The Early Hatchling Gets the Worm (2016) Reviews

• Visually fine, but that's it

  Horst_In_Translation2017-12-27

  The Finnish/American "The Early Hatchling Gets the Worm" is a 2-minute animated short film from 2016 that was apparently playing before the theatrically-released "Angry Birds" movie. It is a pretty long title for a really short film directed by Emmy nominee John Rice. We have the story of a freshly-hatched little birdie who makes friends with a worm. Now don't play with your food some might say, but this seems to be a genuine friendship between the two from what we see in here. I liked the looks of this little film, especially the bird looks good enough to star in something way longer too, but that's really all I liked. Story-wise it is not half as effective as it wants to be and same can be said about the rushed-in drama near the end involving another bird and the emotional component. Then again, how can it not be rushed in at this runtime? Oh well, you're maybe right. But still, I found this underwhelming as a whole. If there is any justification to see it, then because it is over so quickly, so you aren't wasting a great deal time here. I personally give it a thumbs-down though. Not recommended, you could see the ambition, but the talent and execution are never on par with what they wanted this to become. Watch something else instead. Final note: You can watch it wherever you are from and which languages you do(n't) speak as there is no spoken dialogue in it.