REVIEW: Disney Animation Returns with First Short in 5 Years, Us Again, and Shows No Signs of Rust

It has been five years since Walt Disney Animation last released a short film and many would think that the company would have some dusting off to do, but they did not miss a beat with their new short, US Again. If anything, the company has just gotten better!

US Again follows an elderly couple, a man who has lost his passion to do anything and his young at heart wife who wants nothing more than for him to find this passion again. As the wife begins to give up hope that her husband will never find his passion again, the viewers watch as the couple revisit some old memories as they dance their way through their colorful city and rekindle that missing passion.

What a great short! Director Zach Parrish, choreographers/dancers Keone and Mari, and composer Pinar Toprak knocked it out of the park with this one. The music, dance, and animation weaved together so seamlessly, creating a vibrant world, filled with joy and life. You couldn’t help but bop along with the leads as they danced their way across the screen in search of the husband’s missing passion. The short is also told entirely with no dialogue, so Parrish, Keone and Mari, and Toprak had their work cut out for them trying to make sure the audience understood what was going on. But the words were not missed at all. The dancing and the music easily described the emotions emitting from our stars, leading to a clever, completely understandable, fun-filled short.

Unfortunately, Us Again will only be available for those who plan to see Raya and the Last Dragon in theaters. Fans who watch it on Disney+ Premiere Access will have to wait until June to watch it on Disney+. For those who do not plan to see Raya in theaters, and that is okay, make sure to check out Us Again when it is released on the streaming platform in June, it will be worth it. The short will leave a smile on your face and a pep in your step after seeing it.

Grade: A