by Chris McCullough

I’ve been a Plymptonite for many years now, and last year when Hair High came to Austin I forced my lazy arse to drive the hour-long trip to see it, since I knew if I didn’t my next chance to see it would be when I bought the DVD. I’m glad I did, because there’s nothing like a Bill Plympton film on the big screen with great audio.

This year I eagerly awaited Plympton’s new Oscar-nominated short film; ‘Guard Dog’ to hit somewhere close by so I could check it out, as it has been getting awesome reviews. I got lucky because the Animation Show hit Austin, and no matter how lazy I am, I knew it was mandatory I made the trip to see it.

The trip was fine, and we found the theater pretty fast, so there was no bad times to spoil my viewing of the show. Which brings me to Guard Dog, the first short to blast onto the screen. When the credit of Plympton’s name first popped up on the screen, the audience applauded loudly, with some cheers and whistles, which hyped me up big time. I wasn’t disappointed. Guard Dog tells the story of a hyper little mutt that begs to to be taken for a walk in the park by it’s master, only to bark insanely at anything that it feels may be a threat to it’s master, such as a bird, cricket, and even a flower. The dog has funny little visions of the horrible deaths these things have in mind for it’s master, and barks at them to save him, then prances as if it just saved the world, only to see another evil threat five feet down the sidewalk. I won’t give away the ending, but the ironic ending was hilarious, and the final shot was both sad and funny, and I found myself laughing and crying at the same time. Living with two chihuahuas, I can relate to this film completely, and I will keep the ending in mind anytime I take them for a walk.

Friends I went with said Guard Dog was the best of the bunch in the show, and I’d have to say I agree with them. It was very well done, and it has to be 5 minutes worth of Bill Plympton’s best work, both in the art and coloring. The audience applauded loudly at the end and I joined in enthusiastically.

Guard Dog alone would have been worth the hour drive to see it, and I recommend if you haven’t seen it, find a festival near you that’s showing it so you can experience it on the big screen while you have the chance. Overall, I’d give it 4.8 out of 5 ninjas. Keep up the great work Bill, you’re only getting better.