Review of Paperman (2012) by Ian Y — 17 Mar 2013

"Paperman" is Disney magic at its finest. Without a single word, Disney Animation Studio tells a romantic love story that reminds us that you will find love where you least expect it and that if it is meant to be, it will work out no matter how difficult the circumstances.

The storyline is simple and develops an impressive depth of character as well as a strong emotional connection to the characters in a mere 7 minutes. The comedy is great throughout the short, like the hovering boss and the little boy with the balloon on the subway, but the best part is the animation.

This unique blend of a 3D world in a classic pencil-drawn style adds to the nostalgia of the film. The black and white animation gives a classic feel and emphasizes the only color in the film, the red of the girl's lipstick.

While much of the film has a minimalist feel, the lead characters are very visually appealing (and you're crazy if you think that the main guy doesn't look like Jim Halpert from "The Office.

") Outside of the story, there are some very memorable images during this short, particularly the flock of paper airplanes as they lead George to Meg. Everything is tied together with the picture montage during the closing credits.

"Paperman" may have been the introduction to "Wreck-It Ralph," but it stands on its own as one of the best animated shorts out there.