Plymptoons - The Classic Works of Bill Plympton (Special Edition)

Rating:
Summary: A mixed bag
Review: -- but the good ones are very good.

The disc starts with samples of Plympton's early, student work. That's probably of interest to the hard core Plymptomaniac, but I'm not in that category. I found them missable.

Some of the later pieces are outstanding, though. "Your Face" is a twisted classic, an non-stop exercise in transformation. "How to Kiss" (especially the 'nibbling kiss') and "25 ways to stop smoking" are among the more memorable.

Plympton's usual style is spare, simple scenes on a blank white background, drawn in colored pencil. Given the amount of computer-generated japanimation around, it's an enoyable change of pace.

Don't come to this animation looking for "Bugs Bunny" or "Fantasia." It's in a different class altogether. If you're ready for a different look, and for some mind-bending takes on everyday events, give it a shot. You might find yourself hooked.

//wiredweird

Rating:
Summary: It's greater than great
Review: Being a young animator. I look up to Bill Plymtom because he is original. He shows that animation is so much more than just cartoon network and Disney. In this short film he definitely takes you thtough an experience that you will never forget because this work stands out from all the rest. I was amazed watching what you could really do with a face till you aren't even sure it's a face anymore! I recommend this to anyone that you should watch it at least once. I personally loved it and i think anyone reading this will too.Having met him at the World Animation Celebration in Hollywood was a treasure. I even got an autograph from him in my sketch book. After you watch it you will know why and you'll want his autograph too.

Rating:
Summary: nothing new
Review: Bill Plympton has not evolved as an artist. He has one style and one gimmick. Five minutes into the tape you are waiting for some sort of story to kick in, but it is all set up and dragging punch line. What is all the fuss about?

Rating:
Summary: Cool!
Review: Bill Plympton is an amazing animator and I think everyone who loves animation should own "Plymptoons!!"

Rating:
Summary: Very unique brand of humour....
Review: Bill Plympton's works are not for those people who like to see explosion in movies and who like to have distinct, obvious and relatively simple punchlines to their jokes. His brand of humour is subtle, and it seems to appeal to people with real brains to poke at. Very unique trademark animation style. This tape brings together the best and impossibly worst animations of one of animations foremost geniuses. (and even the worst ones are well worth it!) If you like this, try migraine boy! Good all around!

Rating:
Summary: this is crap
Review: Don't waste your money. There are 19 shorts:
-Four of them are just commercials and who wants to pay money to watch commercilas? They're not even good commercials.
-One is a stick drawing from 1968 that is just a guy buying a package from a man a copuple of times
-Another one of them is 15 seconds long that shows the MTV logo
-Two of them are unfinished and are pointless
-And all of them are boring.
If you were in a highschool art class you might say "wow that was pretty good," but other than that it is a waste of time.

Rating:
Summary: Bill Plymton's sureal visual mind is wonderfull.
Review: For those enlightened few who are aquainted with Bill Plymptos's work, the real world seems happier and brighter. One of the most creative people I know of, Bill Plympton will be remembered as a great wierdo. Some of his best animation, although by no means all, is collected here, including Boomtown, One of those days, and Plymptoos.

Rating:
Summary: Fantastic!
Review: I spent 2 years (this is before I had a computer) looking for this tape collection. I first saw it at a party and became obsessed with it and Balance is always a crowd favorite. It is well worth the trouble to find it.

Rating:
Summary: This is a great tape, but you can't buy it from Amazon
Review: I waited 2 months to be told Amazon doesn't have this in stock. I ended up purchasing it in three days from Movies Unlimited. Amazon should take this off their catalog. Now that I'm doing complaining, this is a must have if you attend Animation Festivals. 1 hour and 40 minutes of escapism. "Balance" is my personal favorite.

Rating:
Summary: AKA Plymptoons done the right way....
Review: If there is any confusion between this DVD and 'The Complete Works of Bill Plympton', relax, this is very nearly the same DVD.

The "Classic Works" differs from "Complete Works" in that it is a more complete version than the previous VHS and DVD editions of "Plymptoons". The director's commentary, which was badly needed in the first transfer to DVD, finally makes an appearance in this version. Bill's commentary is the reading of some notes at the beginning of each short, some technical, some biographical, all interesting in spite of the monotone in which it is delivered. But, hey, Bill never claimed to be an actor. This version also has a few more 'extras' in the form of a stills gallery. The gallery has some key frames, as well as concepts passed over from "25 Way to Quit Smoking". Also, at the end of "Plymptoons 1990" there is a little extra film footage. There are also a few additional shorts in the 'Rarities' section.

This version is also more NC-17 than the older releases, which are more PG. NOTHING Bill does should ever be called PC, so please don't expect moments of happy smiley crap to come floating out of the screen. The interviews are frank, with some colorful language and explicit footage of some of his later works. For those wishing to encourage the younger animator, the "Complete Works" version is much better suited for the younger audience.