“I’m Here” – Nathan’s Movie Challenge, Week 18
“It was the best dream in the history of dreams.”
So this will be the first short film I’ve watched for the challenge, and it’s obvious why it was selected for me.
Robots. ✔
Directed by Spike Jonze. ✔
Unconventional sci-fi romance. ✔
While this short checks all the boxes of what I’d certainly place into my cinematic wheelhouse, I came away feeling slightly underwhelmed.
I think it’s because the robots are SO humanized that they cross over into that “uncanny valley” territory where I can’t suspend disbelief. I’m constantly aware these are human actors wearing a bucket on their head.
It’s a novel approach, but it just rings false throughout. It doesn’t help that this (I really don’t want to use this term, but it seems dreadfully appropriate) “manic pixie dream robot” comes along to sweep our robot protagonist off his feet – almost literally. It’s all too painfully hipster to bear.
The effects are serviceable, and the way the protagonist falls apart – again, literally – is actually to its benefit, but it’s not enough to make it work. It could have benefitted from growing to a full-length immensely.
Also, apparently the whole thing was a commercial for Absolut Vodka somehow? I gotta say, I don’t remember seeing anyone drinking it – certainly not the leads.
Who are robots.
Who cannot drink.
Because they’re robots.
I’m Here was at the time of this review at #482 on my Flickchart Short Film list of shame (ranked #500 among the best short films of all time). Here’s how it entered my chart:
I’m Here vs. The French Connection
It’s all about the car chase.
I’m Here vs. A Few Good Men
A stellar cast with a tight courtroom drama beats a too-cool short. A Few Good Men wins.
I’m Here vs. Dude, Where’s My Car?
Dude, Where’s My Car? wins because of one genuinely funny scene – and the rest of the movie’s not terrible.
I’m Here vs. Mask
It’s been quite some time since I saw Mask, but I recall it being a real tearjerker. It’ll win the match.
I’m Here vs. The Adventures of Rocky and Bullwinkle
Yeah, that live-action Bullwinkle movie’s garbage. I’m Here wins.
I’m Here vs. Stalker
The art film that dares you to not hate it. I’m Here absolutely wins.
I’m Here vs. The Aristocrats
You’d think a film about comedians telling the dirtiest joke ever would be fun. Not so much. I’m Here wins.
I’m Here vs. Up
If it were the opening segment of Up vs. I’m Here, Up would win. It, unfortunately, has a whole lot more mediocre movie after it. I’m Here wins.
I’m Here vs. Jaws: The Revenge
I’m Here. For sure. It’s the worst among three terrible Jaws sequels.
I’m Here vs. Hellbound: Hellraiser II
The second film is really where we start to get to know who the Cenobites are, we get to see the chilling labyrinth of Hell, and get much more of Ashley Laurence – for better or worse. It sucks hard compared to the original, but I’ll actually let Hellbound: Hellraiser II win the last matchup.
I’m Here is now ranked #1319 out of 1404 movies on my Best Movies of All-Time chart.
It’s now my 31st favorite Short film and ranked 45th among the films I’ve seen from 2010.
Next up are Hot Fuzz and The Night of the Hunter. In the meantime, check out the other films I’ve ranked during the challenge.