Creators, Eric Paperth and Tyler March, pack loads of humor, creativity, and technical personality into their animated musical Sucks to be the Moon. The film follows the Moon who feels rejected by Earth and all of its inhabitants who express nothing but hatred towards the lunar loner. After living in the sun’s shadow for too long, the moon decides to leave its orbit and venture out into the solar system to find a new home, coming across the rest of the planets in the solar system. The story is incredibly comedic and entertaining, and it feels as if it goes by very fast in the best way possible.
The film never feels stale. There is always something to laugh at or engage with whether it’s an elaborate musical performance from a celestial being or simply a side character in the background whose nose is shaped like a penis. There are so many details to appreciate from the film. The makers wanted to take full advantage of the world and its characters to make the film offer more for the viewer. Every character is given a unique quirk and look that brings a distinct personality and they are all equally as entertaining. Even though the humans play a minor role in the story, they have some of the funniest lines from the film. Seeing all of these individuals interact with each other in this story is the best part. Many of these character dynamics play out in the musical pieces performed in the film.
Every part of the film feels musical in its nature, and not just the individual songs. Each character exchange and comedic beat plays off of each other so symphonically. There is an underlying rhythm that weaves through the film. The music by Rob Tanchum is both rich in its quality and its role as a storytelling device. The pieces don’t feel separate from any of the other scenes. It’s clear that there was great communication between Rob and the creators to make a soundtrack that would be a natural part of the world and characters rather than an addition to them. Every song is packed with clever and humorous lines that continue the comedy act in a musical manner. Even the song during the end credits gave me some of the hardest laughs. The music production not only gives each song an individual catchy melody but also sound textures that blend so well with the rest of the sound design in the film. The creative cuts and angles between shots and scenes are in alignment with that musical rhythm that guides the story. It is all so well-orchestrated and paced.
The film’s technical elements successfully contain and present the story in a way that is engaging, fun, and imaginative. The real magic comes from the film’s ability to translate the celestial bodies that we all know about into entertaining characters who play off of each other in such an amusing way. It’s easy to feel genuine emotion and empathy for the characters in this short animation. We can see ourselves in the moon’s shoes of comparing oneself to another or not seeing our own importance to those around us. This film is the full package and it left me wanting more. I could see this story being a whole series. I have seen it about ten times, and it honestly gets funnier with each viewing. That kind of rewatch value proves how much attention to detail, story, and production went into bringing this cosmic story to life.
Sucks to be the Moon screens at the Spring 2023 New Jersey Film Festival this Friday, February 10 as part of the Short Program #3. The film will be Online for 24 Hours and In-Person at 7PM in Voorhees Hall #105/Rutgers University, 71 Hamilton Street, New Brunswick, NJ.
To buy tickets go here.
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