You’ve never seen a film like this before.
A bold statement I know, but from the opening credits you’ll be blown away by the creativity and ingenuity of Hundreds of Beavers.
In this story of survival and revenge set in the 19th century, an applejack farmer’s crop is destroyed by a bunch of beavers. He’ll have to survive in the freezing cold with nothing but his wits and a fetching pair of long johns to brave the winter.
Unique Blend of Live-Action and Animation
Although there is this overarching story, Hundreds of Beavers is more like a collection of black-and-white cartoons mixed with a Buster Keaton silent film. From one scene to the next, you never know what’s around the corner. What really helps set Hundred of Beavers apart is its mix of live-action and animation and oh yeah, did I mention that the beavers are people in costumes? Well they are, and it’s just another original aspect of this film to enjoy. I know it may sound like a lot of things thrown together but somehow it all fits nicely into a fun tale.
Written and directed by Mike Cheslik, you can see the love that has gone into creating this world and the characters who inhabit it, meaning that the behind-the-scenes videos are almost as entertaining to watch as the feature itself. The cast, crew and creator have worked hard to stretch their budget and still deliver a quality feature. By the director’s own admission, the black-and-white style helps hide a multitude of sins.
In keeping with the old-timey style, hardly a word is spoken, letting the fun score and musical numbers help embed you in this cartoon world.
If this film has one flaw, it’s the length – it’s just too long. However, the constant change of scenery and mini-stories helps the movie tick over.
Hundreds of Beavers can be enjoyed by almost everyone, but I can’t imagine that younger kids will sit through a black-and-white movie with an almost two-hour runtime.
Rug up and lose yourself in this fantastically imaginative adventure.
Available in cinemas and on digital platforms now.
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