The Looking Planet

The Looking Planet is an animated short film written and directed by Eric Law Anderson. Released in 2014, the 17-minute film has quickly become a classic and features the voices of Samuel Hery, Joe Cappelletti, and Cindy Robinson. Hery, Cappelletti, and Robinson bring their characters to life with impressive skill, making audiences feel a connection despite the remarkable setting and circumstances of the story.

In this cosmic adventure, the main plot centers around Engineers, a universal race of cosmic beings tasked with the mundane operation of running the universe. The Engineers are portrayed as an advanced civilization with the power to manipulate matter and energy on a cosmic scale, carrying out the duties assigned to them by an even higher entity, which is the Attractor. They guide the development of life, the course of galaxies, and dictate the broad strokes of existence. Though infinitely wise and powerful, the Engineers have grown complacent with their task, working with little enthusiasm or creativity.

Within this grand set-up, the story focuses on a young Engineer, voiced by Samuel Hery, who dares to defy the stoic monotony of his brothers by indulging his curiosity. This leads to a discovery of an unenviable planet that was overlooked in the grand design of the universe. What happens to the planet and how it changes the life of the Engineers and the entire universe's grand plan makes up the film's crux.

The short film is not purely heavy and introspective, though. There are moments of humor and irony contributed by the Engineer's mentor, voiced warmly by Joe Cappelletti, who seems wiser and older but also resigned to the deterministic universe. Meanwhile, Cindy Robinson takes on multiple roles, demonstrating her remarkable range as a voice actress.

The world-building in The Looking Planet is unique and original, presenting a conceptual view of the universe that differs from the often anthropocentric approach of other science fiction films. Anderson’s screenplay is a blend of intricate narratives and heady concepts, that are artfully presented in a way that is both entertaining and enlightening.

The Looking Planet has a minimalistic yet highly effective animation style. The Engineers' design is solid and straightforward without falling into the trap of humanizing them too much. The broader universe itself is visually stunning, with celestial bodies and energy fields depicted in a way that beautifully captures the awe-inspiring vastness and mystery of the cosmos. The visual effects are seamless, immersing the viewer in the stunning heart of the universe.

Aside from its captivating graphics, The Looking Planet offers an ethereal musical score, which perfectly complements the divine ability and majestic surroundings of the Engineers. The music, coupled with excellent sound design, bringing the galaxy to life around you, altogether giving a surreal feel to the film.

Overall, The Looking Planet is a thought-provoking creation that keeps the viewer engaged throughout with its smart screenplay, engaging character dynamics, and an imaginative universe behind it. The multidimensional narrative of the film allows it to be interpreted on various levels - philosophically dissecting the purpose of existence and the power of curiosity, highlighting bureaucratic rigidity and stagnancy, presenting the eternal conflict between routine and creativity, or simply letting it be a visually stunning, fun, and adventurous tale.

In conclusion, the brilliance of The Looking Planet lies in its ability to convey a rich, complex narrative within such a short span of time. The film successfully manages to blend grand cosmic themes with relatable human elements, skillfully presented through stunning visuals and capable voice acting. Whether you're a fan of nuanced animation or just looking for a thought-provoking short film, The Looking Planet is a must-watch. The film's thought-provoking nature leaves the viewer pondering the core of our existence long after it ends, and its playful approach towards the cosmos provokes a sense of curiosity and wonderment.