The Age of Stupid Review

It’s amazing how such a high-end result could be achieved with such small budget, but the Animation directors on The Age of Stupid were extremely resourceful. From deep space explosions made from dropping milk into a tank to shots of ruined cities from polystyrene floating in a canal their creativity knows no bounds. They’ve pulled effects, what would normally have taken 3D software, off with the help of a talented compositor and their own brilliant imaginations. Martyn’s high-quality matt paintings give the film a stylised noir look that carries over seamlessly into 3D and then live action, the overall tone, texturing and colour grade working to merge all manners of media into one film.

Sections of animation work well. I especially like the ‘history of war’ sequence in which the constant war humans have for resources is illustrated with clarity and with a script to the point. I like how the style of characters evolve through history and location taking on the appearance of art in that location and at that time, while also retaining qualities such as textures that tie each scene together into one sequence.

Overall the film did not take on a preachy edge, though I had thought it might. It works well to reveal our mistakes and look at them with regret and guilt but also determination. After all we still have the power to change and the age of stupid can become the age of change and revelation. We have the power to save ourselves, after all that we have accomplished. I hope that others will feel the same.

On a personal note this film made me feel guilty about being an animator, when we work on commercials, in many ways we’re fuelling consumerism. Perhaps I could take the same route as John and strive to only work with ethical, environmentally friendly companies, though this will be hard with the current economic state. I could make films ad my form of demonstration, and do my part to help the planet we depend on so much for survival.