Tony (2018): A (Short) Film Review

It’s quite rare that you find short films that live up to expectations than the longer, more ‘fuller’ experiences you get from a full feature-length film. Short films need to nail down one critical component of a film, the story-telling, within only minutes, yet are expected to give the satisfaction of a complete story. However, we’re in an age and time where stories have evolved beyond that of a full feature-length film. Short films were always sort of pet projects for fans to showcase their passion for a franchise they love, but nowadays, short films have evolved to a much different beast than it was once before.

I was approached to review the short film, Tony, directed by Perry Lam, an up-and-coming director. It told the story of a man named Tony, a survivor of the end of the world, who is tasked to press a button every 12 hours to prevent the world from ending again. Yet a simple premise holds so much possibility but can Tony deliver? Let’s find out, shall we?

Atmosphere: 8/10
All good sci-fi films use the setting and atmosphere to support its story, and Tony is no different. Masterfully using its dark and grim backdrop to remind you of where this story was set, in a world that is no longer the one we are so familiar with, it feels like a character in the story as well, and helps to anchor the viewer in the whole plot of Tony’s story arc in the film.

Plot Development: 10/10
I’m a sucker for good narratives, and although Tony was a bit cliched in terms of its presentation, it  lived up to my expectations and more. It explored both the ideas of obedience to a higher authority and freedom of choice and ran with it, presenting a well-told story of a man breaking free from the shackles that bound him to a somewhat meaningless existence.

Overall: 9/10
Tony was a film that knew what it wanted to be from the moment you press the play button. Its use of broad themes that you would find in by other longer, more mainstream sci-fi films was conveyed using easily digestible sequences, making it easy to understand everything happening on screen yet it still keeps to the most important rule of storytelling: more showing, less telling. If you haven’t checked it out and would love to do so, why not do so here: https://sofy.tv/filmviewer.php?c=film&f=255? Till next time!

 

Sherman

Disclaimer: I have no affiliation with Sofy as a service and this is not a sponsored post, however I was approached to give my review for the short film, Tony, and this review contains my honest thoughts about it. Cheers!