Burrow Review

When Disney/Pixar’s Soul (2020) was originally set for theatrical release in November 2020, there was also a short film planned to play in front of it: Burrow (2020). Both films, however, were subsequently released on Disney+ on Christmas Day 2020, “Burrow,” as part of Pixar’s “SparkShorts.” I was finally able to watch “Burrow” for the first time last week, so I thought today’s review could encourage you to do the same.

  “Burrow,” is cute, well-told, uproariously animated and entirely charming. It tells the story of a rabbit determined to build (or “burrow”) her dream home in the ground. She inadvertently keeps digging into spaces occupied by other animals, and ultimately winds up digging to the very “bottom,” of the burrow where she breaks a seal unleashing flowing water that endangers all. Finally, she learns of the value of asking for help, and teams up a ferocious badger feared by the other animals and they round up the others to dodge the water. Finally, all work together to help the rabbit build her own space.

“Burrow” has beautiful visuals. It uses 2D Animation just like the SparkShort Kitbull (2019) did the year before. Not only is the rabbit herself cute, but all the animals in the short are cute to look at. And as the rabbit digs through the burrow, it becomes easy to be curious what other animals she’ll encounter, and if she will ever achieve her goal of having her “dream burrow.” (Note that “Burrow,” is currently nominated for the Oscar for Best Animated Short Film also just like “Kitbull.”)

For music, “Burrow,” features compositions by Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart, including his Oboe Concerto. While Pixar Short Films typically have original music, the Mozart compositions intermix with the plot beautifully and are a great companion. 

The film was written and directed by Madeline Sharafian who began her career at Pixar as a Storyboard Artist on Coco (2017). Sharafian based the plot for “Burrow,” on her own career as an artist. Quoted in an interview on Disney+: “I’m the kind of person who doesn’t ask other people for help ‘cause I want to show them right of the bat that I can do it, so this film was kind of my way of envisioning what my life could be like if I ask other people for help.” 

Sharafian also explained that as a child, she loved looking at “cutaway shots” in movies, which is a shot that suddenly introduces something new to focus on, different from the main focus of the plot. To make a film with several cutaways was a dream come true for her. Sharafian also worked as a cel painter/animator on the short film Weekends (2017), which also received an Oscar Nomination for Best Short Animated Short Film; She was also part of the “Story Trust,” for the SparkShort Purl (2018). (Story Trust is a Walt Disney Animation Studios term that means artists who rely on each other to provide input and feedback about films being worked on at the time.)          

All in all, “Burrow,” is wonderful and inspiring short because it’s acknowledges that, when one has big goals to pursue, they should never be afraid to rely on others for help, at least every once in a while. Especially when part of a team/ or family, it’s when one relies on others that one can achieve goals in ways unpredictable and uniquely fulfilling.