The Awesome Animation and Ideas of
“Waking Life”
Waking Life is the hippest, most intellectual and mind-expanding animated film ever created. Fortunately, for those not near an arts theater, it should soon make it to a video store near everyone.
The plot would be hard to describe without giving too much away, so we will just say this: Imagine walking around town one day and having short yet incredible conversations with everyone you meet, on a range of topics which pretty much covers the span of human knowledge. The real trick to this film is that it makes introspection and contemplation entertaining! Sure, Disney utilizes this medium to reliably re-spin tales taken from Aesop and The Brothers Grimm, and Pixar has combined life-like computer-generated characters and double-entendre humor which simultaneously please young and old. Conversely, Ralph (“Fritz The Cat”) Bakshi, et al, have previously given us “adult” animations replete with dark themes, violence and even pornography to titillate and entertain voyeurs. The crucial distinction is that Waking Life is a SERIOUSLY HIP film meant for mature intellects… no predictable sugar-coating, no San Fernando market-tested editing, no sappy endings; Just the elation and elevation which results from an evening of good friends and good conversations. It leaves you with a feeling of discovery and growth, perhaps even vindication.
While the dialog will positively captivate deep thinkers, the uniquely trippy animation techniques alone should make this film a cult classic, at least among the head-trippers. Together, the plot, dialog and animation provide enough food-for-thought to nurish every mind over the age of 15.