I’m looking for something great that has a very simplistic, almost minimalist, art style. Something where the art or animation isn’t the main focus, but the story is.
The only one I can think of right now is It’s Such a Beautiful Day directed by Don Hertzfeldt. It’s literally just stick figures drawn on paper, but he tells an incredibly bleak yet moving story, and believe it or not is considered one of the best animated films of all time.
I would also put South Park: Bigger, Longer & Uncut, but I think we all expected that from South Park.
Can you think of any other great movies with a simple art style? I’m not saying it has to be exactly like It’s Such a Beautiful Day or South Park, just something low on visuals and high on storytelling.
Don Hertzfeldt created another set of short films called “The World of Tomorrow”. There are 3 parts, but only the first is available to stream for free. Don’t worry though, they’re self-contained and the first episode stands just fine on its own. It’s only about 15 minutes long, give it a watch.
Some of the best sci-fi I have ever seen. It constantly jumps between making you laugh and having moments of such deep existential insight that come like a sudden punch to the gut and leave you stunned.
“I no longer fall in love with rocks.”
Yeah, I saw that. I enjoyed it a lot more than “It’s Such a Beautiful Day”, which I found too bleak. “World of Tomorrow” was so much more bright and cheerful in comparison.