Director and Animator Carlos Salgado’s “Wayback” is most appreciated as an experience more than a narrative feature and that’s fine. “Wayback” is a stellar and beautiful animated science fiction short that implements computer animation to unfold a tale about exploration and trying to save an alien world.
In the edge of the galaxy, a space explorer picks up a plant in a mysterious planet, but his return journey will put his determination to the test. “Wayback” is a marvelous looking movie, one with ace animation and a world that unfolds before our eyes in such a short time frame.
Much of Salgado’s animation style felt like a throwback to Genndy Tartakovsky with a hint of Moebius, and the amalgam works to help the delivery of the general concept. There’s so much world building within “Wayback” involving a mysterious explorer, an alien plant, their harrowing journey through time and space, and their inevitable landing that may or may not cost them their lives. The short film is dialogue free, but the vision is absolutely vivid and explodes off the screen in fantastic fashion.
I would have loved to know so much more about this journey, and what it means to this world we visit for a brief moment. In either case, I can’t fault director Salgado for keeping it short. It still manages to work wonders in its brief running time. The visions of space, and the urgency of galactic travel are just dazzling to watch, and I love the way director Salgado turns space travel in to something of a spiritual experience.
CINEJOY featuring CINEQUEST Artists is held from March 1st through March 12th.