Movie #3407 ........................."The Last Ranger" (theatre)

 Movie #3407 "The Last Ranger" (theatre)  This is the 4th oscar-nominated live action short for 2025 , and it deals with the subject of poaching rhinos -- which I didn't know was a huge problem in the animal world.   We are introduced to a son and his dad, who leaves for a new job --- it was such a short scene, I totally forgot about him by the end of the film, so I was left a bit confused momentarily --- my fault, I think, because with short films/stories, we must look at all the details and remember them --- every word becomes important in a short film like this.  Anyway, the little boy leave his place to find his dad later, and he hooks up with a female ranger who tries to give him info on the poaching --- of course, that's when a couple of dangerous poachers with guns approach .....we, like the little boy, are thrust into awareness of just how cruel the world can be to animals.  I'd give this one a 4.5  ---the positives are the cinematography, the musical score, the careful set up of shots of the animals and the locations, the tight story.....it was a bit lengthy toward the end where pacing slowed down, but otherwise, well done.  Both the topics of this one and the first one on immigration are important, but I felt the one on immigration was more powerfully presented.  This is a good one, though, if you get a chance to see it.

"THE LAST RANGER"    2024        28 mins

Nominated for the Best Live-Action Short Film, 2025, this multi-award winning short is the second film in the anthology called, "When the World Stopped".  Longline:  When young Litha is introduced to the magic of a game reserve by the last remaining ranger, they are ambushed by poaches.  In the ensuing battle to ave the rhinos, Litha discovers a terrible secret.  

Director:  Cindy Lee

Writers:  David S. Lee, Darwin Shaw, Will Hawkes

Actors:  Ayumille Qongqo, Liyabona Mroqoza