A short that is both irrepressibly adorable and true to how these creatures move in real life, Piper follows a little bird as he/she (does that matter?) tries to get a little piece of clam that its mommy leaves for it on a beach. But the tide might come and sweep the bird away or back into looking like a messed-up little thing. It's an inspiring story that shows kids that if there's a little perseverance through the harsh waters that you can come out with something you didn't expect to get. Like many of Pixar's shorts it has a lot more depth than can be expected in a short running time, and the unique aspect to this is how the birds and ocean moves so closely as to how in life that it's only incredible that it wasn't done via digital-rendering on actual birds and clams and crabs and so on. And on top of everything else it's fitting to pair this with Finding Dory, which is all about taking on the odds against you to do what isn't expected - or, to put it another way, going past the limits of what is possible naturally.
60 Reviews
The best thing about "Finding Dory"...
planktonrules22 June 2016
Warning: Spoilers
I don't like sequels and rarely will I go see one in the theater. In fact, I rarely watch them period. To me, the films are a bit lazy and offer little, if anything, in the way of originality. Because of this, I was not thrilled when my daughter asked me to take her to see the film "Finding Dory". Fortunately, "Piper" was highly original and very enjoyable...and was clearly the high point of my evening.
The film is told with no words and is the story of a very timid baby sandpiper. Unlike the adult birds, it is afraid of the water...particularly when it's hit by a big wave. So how will this adorable little bird overcome its shyness?
The best thing about this film is the character design. The baby piper is adorable and is a great combination of a more realistic sort of CGI with a slightly cartoony character. Overall, the film was gorgeous and enjoyable...and rather sweet.
UPDATE: This film was nominated for the Best Animated Short Oscar. Considering the quality of "Piper" and the sad lot up against it this year, I think it's a shoe-in to take home the trophy.
The film is told with no words and is the story of a very timid baby sandpiper. Unlike the adult birds, it is afraid of the water...particularly when it's hit by a big wave. So how will this adorable little bird overcome its shyness?
The best thing about this film is the character design. The baby piper is adorable and is a great combination of a more realistic sort of CGI with a slightly cartoony character. Overall, the film was gorgeous and enjoyable...and rather sweet.
UPDATE: This film was nominated for the Best Animated Short Oscar. Considering the quality of "Piper" and the sad lot up against it this year, I think it's a shoe-in to take home the trophy.
Grasping the world with cuteness
Imdbidia15 January 2017
A sandpiper hatches and expects mummy to feed him, but that is not what Nature intended for this little bird, and he has to learn to feed on his own from the seashore. He is just so scared.
Piper, short for sandpiper, is one of the cutest short films ever. This is Pixar in its full splendor regarding the quality and polish of the animation, character creation and the way the story is presented. Most importantly, this is clean humour that speaks to adults, children, and people from all cultural backgrounds, anywhere in the world.
Piper is a slice of bird life, presented both with great realism and accuracy regarding pipers behavior in Nature, but transcends the purely observational by infusing Piper with a reminder of how exciting the world looks and feels when you are a toddler or a puppy. That sort of energy is perfectly captured in the film. Piper speaks, basically, of the magic of discovering the world for the first time.
Piper character is beautifully drawn and textured, cutest as cute can be, tender, innocent and naughty at the same time. Hugely huggable.
Not an inventive story or narrative, just it does what it intends to do to perfection.
Piper, short for sandpiper, is one of the cutest short films ever. This is Pixar in its full splendor regarding the quality and polish of the animation, character creation and the way the story is presented. Most importantly, this is clean humour that speaks to adults, children, and people from all cultural backgrounds, anywhere in the world.
Piper is a slice of bird life, presented both with great realism and accuracy regarding pipers behavior in Nature, but transcends the purely observational by infusing Piper with a reminder of how exciting the world looks and feels when you are a toddler or a puppy. That sort of energy is perfectly captured in the film. Piper speaks, basically, of the magic of discovering the world for the first time.
Piper character is beautifully drawn and textured, cutest as cute can be, tender, innocent and naughty at the same time. Hugely huggable.
Not an inventive story or narrative, just it does what it intends to do to perfection.
I just wanted to see more of it
0U24 February 2020
Quite possibly Pixar's best short film in recent years
TheLittleSongbird2 August 2016
Not just that, but perhaps the best Pixar short film since 'Presto'(which accompanied 'WALL'E' back in 2008, and this reviewer has enjoyed to loved all the Pixar short films) and even better than the still very enjoyable 'Finding Dory'.
