Logorama (2009)

Police chase an armed criminal in a version of Los Angeles comprised entirely of corporate logos.

Directors:

François Alaux, Hervé de Crécy

Writers:

François Alaux (screenplay), Hervé de Crécy (screenplay)

Stars:

Bob Stephenson, Sherman Augustus, Aja Evans

Won 1 Oscar. Another 8 wins & 5 nominations.

Cast

Credited cast:
Bob Stephenson	...	Ronald / Bibendum Mike / Bibendum Sheriff (voice)
Sherman Augustus	...	Bibendum Mitch (voice)
Aja Evans	...	Esso Girl (voice)
Joel Michaely	...	Big Boy / Green Giant / Mr. Clean (voice)
Matt Winston	...	Haribo (voice)
Andrew Kevin Walker	...	Pringles Hot & Spicy (voice)
David Fincher	...	Pringles Original (voice)
Greg Pruss	...	Chopper Pilot / Pillsbury Doughboy (voice) (as Gregory J. Pruss)
Josh Eichenbaum	...	M&Ms (voice)
Jaime Ray Newman	...	Dispatch Girl - Radio (voice)
Rest of cast listed alphabetically:
Pauline Moingeon Vallès

Storyline

Somewhere in a vibrant and colourful interpretation of sunny Los Angeles where corporate logos and mascots simply rule, a sexy Esso Girl waitress takes her cigarette break, while at the same time, a murderous, gun-totting Ronald McDonald runs amok on the busy highways. As the clear signs of a vehement seismic activity foretell an ominous future, will the Michelin Man police officers stop the unhinged psychopath before he blows the whole town to smithereens?

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Plot Keywords:

blow | psychopath | psychotic | bottom | nice | 

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Taglines:

Spectacular car chases, an intense hostage crisis, wild animals rampaging through the city, and even more, will have you at the edge of your seat in... LOGORAMA!

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Genres:

Animation | Short | Action | Comedy | Crime

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Certificate:

R

Did You Know?

Goofs

When the Michelin Man cops are parked outside the KFC, the Ghostbusters "No Ghost" logo Stop sign is facing them with the ghost's head on the left (as it is customarily displayed in North America). When the cops pull away, the sign is shown from the other side, and the ghost is still facing the same way. When seen from the other side, the ghost's head should be on the right - as seen later on when the the Esso Girl and Big Boy are getting into the abandoned cop car.

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Quotes

Michelinman Mike: [after getting berated by his boss] Captain Douchebag.

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Crazy Credits

After the scrolling end credits have come to an end, a bald, toothless Ronald reappears to give a quick laugh.

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Connections

Referenced in Animation Lookback: The Best of Stop Motion - Aardman (2014)

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Soundtracks

YUM YUM YUM
Performed by Joe Tex
Written by Joe Tex
Published by Sony/ATV Songs LLC
From The UK Sue Records Label Story album released by Ace Records Ltd.

User Reviews

Clever, stylist and satirical – all in an engaging, smart and fun way

In a city made completely of corporate logos and branding, two cops shoot the breeze until they spot a fugitive from justice and give chase leading to a cataclysmic conclusion.

Whether or not it is intended as a commentary on the nature of American "culture" (and I think it is), this is a remarkably well made short film that mixes clever ideas with a real understanding of the genre that they are using as a vehicle to their satire. To deal with the surface first – this film is very clever in the way it utilises brands and logos in every aspect of the world it creates. Not all of them will be recognisable but the design of them will make them unmistakable as brands even if the names escape you. It is startling how many you will recognise and, while some have complained that the film is little more than a game of "spot the brand", I did think that the high hit-rate was perhaps part of the point and it was a point well made.

If the film was only a cleverly use series of logos then perhaps this may have been a valid point, but the short goes onto to spoof American movies and culture by delivering all this in the middle of a high-octane crime thriller where everything goes up to 11 and, if it can be destroyed in glorious Technicolor, then it is. It gets this spot on and shows a real understanding of the genre. OK the Tarantino-esque chat is a little obvious but past this the direction and framing of the shots and "camera" movements could all be taken straight out of many blockbuster action movies – movies perhaps that are accused of product-placement with their cars, watches, drinks etc etc. In this way the film actually engages beyond "spot the logo" and "isn't America morally bankrupt?" because it delivers an exciting action short with plenty of movement and style.

I really was surprised by how enjoyable it was. I would have liked it to have had a bit more teeth in regards the satirical aspect to it but this part still did just about work for me. Beyond it though I can understand why some did see it as all style and logos because the logos are used really well and the style is genre-perfect. A very clever short film that deserves credit for not wallowing in the smartness of its idea or for being snide or acerbic in its commentary.

Details

Official Sites:

Official site

Country:

France

Language:

English

Release Date:

14 May 2010 (USA)

Also Known As:

Логорама

Company Credits

Production Co:

Autour de Minuit Productions, Canal+, Little Minx Films

Technical Specs

Runtime:

16 min

Sound Mix:

Stereo

Color:

Color

Aspect Ratio:

16:9 HD