Review of the Morris Lessmore movie and exhibit by Tim Hoff

Sneak peek: The Fantastic Flying Books of Mr. Morris Lessmore at Artspace Shreveport
Originally uploaded by trudeau

Fantastic Flying Books: more than just a children’s story.

After walking past a cane, crosshatched with a goofy looking hat, sitting on a dark stand, this writer’s attention was grasped by the amazing flying books hung from the ceiling and the mantle of pages, sketches and other works from the two year work effort it took to bring, The Fantastic Flying Books of Mr. Morris Lessmore, to life.

William Joyce, Brandon Oldenburg, and fledging media production company MOONBOT Studios graced Artspace with an exhibition detailing this two year ordeal.

Joyce, who came up with the concept while on a flight to New York, helped to make this movie like no other, with the help of miniature models, tons of props, a brilliant workforce, and modern advances digital animation.

The short is the story of a funny looking man, Morris Lessmore, and how he was touched by the flying books; his experiences with them turn him from a sad hue of grey to a man filled with color.

Inspired by Joyce’s love for books, hurricane Katrina, and The Wizard of Oz, this short will defiantly leave the viewer with questions and some food for thought. It’s a “must see”; there is something for everyone, as-long as you don’t have an aversion to Pop! goes the weasel and the many clever variations made to it by John Hunter.

- Tim Hoff