There's a Man in the Woods perfectly ties animation with spoken word. Instead of simply writing a poem then animating it, the two elements clearly depend on one another. Some lines use images to deliver their final punch (the final words say it all); some images need the monologue to convey an emotion.
Another fusion of two elements in There's A Man In The Woods: the narrative. The story cuts between a montage of the past and the mysteries of the present, all through the eyes of the teacher.
If there's any complaint to be made, it's that he doesn't sound exactly middle aged if you think about it. Whilst this is true, it doesn't matter; the pure emotion of the voice actor's performance sells his character. Every line is delivered with an ounce of realism.
The animation is excellent. I've always adored the whole coniferous-trees-and-empty-roads vibe, and this film nails it. The art style explores a range of colours, balancing a large palette with a dark tint. The animation isn't smooth, but it doesn't need to - I'd rather watch a heartfelt hand-drawn film than some flashy Saturday-morning cartoon jazz.
All in all, There's A Man In The Woods is an underrated masterpiece, begging for more attention.
