The animation on this one is excellent, but the plot is not. I don't know if anyone can interpret the short's ending, but I couldn't. Maybe if you could, you would give it a higher rating. But if you are looking for astonishing visuals, then this one's for you, even if you don't get the "story".

The Cathedral is a stunning piece of work and I shake my head to this day at the fact it was looked over at the Oscars--for the Chubbchubbs no less! The argument could be made that for an animated short there is a whole lot that's actually animated. A solitary figure that walks around and takes in a strange environment. I've even heard it called a "glorified modelling reel."

To which I respond, has there ever been such a reel that strikes you with such awe... and I don't mean the kind of awe when you see some cool CG-whatsit... I mean the kind of awe that you feel when you walk into Notre Dame or take in Michaelangelo's famous ceiling... the kind of awe that real cathedrals are designed to inspire.

With a fluid combination of environment, camera work, lighting and music, 'The Cathedral' makes you *feel*... in the same way that the death of Bambi's mother triggered an emotional response... or that moment when Ariel takes her first breath of air... it's this unexpected jolt that comes up through your shoes and just grabs you by the throat.