The animation is rich in gorgeous, vibrant colour and even richer in meticulous in detail, the titular character is both cute and impressively real. One of the most visually detailed and real of all the recent Pixar short films. Also splendid is the music score, which enhances every scene and action and sears powerfully in emotion without resorting to use of a repetitive song or something.
Pixar excels better than most companies in combining humour and pathos, not only achieving an ideal balance of the two executing both beautifully. 'Piper' to me is the most successful of the Pixar shorts since 'Presto' at all three. The humour is light and is not the constant laugh-a-minute type, but what there is is subtle and genuinely funny.
Where 'Piper' is more successful is with the emotional elements, with it being one of Pixar's most legitimately poignant, the emotional impact is present throughout and tears, whether it's just wet eyes or proper bawling, are most likely guaranteed. Also don't think there's been a cuter Pixar short, with one of the company's most adorable and relatable titular characters, or a more inspiring one with a beautiful identifiable message delivered with surprising subtlety.
Overall, truly mesmerising. Forgot that it was a 6 minute short film and thought I was watching a piece of art. 10/10 Bethany Cox
The animation is rich in gorgeous, vibrant colour and even richer in meticulous in detail, the titular character is both cute and impressively real. One of the most visually detailed and real of all the recent Pixar short films. Also splendid is the music score, which enhances every scene and action and sears powerfully in emotion without resorting to use of a repetitive song or something.
Pixar excels better than most companies in combining humour and pathos, not only achieving an ideal balance of the two executing both beautifully. 'Piper' to me is the most successful of the Pixar shorts since 'Presto' at all three. The humour is light and is not the constant laugh-a-minute type, but what there is is subtle and genuinely funny.
Where 'Piper' is more successful is with the emotional elements, with it being one of Pixar's most legitimately poignant, the emotional impact is present throughout and tears, whether it's just wet eyes or proper bawling, are most likely guaranteed. Also don't think there's been a cuter Pixar short, with one of the company's most adorable and relatable titular characters, or a more inspiring one with a beautiful identifiable message delivered with surprising subtlety.
Overall, truly mesmerising. Forgot that it was a 6 minute short film and thought I was watching a piece of art. 10/10 Bethany Cox
Wanted more
lulubellew-1656712 July 2016
I am 55 yrs old and loved Finding Nemo and could not wait to see Finding Dory. I went today with a friend and after watching Piper I turned to my friend and told her even if Finding Dory was not great, Piper was worth the price of admission LOVED IT. (Finding Dory was good also but could not get Piper out of my head. Came home and looked it up on my computer and was excited to see a little teaser (as they called it) and teaser is correct cause it took you right up to the start of the adventure. Dang it I wanted to see it again. Whoever and however they did this animation needs to do some more of this, shoot I could have watched a how movie on Piper. Okay I know it is a short movie but could you throw in another teaser trailer. :-)
Piper was certainly another worthy Pixar computer-animated short
tavm10 July 2016
Shown just before Finding Dory, this short is about a young bird on the beach who's a little afraid of the waves when they move quickly especially when it's trying to get something. Everything in this one looks so lifelike, for a while, I didn't think it was computer animated at all! Both funny and a little touching, the minutes seem to go by pretty quickly by the time it ends. Such a natural feel looking at all those birds' movements not to mention the ocean when it movies to and fro most of the time. The 3-D glasses I viewed this with may have been a plus, I don't know. Certainly, I was riveted throughout this short. Really, all I'll say now is Piper is another worthy Pixar short.
Cute and a subtle message on the adventures of life
rajasri93-350-3415823 June 2016
Warning: Spoilers
Definitely one of the best parts of the Finding Dory experience. The little piper was not just adorable but the way the makers of Piper captured the beauty of motherhood, survival, nature and adventure in just 6 min is pure brilliance.
As always Pixar was able to successfully make short films more interesting. Sometimes the unexpected adventures are the most memorable. Though we are scared of a new beginning/change/any adventure, it can still turn out to be something you'd love. Life is all about the journey, the adventure. Take chances and may be we'd end up doing something amazing.
As always Pixar was able to successfully make short films more interesting. Sometimes the unexpected adventures are the most memorable. Though we are scared of a new beginning/change/any adventure, it can still turn out to be something you'd love. Life is all about the journey, the adventure. Take chances and may be we'd end up doing something amazing.
The best Pixar short EVER!
