North Texas Daily

Pixar just released the first clip of “Bao,” a sweet story of a lonely Chinese mother suffering from empty nest syndrome, and it looks like it will be a true heart warmer.

The sneak peak opens with a mother who has just finished cooking a dumpling and is sitting at the kitchen table. She suddenly hears a noise come from the dumpling, and the dumpling suddenly transforms into a baby, with legs and arms popping right out of it. The mother becomes enthusiastic, and her expression shifts to a loving stare.

Pixar animated shorts have always caught my attention. They are short and endearing, yet within those handful of minutes, everything comes together. Not to mention they are owned by Disney, another powerhouse for animation.

Disney has a reputation for telling great kid’s stories. Whether it creates princesses or makes toys come to life, the animation is appealing to the eye.

Short films definitely capture the attention of the audience, since the time is shorter than a feature film. You don’t have to wait an hour or so for the ending — a perfect film for the impatient movie-goer.

As a devout Disney/Pixar fan, I appreciate the many different types of stories told. This animated short will be different because of the director and her background. Chinese-Canadian-American director Domee Shi, the first female director to direct a Pixar short film, has based this story on her own experiences, according to Cosmopolitan.

With personal ties and real-life experiences, any story can be told. Yes, short films are brief, but the information placed must be thought-out. Cutting out the right amount of footage and clips is crucial for the influence of the film.

There is so much room for uniqueness. One of the most memorable animated shorts Pixar recently produced with was “Inner Workings.” This film expressed its message with no words and pure emotion.

I think we all have to realize the significance of these films. They were made for our enjoyment, just like feature films. But there is a difference, and different isn’t always bad.

This film will only be eight minutes long, thus giving us the opportunity to replay it over and over again.

Short films have been a part of Walt Disney’s company since the 1920s. “Bao” will be coming out in June as the introduction for the much-anticipated “Incredibles 2.”

Look at it this way: with every short film placed before a movie, we are basically given a mini gift.

Enjoy the uniqueness. Embrace it as a gift.

Featured Image: Illustration by Gabby Evans