations ranging from giant monsters to talking crocodiles. With the town's order spiraling into madness, Toe and his friends must figure out how to use the rock wisely to set things right. The unfolding story delves into the themes of responsibility, friendship, and the unpredictable nature of desires, all while capturing the excitement and trials of childhood. The tale builds up to a climactic series of events that challenge the characters to make decisions impacting their world significantly.
Writers: Robert Rodriguez, Álvaro Rodríguez, Víctor Ugalde
Release Date: 21 Aug 2009
Runtime: 89 min
Rating: PG
Country: United States, United Arab Emirates, Chile, Peru, France
Language: English
Home Video Reviews
Shorts is a frenetic, kid-targeted film with sub-par effects and plot, decent audio, a weak video transfer, and minimal special features; ultimately skip it.
Read our review of Shorts Blu-ray to find out more