TheOneThatYouWanted23 June 2016
Warning: Spoilers
Wow. Just wow. This short is better than the movie that comes after it, Finding Dory. Funny thing is that this is the only Pixar short I can actually remember. It is only 6 minutes but such a powerful movie with a great message. Finding Dory is a pretty good movie but if it was flat out awful, I wouldn't have minded paying money to watch it because this animated short is just that good. Because it is only 6 minutes long, I'm not going to spoil it for you. But you're going to love it. The animation is great, you can tell they put love into the animation. The short is short but the story is kind of epic in its own way. The short is funny, touching, inspiring and magical. I'm tempted to by the Finding Dory BluRay just for this short.
Pipe up
Prismark1030 June 2018
Piper has beautiful detailed animation. The CGI is breathtaking and something only Disney/Pixar could come up with.
This Oscar winning charming animation has a moral that a little perseverance goes a long way.
Piper is a baby bird who needs to learn to feed with the other birds on the beach but the incoming wave that hits him makes him afraid to go back into the beach.
Piper gradually learns about the beauty of the ocean and it is nothing to fear.
This Oscar winning charming animation has a moral that a little perseverance goes a long way.
Piper is a baby bird who needs to learn to feed with the other birds on the beach but the incoming wave that hits him makes him afraid to go back into the beach.
Piper gradually learns about the beauty of the ocean and it is nothing to fear.
for more than the birds
lee_eisenberg29 January 2019
Warning: Spoilers
This Oscar-winning clever short from Pixar focuses on sandpipers. I wouldn't call "Piper" a masterpiece, but it was fun enough for its short period. I guess that the gist of the short was overcoming one's fears. Worth seeing.
The perfect prelude to Finding Dory
hoxjennifer8 October 2016
I saw this short in the theatres right before they played Finding Dory. In short, it was perfect. An adorable little piper learns how to forage for food and has to overcome its fears in the process. This short teaches the importance of perseverance and how sometimes you just have to be a little creative with the solutions to life's problems. It definitely preps the heartstrings for what is to come in Finding Dory... and cuteness factor aside, the animation is beautifully done. The water and feather detail on the birds are gorgeous just from an animation perspective. Really well done, and perfect with Finding Dory. I'd love to see Piper have his/her own film, to be honest. I would definitely pay to see the Adventures of Piper.
Adorable
utgard148 May 2017
Charming Pixar short about a baby bird that has to overcome its fears to learn to find food for itself. It's a very simple story but the simple stories are often the best ones. The animation is some of the most beautifully detailed I've seen from Pixar yet. The music is nice and cheery. It's really just a lovely, pleasant little cartoon that I can't imagine anyone but the grouchiest among us finding fault with.
Short and sweet
studioAT22 August 2016
I always forget when I go to see a Pixar film to review the little film that precedes the main feature. Not this time! 'Piper' is short, sweet, and leaves you thinking.
The animation is beautifully done and there's a lovely soundtrack to accompany it. I think since WALL-E Pixar have really taken confidence from the fact that they can do so much without words. Maybe in the future they'll do another pretty much silent film.
I think it's very easy to just see these mini films before the main feature and forget them. But on this occasion to beautiful simple storytelling meant that I could not forget to spread the word about this film.
The animation is beautifully done and there's a lovely soundtrack to accompany it. I think since WALL-E Pixar have really taken confidence from the fact that they can do so much without words. Maybe in the future they'll do another pretty much silent film.
I think it's very easy to just see these mini films before the main feature and forget them. But on this occasion to beautiful simple storytelling meant that I could not forget to spread the word about this film.
Sweet and Well Animated, Albeit Forgetful,
lesleyharris307 August 2016
Piper is a great animated short film with a well structured story and pitch perfect animation. It is very sweet, as we follow a baby bird struggling to get food on the shore of a beach, it is at times a little heartbreaking, making the end all the more rewarding.
On the other hand, it has little replay value. Many of Pixar's shorts are worth the watch again and again for me, such as For the Birds and Partly Cloudy, but Piper is not funny or unique enough to stand out like they do.
The animation is the star of this short, the movement of the birds, the beach, the water, is all stunning, almost life like, it is amazing how much detail the studio puts in to their work, even with shorts. While it may be forgettable, Piper is fun while it lasts and its worth the watch, which you will get to see before Finding Dory.
A young bird must learn to fend for himself and struggles for survival.
On the other hand, it has little replay value. Many of Pixar's shorts are worth the watch again and again for me, such as For the Birds and Partly Cloudy, but Piper is not funny or unique enough to stand out like they do.
