Miracle Fish

Data
Title: "Miracle Fish"
Year: 2009
Length: 17 minutes
Director: Luke Doolan
Writer: Luke Doolan
Starring: Karl Beattie
Music: Frank Tetaz
Distinctions: Oscar nomination for Best Short (live action)

My reaction
Synopsis: a boy is having a crappy day, when everyone in his school disappears
How I saw it: in the theater, a couple days ago
Concept: Great.
Story: Bad. Poor storytelling. You have no idea what sort of movie you're watching until it's over; it sets up expectations without seeming to be aware of it, then just goes somewhere else entirely. The way it unfolds, I don't think there's anyone who wouldn't be disappointed at at least one of the apparent turns the story takes.
Characters: Indifferent. There's one great character who shows up at the end, but by that point I've already been convinced that this is a few different sorts of movies, all of which are somewhere where that character doesn't belong.
Dialog: Great.
Pacing: Bad.
Cinematography: Indifferent.
Special effects/design: Great.
Acting: Great.
Music: Indifferent. I don't remember it.
Subjective Rating: 6/10 (Okay). It has its moments, but it's just not a very likable film.
Objective Rating: 2.6/4 (Good).