Journey to Mars (2005)
Journey to Mars (Viaje a Marte) is an animated stop motion short film. This independent production, which was made in Argentina, is the result of two years hard work. Since then, it has won 50 awards in different festivals around the world, competing in many cases against real action productions. The short tells the story of Antonio, a boy from the 60s, who is a great fan of science fiction tv serials and space trips. In view of the child's passion, his grandfather decides to take him to Mars in his tow truck.
Watch Trailer
Cast
Similar titles
Reviews
Terrible acting, screenplay and direction.
A Major Disappointment
A lot of perfectly good film show their cards early, establish a unique premise and let the audience explore a topic at a leisurely pace, without much in terms of surprise. this film is not one of those films.
Exactly the movie you think it is, but not the movie you want it to be.
Saying that VIAJE A MARTE is like an Aardman film is quite the complement. Aardman is the same amazing studio that has brought us Wallace & Gromit, "Sean the Sheep" and CHICKEN RUN and they are the premier stop-motion film studio in the world. VIAJE A MARTE (TRIP TO THE MOON) is about as good as anything you'd see from Aardman--with masterful stop-motion and a delightful story from start to finish.The film begins with a little boy watching a television sci-fi show about Martians. The kid then runs about playing like he's an astronaut. When he bumps into Grandpa, the old man asks the kid if he wants to go to Mars. Naturally, the kid wants to go and Grandfather tells him that his tow truck can make the journey! So, they go off on a long drive--during which time, the kid falls asleep. When he awakens, they appear to be in the desert and there is a restaurant/souvenir stand where Grandfather buys the kid a souvenir space helmet. The boy is thrilled--he got to go to Mars. However, when he later goes to school and tells everyone that they went to Mars by truck, everyone laughs at him.Years later, the boy has grown and the television is now announcing the first manned space flight to Mars. You can tell the guy is wistful--as that was hid childhood dream. What happens next, you'll just need to see for yourself.The film has among the best clay stop-motion I have seen. It is extremely fluid and beautiful. While man of the characters' faces are a bit simple, it works wonderfully, as they are adorable. I also thought that the grandfather's face was just terrific. As far as the sets go, they were amazingly complex and gorgeous. In addition to the great clay work, the music and story are wonderful--making this not only an artistic triumph but an overall triumph as well. This is a treat that unfortunately too few people outside of Hispanic countries will ever get to see--so see if you can find a subtitled version. It's a shame, as the film makers did an astounding job.
This short animated piece captures the very spirit of film making...it is all real in the end. A young boy, after watching a serial about adventures to Mars decides he wants to go to Mars. The boy's grandfather, equipped with a special '56 Ford F-100 tow truck takes the boy to Mars. The boy returns to his home knowing he had been to Mars. Others doubt his story. Story telling is meant to inspirational (I don't mean the pallid goody-two-shoes sort of inspiration, rather inspiration -synonymous with moving, or activating). At its heart Viaje a Marte confirms that while the cold hard facts of our lives may be debatable, the ability to find a spirit to our dreams is what makes a life. Being animation this "story" is told through the narrative of the film, but as well through the brilliantly characterized faces (including the "face" of the F-100). See it if you can.