5/5 Great digital cinema...neither precious nor camp
  by Robert Edgar (Sunnyvale, CA United States)
Ryan is the best conceived and realized piece of cinema I've seen in several years. Built around a videotaped documentary conversation between two artists, it uses 3D modeling software to fragment the images, add tertiary levels of comment, and perform deformations of perspective that are entirely integral to the narrative. Everyone interested in contemporary cinema should study this work (not just watch it once).

4/5 Oustanding animation
  by E. V. Tucker (Dallas, Texas)
If you are a fan of animation or documentaries, this video is for you. Ryan's story is endearing, sad and fascinating - he is so strange and quirky, and its clear there is still something deep and worthwhile in what seems to be a "shell" of the man.

Beyond that, the animation is incredible - truly a talented artist at work here. I would love to see more.

5/5 Nothing Like It
  by Raymond Orkwis (Rockville, MD)
I recently watched "Ryan" just before watching Julien Temple's film on Joe Strummer, "The Future is Unwriteen," and it's a perfect pairing in a lot of ways, not least in how each film stretches the genre unexpectedly and successfully into metaville, where the documentary is of the filmmaker as much as it is about the subject (think Michael Moore, but without the noxious grandstanding).

But this is about "Ryan." Despite what I said comparing this with the Joe Strummer documentary, there is really nothing like "Ryan." Chris Landreth combines CGI cartoon images with hyperrealistic caricature and self-reflective and -conscious psychologizing with a genuine sympathy for the person that Ryan Larkin has become. It works on all these levels, and all in 15 minutes.

Don't miss the "making-of" documentary that is in the special features or Landreth's two other short computer animations. I don't know where he might be going with this style, but in "Ryan" he did something unique. If you're a fan of CGI or serious animation in general, check it out.

4/5 You want this.
  by Robert P. Beveridge (Cleveland, OH)
Ryan (Chris Landreth, 2004)

Ryan is an animated short--Chris Landreth, a contemporary artist, interviewing and mulling over Ryan Larkin, a retired artist from the sixties. It's about thirteen minutes long, it's quite good, it won an Oscar, and you should see it. But the reason you should own the special-edition DVD is the longer, non-animated documentary Alter Egos, which is about the making of Ryan, the art of both Larkin and Landreth, and the personalities of the two. It's fascinating to watch the interaction between them. It's as good as the short. This one's a keeper. *** ½

5/5 celebration of a great animator
  by D. Delvecchio
With the recent passing(Feb.14) of Ryan Larkin it is a good time to re-examine the work of an animation genius. This short film is very good and insightful and I think it is done respectfully and without exploiting its subject. The brilliant work that Larkin did do in his life makes this short film a celebration of his genius and his lasting legacy. The three films of Larkin's are a true revelation and are done with such technical skill and such a child-like love of life that it is hard not to be moved by them. They are truly beautiful works of art and Larkin's reputation as one of the greats is secure.