BootDigest Such a frustrating disappointment

Stometer Save your money for something good and enjoyable

Dirtylogy It's funny, it's tense, it features two great performances from two actors and the director expertly creates a web of odd tension where you actually don't know what is happening for the majority of the run time.

Alasdair Orr Actress is magnificent and exudes a hypnotic screen presence in this affecting drama.

Hermione Granger This is super sad, but it is real sweet. I don't like that we have things to do with slaves, but the song(s) are really good, and the story heart-touching. The animation isn't completely finished, but it's still great; I love seeing a bit more hand-drawn Disney. It definitely needs to go above 6.8 stars and needs to be more well-known. If people enjoy something like "Lava," then they seriously need to see this, which has dialog and more of a song. Again, super sad but real sweet.

TheLittleSongbird Disney films and shorts were a huge part of my childhood, and many are still hold dear to my heart. As someone who was introduced to it very recently, 'John Henry' will never go down as one of their greatest achievements but it is a long way from being one of their very few duds.There is not really that much at all wrong with 'John Henry'. To be honest though some of the animation was also not to my taste, was not a fan either of the (clearly intended) unfinished look to some of the drawing especially the constant coming and going pencil lines. The animation is certainly not without its meticulous detail and vibrant colours though, and while it hearkens back to the style of something like 'Paul Bunyon' it is a little more appealing, while lacking finesse the character designs are noticeably less blocky.However, the music, adopting a soulful spiritual tone, is outstanding, sung with real passion and exuberance. If there is anything about 'John Henry' that can be greatly admired especially, it is how it clearly knew what it was trying to do and who to aim it at, and succeed totally at these aims. It was very brave to have a darker tone to the story, with the tackling of heavier themes, in a period where Disney noticeably took less risks than in their "Renaissance" period from 'The Little Mermaid' to 'Tarzan', and it is dealt with touchingly and never feels tonally muddled or distastefully dark nor does it feel preachy.'John Henry' is very nicely written, with heart and sensitivity, and the characters while not complex are likable and relatable to the audience. The voice acting is strong.In summary, interesting and touching if unusual. Some of the animation was not to my taste but everything else works. 8/10 Bethany Cox

MartinHafer The traditional story of John Henry is brought to life in this very unusual Disney short. I like some of the unusual qualities...one in particular I didn't. The quilt-like look and colors were great--and really eye-catching. I also liked the nice spiritual style of the music which dominates the film. What I wasn't so fond of was the unfinished look that the animators deliberately used--with pencil marks appearing and disappearing throughout the film--like they forgot to erase them. Stylish? Perhaps...but I thought it made an otherwise good film look unfinished. As for the story, it's pretty much the familiar folk tale--about an ex-slave named John Henry who does battle against a steam-powered machine and wins...at a big cost. Worth seeing but it just missed the mark.

Horst in Translation (filmreviews@web.de) "John Henry" is a 10-minute animated short film by Disney from 15 years ago. The director is Mark Henn, who worked on many Disney classics and still does today. This is his only directorial effort though. It is about a young, very muscular man who helps shaping the path for the American railway after slavery was abolished. He even moves a mountain. In my opinion, this was not a great short film. The story was okay all in all for 10 minutes, but not for much longer. Henry runs into another obstacle, solves it. Another obstacle, solves it. And in-between, we keep hearing some mediocre singing, which is sometimes really rather shouting. The good thing i can say about this is that it was a brave movie to let the main character die in the end, but this is probably also only because that's how it was in the tale. Anyway, a tad too patriotic for my taste and even if it was probably intended to make look as old as the Oscar-nominated Paul Bunyon, I think this is just not enough for a 21st century movie. Not recommended.