HUNDREDS OF BEAVERS Review: The Best Movie You’ve Never Seen

Introduction

Hundreds of Beavers are taking the film world by storm. The film currently holds an 85% on Rotten Tomatoes and 78% on IMDb, yet many have never heard of the film. Many have dismissed it as ridiculous based on its juvenile name. And who could blame them? Upon hearing it the first time, I was certain I would see something silly and lacking in any virtue. I couldn’t imagine where all the hype was originating. How could a film called Hundreds of Beavers generate such sweeping, universal praise? Put quite simply: it’s just THAT good.

Synopsis

Hundreds of Beavers tells the story of Applejack brewer Jean Kayak (Ryland Brickson Cole Tews). A local hero of North American woodsmen, hunters, and trappers, he lives a charmed life, celebrated by all as he supplies those (and himself) with his grog. This prompts festive songs to his greatness. Alas, a few chomps from some wanton beavers send his operation asunder in spectacular fashion. A defeated Kayak emerges from the snow with nothing to his name but his corporeal being.

Broken but undaunted, Kayak sets himself to the task of survival. He battles cold, hunger, and preternaturally devious forest creatures. After the hurdle of warmth is leapt, Jean tries repeatedly to trap rabbits for food, running afoul of raccoons, woodpeckers, flies, and eventually wolves. All of these creatures cause mischief for our hero. However, his limitless spirit finds him giving his bootstraps an encouraging pull at every turn.

A Hero’s Journey

Jean Kayak certainly doesn’t begin the film as a hero. As we follow his compelling journey we often wonder if one will ever emerge. Assuredly, his skills begin to improve, and before long the buffoon befriends an accomplished fur trapper. He acts as something of a protégé as they gather wares for the trading post at the edge of the forest. There Kayak meets the merchant’s daughter, who shows him there is something more to fight for than mere survival. As the two become closer, the merchant makes it clear that the only dowry fit for his daughter is, you guessed it, Hundreds of Beavers!

Watching Kayak level up throughout the runtime is reminiscent of the best parts of watching a playthrough of The Legend of Zelda. Rounding out the human cast is a Native American forest dweller who trades with Kayak on occasion. This increases his effectiveness and ability to navigate the harsh Northern American forest. As Kayak works feverishly toward his goals, and away from imminent death, the machinations of the hundreds of beavers within the forest both perplex and menace him. This is until there is nothing left but a final confrontation to determine who will emerge as the master of the forest: them or him.

A Winning Formula

As delightful as this all sounds, what makes Hundreds of Beavers stand apart from any number of period independent films? The simple answer is “inventiveness.” Filmmaker Mike Cheslik simultaneously leans into cinematic tropes while throwing the rule book far over the horizon. He eschews dialogue and character exposition for a silent-era sensibility that favors slapstick and mixed media animation over a clunky third-act CGI fight sequence.

Hundreds of Beavers appears to be what would result if a filmmaker who grew up on Chuck Jones cartoons, Star Wars, and video games, and had access to way too many animal costumes decided to make a Buster Keaton feature. What emerges is a fresh, fast visual feast that repeats gags with perfect comedy calculus. But it’s just short of overuse and paced with perfect callback frequency.

Avoiding the pitfall of the bloated third act, Hundreds of Beavers comes alive in its final stretch, featuring one of the most delirious fight scenes ever put to film followed by a snow sled chase that features shot-for-shot recreations of Return of the Jedi‘s legendary speeder bike sequences. The whole debacle climaxes to a cartoon ending that will find those who’ve invested their time cheering out loud and feeling immense satisfaction.

Conclusion

Many an actor would find themselves intimidated shouldering a largely dialogue-free feature with such madcap energy as this but Ryland Brickson Cole Tews makes the whole affair seem effortless. He exudes star power as the onscreen antics ramp up to further heights of insanity, delighting viewers all the while.

Some frames of the film give one the impression that Terry Gilliam is trying to adapt Frank Miller’s Sin City, and the overwhelming amount of furries on screen at any given moment is worthy enough of a chuckle. While I may have seen films this year that are objectively “better” there has not been a viewing experience that has affected me as much to grab every passerby by the lapels and beseech them to “WATCH THIS MOVIE!”

Hundreds of Beavers excels at cinematic storytelling, leaning into slapstick and visual gags over clunky exposition or laborious character development. What emerges is a lean, hilarious, and brilliant film that challenges viewers while simultaneously rewarding them with the most exhilarating cinematic experience of the year.

Hundreds of Beavers is still playing in independent cinemas around the world and is available to rent on most streaming platforms.

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