Shorts

Name: Shorts
Genre: Fantasy, Comedy, Family
Released: August 21, 2009
Duration: 89 min
Rating: 53
Cast: James Spader, Jimmy Bennett, Kat Dennings

2009

METASCORE

Mixed or average reviews based on 22 Critic Reviews

See All

USER SCORE

Mixed or average reviews based on 42 Ratings

See All

4.5

VOTE NOW

0 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10

4.5	Your Score
4.5	User Score Mixed or average reviews based on 42 Ratings

Would you like to write a review?

There is a 75 character minimum for reviews. If your review contains spoilers, please check the Spoiler box. Please do not use ALL CAPS. There is no linking or other HTML allowed. Your review may be edited for content. 0/5000

Check box if your review contains spoilers

Play Sound

Please enter your birth date to watch this video:

You are not allowed to view this material at this time.

Shorts

Now Playing: Shorts

Movie Details & Credits

Warner Bros. Pictures | Release Date: August 21, 2009 | PG

Starring: James Spader, Jimmy Bennett, Kat Dennings

Summary: Eleven-year-old Toe Thompson is the designated punching bag for the bullies of the suburban community of Black Falls, where his and everyone else's parents work for Black Box Industries, makers of the do-it-all gadget that's sweeping the nation. But during a freak storm, a mysterious Rainbow Rock, which grants wishes to anyone who finds it,Eleven-year-old Toe Thompson is the designated punching bag for the bullies of the suburban community of Black Falls, where his and everyone else's parents work for Black Box Industries, makers of the do-it-all gadget that's sweeping the nation. But during a freak storm, a mysterious Rainbow Rock, which grants wishes to anyone who finds it, falls from the sky. Suddenly, the neighborhood that Toe already thinks is weird is about to get a lot weirder. As the Rainbow Rock ricochets around the town--from kid to kid and parent to parent--wishes-come-true quickly turn the neighborhood upside down in a wild rampage of everything from tiny aliens to giant boogers. The magical fantasy adventure Shorts is told through a series of interwoven not-so-tall tales that each brings to life the sometimes wonderful, often terrible, and totally out-of-control wishes that become far more than Toe and his neighbors ever imagined. (Warner Bros.)… Expand

Director: Robert Rodriguez

Genre(s): Fantasy, Comedy, Family

Rating: PG

Runtime: 89 min

See All Details and Credits

Watch Now

Buy on

Stream On

Expand

Metascore

Positive:

Mixed:

Negative:

Critic Reviews

Justin Chang

More zippy, diverting fun from Robert Rodriguez's family filmmaking factory. Read full review

Jennie Punter

Rodriguez, is a hack in the best sense of the term, often serving as producer, director, writer, shooter and composer – all of which come into play for Shorts . Read full review

Andrea Gronvall

Magic vies with technology in this exuberant adventure comedy, which unfolds achronologically in a series of zany, effects-laden vignettes. Read full review

Mark Jenkins

A preachy parable of suburban discontent, Shorts probably has enough kid-oriented slapstick to please the under-12 set. But it's not likely to rival writer-director Robert Rodriguez's "Spy Kids" series in long-term appeal. Read full review

M. E. Russell

I'm not sure if parents will be counting out each of Shorts 89 minutes or not, begging for it to end, but I'm guessing 8-year-olds will absolutely love it, because Rodriguez isn't talking down to them or using pop-culture references in place of actual gags; he's making what might be called eye-level children's entertainment. Read full review

Betsy Sharkey

The problem with Shorts is in the execution. The blown-up plot line at times derails even the little ones, the many fine comedic grown-ups are mostly squandered, and the "message" part of the movie feels like it was thrown together during detention, resulting in a wrap-up that is rushed and cloyingly PC. Read full review

Kyle Smith

The movie is as lumpy and misshapen as a giant booger. Read full review

SEE ALL 22 REVIEWS

Write a Review

User Reviews

Zilcell

May 26, 2012

The shorts out of order thing is obviously a weird gimmick to attempt to make it seem cooler. It does get a little out of hand, but my family found it to be pretty fun to watch

0 of 3 users found this helpful03

CineAutoctono

Dec 19, 2015

Children have their own history , but they get a stone short , hatching so embarrassing , or not put as a story , rather short , but the script is so fun , the same special effects to movies "Spy Kids" but very damaged the plot

0 of 3 users found this helpful03

RickA

Sep 15, 2009

This was one of those that was just o k. I did not like or dislike this movie. Worth the money is a question only you can answer after seeing this one.

3 of 4 users found this helpful

FreedomFighters

Nov 21, 2016

Yeahhh...no. After "Spy Kids 3D: Game Over" and "The Adventures of Sharkboy and Lavagirl" were poorly received, Robert Rodriguez was determined to give it another go with "Shorts," but unfortunately, he didn't really do a great job with it. While the idea of a number of short films combiningYeahhh...no. After "Spy Kids 3D: Game Over" and "The Adventures of Sharkboy and Lavagirl" were poorly received, Robert Rodriguez was determined to give it another go with "Shorts," but unfortunately, he didn't really do a great job with it. While the idea of a number of short films combining into one story might seem like a great idea, the film itself just isn't very charming, funny, or entertaining at all. And while the film seems to be aiming at children, I'm sure children might even find themselves getting bored by this film. In all honesty, I really hope that in 2009, if your kids really wanted to see a live-action "kiddy film," you took them to "Aliens in the Attic" instead, because at least that movie was competent. "Shorts" is incredibly bland, and unless you feel like torturing yourself a lot, or need some kind of kid's film for "Bad Movie Night," make it a point to ignore this film.… Expand

0 of 4 users found this helpful04

Agentep99

Jan 27, 2022

Probably one of the most bizarre experiences I've had watching a movie, nothing makes sense, and everything is needlessly over the top, there's no way someone wrote this trying to make the best movie they could, it is so bad it could unintentionally come off as a parody, and even thoughProbably one of the most bizarre experiences I've had watching a movie, nothing makes sense, and everything is needlessly over the top, there's no way someone wrote this trying to make the best movie they could, it is so bad it could unintentionally come off as a parody, and even though basically nothing happens in it, it feels terribly dragged out… Expand

0 of 0 users found this helpful00

RayzorMoose

Nov 16, 2013

Shorts is far too long.
The movie is absolutely terrible, horrible kids movie, and just awful in general. The script is bad, the acting is bad, and the entire premise is just terrible.

0 of 4 users found this helpful04

corpep

Dec 20, 2010

not worth seeing . so a magic rock , big deal . if i could rewind time i would not see it . everybody was booing . i understand . it is like unwashed ripped shorts !

0 of 4 users found this helpful04

SEE ALL 14 REVIEWS