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Parents Television Council Reviews	Share |
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Toby Thompson’s life is miserable. His older sister picks on him. His parents, obsessed with their job at Black Box Industries, barely know he exists. Worst of all, Helvetica Black (the daughter of his parents’ boss) hates him and has her brother’s gang bully him every day. But when the magical Rainbow Rock, which has the power to grant any wish, appears and makes the rounds of the neighborhood kids and parents, Toby – and everyone in Black Falls – is launched on the adventure of a lifetime!

There is little content of major concern to parents in Shorts. The bullying Toby undergoes is realistic and rather extreme (other kids stuff him into garbage cans and throw rocks at him, knocking him out at one point; and Helvetica causes him to topple out a window and break his arms). There is some minor hitting and slapstick comedic violence in the movie. Because children obtain the power to make their dreams come true, there is a large amount of fantasy violence and action: one boy makes dinosaurs, man-eating crocodiles and venomous snakes appear, and at another point one character turns into a giant robot, while others turn into gigantic insects. Foul language is limited to a few non-profane insults, though Helvetica is occasionally called by her (appropriate!) nickname “Hell.” 

The most problematic content in Shorts is the large amount of “gross-out” kiddie humor. Toby is seen brushing his teeth and spitting on several occasions. A pterodactyl defecates on one boy, who also crawls down a crocodile’s throat and emerges covered with partially-digested food. Helvetica places a live fish in her mouth and threatens to swallow it. Toby’s friend “Nose” constantly picks his nose and flicks the contents about. When one gets tangled up in his mad scientist father’s experiment, the result is a gigantic “booger monster” which chases the kids around. Remarks Nose to his father: “All those years you told me not to eat my boogers – and now my boogers are trying to eat me!” While parents may find such gags tiresome, the movie’s target audience of pre-teens will likely think them hilarious.

Shorts does emphasize several good lessons (in addition to not picking one’s nose). A friend encourages the bullied Toby with the words, “It’s not who they think you are – its who you really are, and who you want to be;” one boy constantly warns of the perils of making wishes without knowing the consequences, and Toby remarks, “Make sure you’re wishing for something WORTH wishing for;” and the film concludes with the community united in agreeing that “the power to move mountains is in all of us – if we work together.”

Shorts is a rollicking comedy/adventure with a unique presentation style; the movie is told out of chronological order and is split into several “episodes,” each telling the story of one person or group when they obtain the magical Rainbow Rock. With its wild blend of fantasy, action and comedy, Shorts is sure to be a favorite with kids. The Parents Television Council does not recommend this movie for children under age seven. 

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