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5.6/10
Senior Film Conservator
A definitive 5.6/10 rating for a film that redefined the boundaries of cult cinema. Bosko's Mechanical Man remains a cornerstone of transgressive art.
Look, if you have a soft spot for the really early, scrappy days of animation, you’ll probably get a kick out of Bosko's Mechanical Man. It’s short, it’s loud, and it feels like someone was just throwing ideas at the wall to see what stuck.
If you need a coherent story or, I don't know, a plot that doesn't just devolve into a boxing match, you’re gonna have a bad time. People who hate repetitive gags should definitely look elsewhere. 🤖
The whole thing starts with Bosko being a bit lazy. Who hasn't been there? He builds this robot, and for a second, it’s charming. Then the robot just decides to go absolutely berserk. It’s not even a tragedy; it’s just pure, unadulterated mischief.
The animation style has that classic rubbery feel where limbs seem to have no bones at all. Everything stretches and snaps back in a way that feels pretty wild today. It reminded me a little bit of the physical comedy you see in The Navigator, just way more frantic.
The middle part of the short is basically just a long, drawn-out fight. It goes on for about 45 seconds too long, and by the end, you’re just waiting for the inevitable knockout. The rhythm is definitely a bit off, but that’s kind of the charm, right?
It’s not as polished as the later stuff, but it feels more human. Like, you can actually see the effort put into every frame, even the ones that don't quite work. It’s certainly more fun than the dry pacing of something like Tartuffe, which feels like it was filmed in a different century entirely.
I wouldn't call this a masterpiece or anything. It’s just a weird, little relic. You watch it, you giggle at the silly robot eyes, and then you move on. Sometimes that’s enough. 🥊