It combines animal life - a mother sandpiper refusing to feed her baby and pushing it towards the sea to begin feeding itself, and the baby's attempt to overcome its fear of water - with the help of some hermit crabs to make an under five minute delight of a short film. As usual with Pixar, the CGI helps an already compelling story, rather than take the place of it. The animals do not speak. The story is "told" through the expression of the animals and their actions. What a delight. The baby sandpiper is very expressive as it deals with the parameters of its new world and its own fears. The entire thing is just the definition of cute.
Just look at the Pixar short "Knick Knack" from 1989 and see how far animation has come in 27 years.
Just look at the Pixar short "Knick Knack" from 1989 and see how far animation has come in 27 years.