Really did want to like 'Plus Electrification' a lot more than turned out. The story of how the Soviet Union got electric power did sound interesting and even more interesting was to tell it through animation. Am also a great fan of Soviet animation, have made no secret of that already, and am actually familiar with some of Ivan Aksenchuk's other work. What was seen was good to great, including the exquisite versions of 'Cinderella' and 'The Little Mermaid'. Both of which played to his strengths more.
'Plus Electrification' doesn't do him justice and really isn't one of the best Soviet animated shorts out there. It is more ambitious than those two, but doesn't emotionally connect and has not held up anywhere near as well too. Will admit though that this is the type of short film that tends to not be my cup of tea. The subject on paper sounded interesting, but the execution to me wasn't and was very patchy in most areas. It is definitely bizarre in how the subject is executed, but there is not much that is beautiful other than one aspect.
That aspect is the visual style. Which is not only impressive, but also interesting and full of atmosphere. The skilled use of split screen and the beautifully strange and colourful animation do look great. When the music is not being too heroic sounding, it is quite haunting.
Did think too that 'Plus Electrification' ended quite well and the look into the future was the most interesting it got.
Sadly it did feel like it took a while to get to that point. 'Plus Electrification' is a very short length but it feels a lot longer, due to too little story and over-stretching the little there is. Also found it very heavy-handed and one sided in the way electricity is portrayed, of course it would have felt like a big achievement at the time but the over-celebratory folky song, how electricity pylons are used as characters to represent what went on to make it happen and music reminiscent of celebrating the return of battle survivors felt like overkill.
Although most of the production values are fine, the live action footage didn't strike me as necessary and looks primitive. As well as the dullness and heavy-handedness, a big problem with 'Plus Electrification' is how it has really not aged well. For something made in the 70s, the atmosphere and the attitude to the subject felt very 40s.
Overall, didn't do it for me sadly but take a peak at it for curiosity. 4/10.
