Short Film Review

Film Info:
A nerdy teenager, needs her mom's
new car to go on a date, but her mom won't let her drive the vehicle. She decides to steal it and something unexpected happens.

Written By: Valentina Pozzoli
Directed By: Alvaro Ron
Genre: Action
8 Minutes

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THE RED THUNDER ( 2015 )

  "The Red Thunder" as this films title clouded my mind with images of movies from the 90s. I can't quite explain why this was the case, it simply was. I always find it amusing how the name of something can make us believe it has to be a certain way. Take the name "Herb" as an example. Upon hearing that name, I envision a short, plump bald man with glasses when he is, in fact quite tall with a full head of red hair. My apologies to anyone named Herb, for any stares he may get from readers of this short piece. My point is that much like our vision of something from a title, this short film was simply not what I had thought it would be. If "The Red Thunder" was akin to an action film from 1990 in my small mind, in real life it was tall with long red hair... or in this case, anything but the blurry visuals that come off a VHS tape. Director Alvaro Ron helms an entertaining production that not only surprised the hell out of me, but also made me chuckle a time or two. Something exceedingly more rare now days.
  The technical elements of this short film are where it really shines. Written simply, "The Red Thunder" is a beauty to watch. Contained within are no traces of the usual "indie staples" that we've all come to look for. The lensing, lighting and look of this film rival anything a big budget studio produces, save any titles with a blockbuster budget. The look alone may just be the reason I loved watching so much. The fact it's edited together with a slick polished style sure doesn't hurt much either. "The Red Thunder" boasts some of the best production and post-production work I've seen recently, easily pushing it hands and feet above many others. With that written, the only question left is was it worth it? Even the best looking trash at the curb is still garbage. I'm happy to write that although not the most original story ever written, there's enough here to make a simple yet entertaining short. Combine that with some good work from the cast and the excellent production team and... you've got a contender! My only real peeve with this film is that I felt it was aimed at the younger generation; by younger I mean thirteen and under. Maybe it was. I was just expecting something a little more adult. Again, back to the "Herb" scenario. Still though, even some recent children oriented cartoon films have something to entertain the adults under the hood. I just can't help but think of what this movie could have been as I watched what it actually was. Overall that's a small thing to write about when the film looks and plays this well.
  "The Red Thunder" is a visual power-house crammed into a really short film. So long as you go into it expecting a lighthearted adventure, it won't let you down. The solid concept and brilliant execution from the production team, as well as the cast, easily push this movie above and beyond what most would consider decent. For me, this was time well spent and although seemingly a little juvenile to my eyes, the unintended side effect was that it made me feel that much younger again. Maybe there is something to the whole 1990s sounding title after all.

  "The Red Thunder" is currently being featured as part of the Seattle Shorts Film Festival. Check it out by clicking. http://www.seattleshort.org/the-red-thunder.html

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