I don't believe this is what the commenter meant, but in any case I'm not against this short because it's based on a children's book or that its intended audience is that age - not at all! Many, if not most legendary animated movies were made for children; I just happen to believe this one was made terribly heavy-handed with its "message" - children thought history loved and cherished books and movies which were way more nuanced about bringing a positive message and did not shy away from conflicts.

>I found it really sappy in a bad way.

"Hate" is obviously a bit dramatic here, but man, this is exactly why I couldn't stand it! I would be cool with any other short winning it, but I have to say The Ice Merchants was the most special and my fav.

I didn’t hate it but it was definitely the weakest of the nominees. I found it really sappy in a bad way. The animation style was nice though.

I really liked Ice Merchants and My Year of Dicks. I would be cool with either of those winning

I didn’t hate it but it was definitely the weakest of the nominees. I found it really sappy in a bad way. The animation style was nice though.

I really liked Ice Merchants and My Year of Dicks. I would be cool if either of those won

I’d hope not. If he’s supposedly directing the live action HTTYD then he better not get worse

I don’t think it’s offensive but I do agree with you. I think animation is for everyone. Even though this is based on a “children’s book”, the short film is for everyone. As is the book.

Heck no. Spielberg has a few “big things” left in him I think. The guy is to industrious to not give a few more bangers.

Honestly the notion that animation is solely the domain of small children is offensive. And Oscar recognition of that false idea doubly so.

3.T.

At which point they'll release the E.T. trilogy Box S E.T.

Then all that's left is the crossover: WALL-E.T.

Spielberg is in his 70's. He's only got so many more films in him and he has been wildly successful. He's had the kind of success and acclaim that 99.9% of directors could only dream of. At this point in his life, he has nothing to prove and is just focused on making films he's passionate about. Maybe most people don't care about The Fabelmans (which was really good!) but he made it for himself, really, to process his feelings about his mother, his parents, his relationship with art and he's lucky to be in a position to be able to do that. I don't think he's ever going to go back to being the director he was when he was younger because he's just at a different stage in his life and career at this point and we would probably all be better off accepting that.

Okay. I understand. Agree to disagree

Full, of platitudes, or nothing but platitudes? Some of the best children books are of course choke full of positive messages, platitudes if you will, but there is SOME dialog, SOME action that paves the way for the message. However, this short had NOTHING but a message which was hammered again and again ad nauseam. Maybe you have a personal history with the story, fine, I'm stating my opinion and as you can see I'm not the only one. And I had a full lifetime of reading stories to my kids and now to my grandchild

Age has nothing to do with creativity.

I loved it. I’m also biased cause it’s one of my favorite books. The whole book is full of platitudes. That’s the point. It’s meant to be a simple, easy read for anyone…about kindness, love and friendship. The short film reflects the message as well as the artistry of the book. I’m sorry you didn’t like it.

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Watch it, and then report back.

I could not agree more; only diff for me the audience was way too polite, I didn't want to be the first to scream, lol.

All the other pieces are good, but there's some magic to the Ice Merchants that's very rare.

Why are ya’ll so mad over a short film based on a children’s book? 😂

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Statistically, yes. Most creatives peak somewhat young.

Really using EEAAO as a reference point for this?

He already made a movie in the same year that while not “ground breaking” was better than EEAAO.

The most heavy handed short almost always win the live action short Oscar and I hope that doesn’t spread to animated.

I think directors have a certain style. Consider the movies that are nominated and ask yourself if Spielberg could or would want to direct such a movie.

Here are examples of ones he'd probably not be able to make

• The Banshees of Inisherin
• EEAAO
• Babylon
• EO (the one about the donkey)
• Tar
• Decision to Leave

In a way, he's a bit like John Williams who has a signature style, and perhaps while it worked for a while, people wanted something different.

I’m not sure if he would do that. He said that Ready Player One was the hardest film he ever made since Saving Private Ryan.

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