The animation is the star of this short, the movement of the birds, the beach, the water, is all stunning, almost life like, it is amazing how much detail the studio puts in to their work, even with shorts. While it may be forgettable, Piper is fun while it lasts and its worth the watch, which you will get to see before Finding Dory.
A young bird must learn to fend for himself and struggles for survival.
Remarkable Animation
Hitchcoc22 April 2019
The folks at Pixar have a great eye for detail and the reproduction of the animal world (any world for that matter). While the story is almost overly cute, the little guy that is at the center is amazingly crafted and presented. He is receiving his little bird education as his mother moves him slowly through the steps he must follow to lead an adult life. Lovely.
The message of collage and adventures of life
rie-6318427 July 2016
The little piper is not just adorable but the way the makers of piper captured the beauty of motherhood,, survival, nature and adventure in just 6 min is pure brilliance.
The film is told with no words and is the story of a very timid baby piper. The best thing about this film is the character design. The baby piper is adorable and is a great combination of a more realistic sort of CG with a slightly cartoon character. Both funny and touching, the minutes seem to go by pretty quickly by the time it ends.
However, this story line is a little difficult for children. It is not easy to understand the process of getting shells.
The film is told with no words and is the story of a very timid baby piper. The best thing about this film is the character design. The baby piper is adorable and is a great combination of a more realistic sort of CG with a slightly cartoon character. Both funny and touching, the minutes seem to go by pretty quickly by the time it ends.
However, this story line is a little difficult for children. It is not easy to understand the process of getting shells.
If you love animals, you'll probably adore it!
Hellmant22 June 2016
'PIPER': Four and a Half Stars (Out of Five)
A 6-minute Pixar animated short film, that played in theaters before 'FINDING DORY', and it was also nominated for a 2017 Academy Award. This one is about a baby sandpiper, trying to deal with hydrophobia. It was directed by Alan Barillaro, and (like many Pixar shorts) the film contains no dialogue. The visuals are beautiful, and the sandpipers (in the short) seem to behave just like (I'd imagine) real sandpipers do. I love animals, so the story (and imagery) is really touching to me. The first time I saw it, I was actually in the wrong mood, or something, and I wasn't nearly as impressed with it as when I saw it again recently. It's another amazingly beautiful little Pixar film, and I think if you love animals, you'll probably adore it!
A 6-minute Pixar animated short film, that played in theaters before 'FINDING DORY', and it was also nominated for a 2017 Academy Award. This one is about a baby sandpiper, trying to deal with hydrophobia. It was directed by Alan Barillaro, and (like many Pixar shorts) the film contains no dialogue. The visuals are beautiful, and the sandpipers (in the short) seem to behave just like (I'd imagine) real sandpipers do. I love animals, so the story (and imagery) is really touching to me. The first time I saw it, I was actually in the wrong mood, or something, and I wasn't nearly as impressed with it as when I saw it again recently. It's another amazingly beautiful little Pixar film, and I think if you love animals, you'll probably adore it!
beautiful and fun
SnoopyStyle26 February 2017
A mother is trying to teach her young bird how to dig for clams on the beach in between the waves rolling onshore. After getting drenched, the little bird fears going back until it follows a family of hermit crabs. The little bird discovers a new and better way to hunt for clams.
There is no doubt that the CGI animation is top of the line coming from Pixar. The water, the colors, the birds, and the background are all drawn with detail and beauty. The story is also fun considering its short length. I actually laughed out loud when the little bird gets soaking wet. That's very rare for a short. It continues to be fun and compelling all the way to the end. The Oscar win is great.
There is no doubt that the CGI animation is top of the line coming from Pixar. The water, the colors, the birds, and the background are all drawn with detail and beauty. The story is also fun considering its short length. I actually laughed out loud when the little bird gets soaking wet. That's very rare for a short. It continues to be fun and compelling all the way to the end. The Oscar win is great.
Minute-for-minute, the animated short PIPER . . .
oscaralbert3 November 2016
Warning: Spoilers
. . . is much more entertaining than the feature cartoon FINDING DORY, which it precedes in America's Multiplexes. The title character of this brief offering is a fairly literal rendition of a sand piper bird. It does not sing and dance (like, for instance, Looney Tunes' "Michigan J. Frog"). Instead, this sand piper enjoys what the average viewer will see as a typical batch of daily adventures for such a bird. PIPER also features assorted crabs and clams, but NOT in the sometimes overwhelming numbers and implausible mixtures to be seen in FINDING DORY. For those parents with impressionable young children, PIPER proves that animation does NOT need to be a marathon of gross gags clotted around a marathon slog to some "moral of the story" or another. PIPER is much more congruent with the typical young child's attention span and bladder capacity. It's too bad the business model of American Multiplexes is not designed to show a couple batches of two or three PIPER's, separated by generous bathroom breaks, running on a continuous loop during theater hours.
