Disney+ Pixar Sparkshorts Review: These Latest Shorts Feature a Gay Couple, Autism, Animal Abuse

Disney+ has released another Pixar Sparkshorts, and the latest one comes “Out” with a gay couple. I will answer the following questions about the Sparkshorts. Are they worth watching? How many are there? And what are the Sparkshorts? Additionally, I will let you know which ones I absolutely think are worth watching. My Disney Pixar Sparkshorts Review will give you the low-down on all the films in this series.

Sparkshorts are the Pixar Animation Studios short film series which feature new storytellers and use new techniques. While most people applaud these Sparkshorts, many of them I just couldn’t like no matter how much I tried. Some are just bizarre, and some are just downright dangerous. 

How many of these Pixar shorts have you seen? Before viewing with your children, you may want to preview them. Most Sparkshorts contain sensitive themes and feature storylines that children may not understand. Even if I don’t like all the shorts, I applaud the Sparkshorts program which have given the writers/directors a unique way to tell their own stories.

Pixar Sparkshorts Review of OUT

THEME: Gay Man Comes Out to His Parents

The latest Pixar Sparkshort entitled “Out” is the first Pixar production that feature a gay couple. In fact, this is the first Pixar film that has a gay main character. This animated feature also highlights a same-sex kiss.

The animated film highlights Greg, who is a gay man, living with Manuel. The couple is moving, however, when Greg’s parents show up to help him move, it is apparent that Greg has hid this secret from them.

With the help of Greg’s dog, Jim, and some magical pets that arrive on a rainbow, Greg finally gets the courage to tell his parents about his boyfriend.

Overall this short film was well made and designed to tug at your heart strings, but like so many of the Sparkshorts, there were just weird and creepy elements. The magical animals that arrived on the rainbow were odd. 

SPARKSHORTS LOOP

THEME: Non-Verbal Autism

I have a child with autism, and so when I first heard about Loop, I was excited. I watched Loop with an open mind, and I wanted to like it. However, the entire premise of the film is dangerous to autistic children. You see it features water and canoe camp. Do you know the number one way autistic children die?

Drowning is the leading cause of death for children with autism. Every time I hear of an autistic child being missing near water, my heart stops. Every time there are reports of an autistic child wandering off, I say a prayer that there is not water nearby. 

This film allows a camper with no experience with autism to go canoeing with a non-verbal autistic girl. They end up on a lake unable to move forward until they find a way to connect. 

It concerns me that Disney produced such a potentially dangerous film. This non-verbal autistic girl should not have been 1) sitting in a boat alone (which is shown at the beginning of the film), and 2) been allowed to go canoeing without someone who could advocate for her. 

My biggest fear is that this film gives people a false idea of what dealing with autism is really like. I can’t possible see my son (or many other children with autism) coping as well as the child in this film. When frustrated many of our children on the spectrum run, hide or have a complete meltdown.

PIXAR’S SPARKSHORTS REVIEW OF WIND

THEME: Immigration

In “Wind” a grandmother and her grandson are trapped in an chasm. They gather floating junk to create a rocket ship which will enable them to leave behind their dreary existence. 

The film, directed and written by Edwin Change, “was inspired by my grandmother. She was a single mother after the Korean War, and it’s inspired by everything she did take care of her kids and my dad, feed them, educate them and eventually sending them all the way to the U.S. for a new life,” said Chang. Quote from Chang taken from ABC News.

While watching the film, if you do not know the backstory about who produced it and why, you are left thinking, “What did I just watch.” Knowing the story behind the film enables you to see the hopeless situation and I could actually identify with the film. My grandparents left behind the way of life to come to the United States and create something better for their children. They also left behind their families. 

PIXAR’S FLOAT

THEME: Accepting Your Child’s Disability – Autism

As a father plays with his son, he finds that his son is different from other kids. He attempts to keep them safe by hiding his son. Accepting his son for who how he was created to be is the central theme of this film.

While watching this film, as the mom of a child with autism, I knew exactly how the creator felt. I found myself hiding who my son was from society and even those closest to me. The fear of being harshly judged for any deficit your child may have is a real struggle for parents dealing with disabilities.

Not only did “Float” tackle a fear many parents deal with, but it also broke new ground as the first Pixar work to feature a Filipino American animated character.

Furthermore, since “Float” was inspired by Rubio’s own son, who was diagnosed with autism it has such a raw and real feel to it. When Rubio learned about his son’s diagnosis, he didn’t handle the news well.

This also highlights a common problem I have heard from mothers dealing with children on the spectrum. Dads, oftentimes, take more time to process their feelings about disabilities.

This is the one Pixar Sparkshort that I absolutely love.

PIXAR SPARKSHORTS KITBULL

THEME: Friendship and Animal Abuse

This OSCAR® nominated animated short film “Kitbull” was written and directed by Rosana Sullivan. It is a hand-drawn film that tells the story of an unlikely friendship between a stray kitten and an abused pit bull. 

This short will have you crying and believing that even the hardest hearts can be softened.

Kitbull is a definite must-watch. First, it gives kids a first look at abused animals. However, it also highlights a breed that is often considered undesirable. I am a big proponent of using movies to teach, and Kitbull can open doors to talk about dog fighting, animal abuse, adopting strays, and being friends with people who are different than you.

SPARKSHORTS SMASH AND GRAB

THEME: Freedom, Liberty and The Human Spirit

Smash and Grab are two older robots who work inside of an engine room. Smash hammers the glowing coal like energy source, and Grab shovels the coals into the engine. The two are tethered to the engine room destined to never see beyond the locomotive. 

When Smash sees newer robots outside the locomotive windows, he risks everything for freedom. This is a classic storyline of the human drive for freedom and liberty. Ultimately the pursuit of a better life is what drives the human spirit and even enables us to give up our lives to help our fellow man achieve the ultimate dream of liberty for all.

This film definitely has an older art-deco feel which adds to the charm. Another must watch short with a great teaching lesson for the kids – the unstoppable human spirit!

PIXAR’S SPARKSHORTS REVIEW of PURL

Theme: Women in a Male-Dominated Workplace

A big pink ball of yarn named Purl gets a job at a all male company. She learns how to fit in and to be one of the guys. However, when another ball of string shows up, will Purl remember who she is or will she turn her back on who she really is? 

Language: Purl does say the word ass. 

While this film tackles the “boys club culture” prevalent in some industries today, as a woman who grew up with only a few career choices, I see how far we have come. Furthermore women have relevant voices. 

After watching this film, I reflected on the countless women who enabled us to speak up and gave us platforms to be able to reach our target audiences, and the women who fought the system so long to be able to provide a living for their families. 

HAVE YOU SEEN ANY OF THE SPARKSHORTS?

Have you seen any of the Pixar Sparkshorts? Which is your favorite and why? Do you agree with my Pixar Sparkshorts Reviews? As Pixar releases new ones, check back here for my thoughts and reviews!