Jacked In Reviews ‘Hundreds of Beavers’ (2022)

As we open on a black & white prologue showing a mixture of live action and animation, we see the infamous Jean Kayak’s (Ryland Brickson Cole Tews) first encounter with a bunch of pesky beavers – who bring about the destruction of his Apple Jack distillery. And with that, his quest for survival over the next hour and forty-eight minutes begins in Mike Cheslik’s Hundreds of Beavers.

Bringing innovativeness we didn’t even know we needed, this flick is very much an ode to the numerous comedic stylings of past heroes such as Buster Keaton and Charlie Chaplin – as well as incorporating enchanting Acme-esque antics throughout. It employs old tricks and techniques that still hold up but also elevates the visuals with technology that wasn’t achievable back in the day, luring you into a world where cartoon physics makes complete sense.

It’s not just a case of making it black & white, director, Cheslik and cinematographer, Quinn Hester have done something truly special here.

What truly stands out for this feature is its ability to know when to utilise the (purposeful) cheap look for comedic effect and when to be visually inventive. It’s not just a case of making it black & white, director, Cheslik and cinematographer, Quinn Hester have done something truly special here. Everything from the classic off-pacing to certain shots which feel very À la Dr. Caligari at times, makes every inch of this feature stink of effort.

Cast (human-wise, anyway), if they were transported back to the early days of motion pictures, it’s fair to say they would slide in front of the camera seamlessly. However, aside from the hilarious performances from those who make up the movie’s animals (special shout out to the hysterical gormless horse/man), it is actor and co-writer Tews who well and truly steals the show. Completely wordless throughout, as well as his humorous audible satisfactions, he can convey an entire scheme with a mere grin and eyebrow raise.

By facing off against nemeses in the form of ‘Hundreds of Beavers’ within this very entertaining silent (more or less) movie medium, it shows us that this particular format is just as golden as ever.

It delivers this absurd yet amazing story about a man’s persistence against the Northern wilderness. By facing off against nemeses in the form of Hundreds of Beavers within this very entertaining silent (more or less) movie medium, it shows us that this particular format is just as golden as ever. Culminating into a pièce de résistance of a finale, what initially seems like the futile slapstick efforts from a haphazard huntsman with zero survival skills, ends up paying off in a visually stunning spectacle adding another layer to this cinematic masterpiece.

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