100 Beavers, (Unironically a Masterpiece)
CLyon
One hundred Beavers is a low-budget 2022 slapstick comedy that would not look out of place surrounded by early 20th-century talkies. This story “follows an AppleJack maker, Jean Kayak, who, in trying to win the hand of the merchant’s daughter, finds himself in conflict with beavers.” “he must go from zero to hero to become the greatest fur trapper in North America.”
with only a 150k USD budget. Director Mike Cheslik shows that old-school storytelling and practical effects still have a place in modern cinema. Within the first fifteen minutes of this film, there is a beautifully animated party sequence similar to the likes of Monty Python and the Holy Grail. A sassy fish puppet with a lot of charm and emotion in its few moments on screen. Then a beautifully absurd scene of a bunch of men in giant beaver costumes pulling a sley. Besides its ‘Ironic’ visuals, it’s a classic story of men vs. the wilderness, with less of a gritty feel and more of a reliance on funny mishaps that befall us. Like becoming so lonely from your journey in the wilderness that you create a snowman girlfriend, then just to believe its silence is a sign of rejection, which then leads to the early demise of your snowman girlfriend. It’s unessential in the best way. It shows you a banana in the middle of snowy wilderness, then diverts your expectations by not slipping on it but falling into an ice fishing hole right next to it. It’s also not afraid to go all in on a bit. There are several scenes where he will be accomplishing his goal, only to be stabbed in the foot by a pinecone a few seconds later. However, it’s also not afraid to be emotional; after several of his mentor’s dogs get killed by wolves, Jean tries to defend the last one, but fails. His mentor ends up sacrificing himself so Jean can live. This leads to a revenge plot to kill the wolves.
Overall, it’s a great film with Looney Tunes-type visuals that doesn’t take itself too seriously. With a lot of heart, and you should watch it, it’s free on YouTube.
