Crashcat is a spunky sci-fi CGI short from Swedish filmmaking duo Brian Ellis and Daniel Kruse. Set in a far off future, cats are being selected for a space mission. Crashcat (Wolfie the Cat) must endure trials and tribulations on her final exam. She is tested for both her athleticism and IQ. After dealing with irritable robots, Crashcat must fight them and prove herself in a battle of wits.
These robots eventually catch on to her tactics. They taunt her with treats and even try to destroy this crafty feline. Crashcat’s resilience and fiery passion will not keep her down, no matter the circumstances.
“Set in a far off future, cats are being selected for a space mission. Crashcat (Wolfie the Cat) must endure trials and tribulations on her final exam.”
Ellis and Kruse’s short is a wonderful concoction of slapstick and futuristic fun! Crashcat’s design is beautifully rendered by Daniel Claesson, which embodies the scrappy artwork of an imaginative kindergartener. Her round face and slightly off-kilter eyes stand out in a world where animated characters lean towards nostalgic pastiche, pop art, and anime-inspired aesthetics. While those aesthetics have their merits, it is great to see ingenuity in character design. The lighting and texture by Magnus Byström and Emil Karlsson is detailed and convey believable worldbuilding. Space and the sky have a speckled paint/marker feel to them. The smoothness of the robots contrasts with Crashcat’s bouncy and textured design. The cinematography goes from a sterile blue to an intense orange, which times efficiently with the physical comedy. Even the pixelated holograms add to the patchwork combination of unusual textures.
Paul Meyer’s sound effects are both mechanical and comical. The use of Wolfie the Cat’s natural meows alongside tech clanking and laser sounds contributes to the suspense! Ellis and Kruse created a memorable character that embodies the mischief we come to expect from anthropomorphic animals. This proves that some archetypes are timeless.
If you love science fiction and lighthearted animation, Crashcat is an engaging comedy that will surely entertain the whole family.
"…These robots eventually catch on to her tactics. They taunt her with treats..."
