Burrow

Burrow is a poignant animated short film released in 2020 by Pixar Animation Studios for Disney+. Directed by Madeline Sharafian and produced by Michael Capbarat, the film was initially scheduled to be theatrically released alongside Pixar's Soul, but it was instead released on Disney+ due to the COVID-19 pandemic.

The film is a part of Pixar’s SparkShorts series – being a groundbreaking initiative to identify new storytelling talent at Pixar and give them an opportunity to play out their creativity. Burrow earned an Academy Award nomination for Best Animated Short Film at the 93rd Academy Awards, which speaks volumes about its engaging narrative and visually striking animation.

The story of Burrow follows a young, ambitious rabbit with a dream of dug-out independence. She dreams of constructing her own exquisite burrow consisting of bakeries, bathrooms, and bedrooms with various associated amenities. To achieve her dreams, she sets out to dig her new house underground, imagining it to be perfect, just like the sketches she draws in her notebook. Hilariously, she lacks a clear understanding of the interconnectedness of underground burrows and tunnels and where she might end up when she starts digging. This sets the stage for a series of adventures and encounters that are told in an exceptionally compelling way.

One of the most appealing aspects of Burrow is its incredible 2D animation – a departure from Pixar's traditional 3D animation. The animation style is warm, handmade, and reminiscent of the work of Beatrix Potter, known for animal-centric children's books. This seemingly gentle, old-school aesthetic matches and enhances the story’s tone and narrative. Notably, every frame and every choice of color seem to breathe life into the plot and the characters, making the viewers feel more invested.

What makes Burrow stand out amongst other similar films are the implicit themes of community and acceptance beautifully woven by Sharafian. In her pursuit of perceived perfection, the young rabbit faces a series of unexpected and often comic encounters with other underground creatures like frogs, badgers, and moles. Unintentionally, throughout her endeavor, she keeps stumbling upon their dwellings, causing chaos and hilarity. There’s a myriad of visual humor presented through these encounters, and it beautifully showcases the variations of life that exist beneath the serene outer appearance of nature.

In the film, the young rabbit's journey primarily highlights the importance of asking for help and understanding that it's okay to lean on others - a seemingly ordinary lesson, but profoundly essential and universal. The film gently but powerfully pinpoints how perceptions of 'perfection' can often isolate individuals and make them more prone to problems that could have been avoided through collective effort.

Appealing to children and adults alike, Burrow beautifully balances the charm of an endearing character-driven story with a deeper, field-expansive exploration of life’s complexities. The film’s captivating six minutes give it a precious quality: the short running time never compromises its potential or storytelling richness.

Moreover, the film emphasizes the value of connections. It shows a myriad of interconnected wildlife habitats that are often overlooked and unappreciated - adding a layer of environmental message subtly portrayed via captivating narrative. The film successfully narrates this complex, layered story in such a short time in a way that's simple, authentic, and utterly heartwarming.

The composition by Andrew Jimenez lends a charming, folksy feel to the film, beautifully winding itself around the story, and enhancing the overall experience. The absence of dialogue in the film is perfectly compensated for by the musical cues and excellent character animation, which effortlessly convey the story and the emotions of the characters.

In its core, Burrow presents a universal tale with its heartwarming narrative and vivacious humor. It underscores the profound understanding that seeking help isn’t a weakness, and perfectionism can sometimes result in isolation and unanticipated issues. With its engrossing narrative, superb animation, and deeply relatable themes, Burrow is undoubtedly a brilliant addition to Pixar's catalogue and a must-watch for all animation enthusiasts.