A peaceful world is there.
MK_Movie_Reviews23 August 2021
Perfect
LindaY3 March 2017
A diamond of the first water. Pluck and determination win the day in this short animated story about a baby sanderling trying to find food for the first time.
I would willingly watch a whole movie about this character if they didn't gimmick up the story ("Piper falls in love," for example).
I would willingly watch a whole movie about this character if they didn't gimmick up the story ("Piper falls in love," for example).
lovely
Kirpianuscus26 February 2017
a spring day short film. all is seductive - the animation, the story, the humor and crumbs and drama and the inspired eulogy to life. short, the Oscar seems be a certitude for it. and not surprising because Pixar is the studio of challenges and "Piper" is a good example. so seductive than you see twice. at least. for its beauty, off course. but, in same measure, to rediscover the flavor, colors and emotions from other pieces of Pixar universe. and this did this short film lovely movie. for the small facts in new light. for to be the nice show for entire family. for the precious moral lesson. and, sure, for the soft air and the sound of the ocean and air as delicate embroidery.
Disney has swollen Pixar
guillermomirp7 November 2016
Warning: Spoilers
I have to say that I did not like Piper as much as others reviewers here. I liked the story, the detailed work and quality of the images, yes, indeed. But...
Pixar was for me a source of animated movies for adults. Clever, sharp, and deep. Disney was creating movies for kids with some rare hint to the adult audience, and Pixar arrived producing movies clearly for adults. Those included some fun and entertainment to kids as well, but mainly it was a good time for adults.
I can tell that since a few years ago this has changed. Now the last movies from Pixar are clearly childish, very interesting and funny, but childish. Piper is one more: I, as an adult, rather would like to enjoy the kind of feelings that Up, Wall-e, Toy Story, brought in. The fight-for-your-self and keep-it-up stuff is no longer attractive.
I hope the good Pixar will be back some day.
10 star for the image quality, 3 stars for the content: 7.
Pixar was for me a source of animated movies for adults. Clever, sharp, and deep. Disney was creating movies for kids with some rare hint to the adult audience, and Pixar arrived producing movies clearly for adults. Those included some fun and entertainment to kids as well, but mainly it was a good time for adults.
I can tell that since a few years ago this has changed. Now the last movies from Pixar are clearly childish, very interesting and funny, but childish. Piper is one more: I, as an adult, rather would like to enjoy the kind of feelings that Up, Wall-e, Toy Story, brought in. The fight-for-your-self and keep-it-up stuff is no longer attractive.
I hope the good Pixar will be back some day.
10 star for the image quality, 3 stars for the content: 7.
Piping up.
morrison-dylan-fan5 December 2016
Warning: Spoilers
After watching the superb Finding Dory,I decided to look at the extras.Expecting to just find a commentary,I was pleased to find a bonus short,which led to me piping down and watching the short.
The plot:
Going to get food with her mother,Piper gets caught in the tide of the ocean and becomes lost at sea.Finding some solid ground,Piper looks round and finds no sign of her mum anywhere. Relying on her mum for everything,Piper realises that she now must fend for herself.
View on the film:
Not featuring a single line of dialogue,writer/director Alan Barillaro makes each image worth 1000 lines of dialogue with exquisite animation. Keeping the Comedy to an earthy level, Alan Barillaro sends Piper flying who startling photo-realistic designs of endless sea and wet sand which Piper has to dig into in order to survive.Shown as the short before Dory,the screenplay by Alan Barillaro perfectly complements the main feature,as each subtle move of Piper's feathers captures the self-discovery Piper flies off to make.
The plot:
Going to get food with her mother,Piper gets caught in the tide of the ocean and becomes lost at sea.Finding some solid ground,Piper looks round and finds no sign of her mum anywhere. Relying on her mum for everything,Piper realises that she now must fend for herself.
View on the film:
Not featuring a single line of dialogue,writer/director Alan Barillaro makes each image worth 1000 lines of dialogue with exquisite animation. Keeping the Comedy to an earthy level, Alan Barillaro sends Piper flying who startling photo-realistic designs of endless sea and wet sand which Piper has to dig into in order to survive.Shown as the short before Dory,the screenplay by Alan Barillaro perfectly complements the main feature,as each subtle move of Piper's feathers captures the self-discovery Piper flies off to make.
See also
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