Shorts (also known as Shorts: The Adventures of the Wishing Rock and released internationally as The Wishing Rock) is a 2009 fantasy comedy film written and directed by Robert Rodriguez[2] and starring Jon Cryer, William H. Macy, Leslie Mann, James Spader, Jimmy Bennett, Kat Dennings, and introducing Jolie Vanier in her film debut, with Jake Short, Devon Gearhart, Leo Howard, Trevor Gagnon, and Rebel Rodriguez in supporting roles.

Shorts: The Adventures of the Wishing Rock made its world premiere screening on August 15, 2009, at the Grauman's Chinese Theatre in Hollywood, California.

Shorts: The Adventures of the Wishing Rock was released on DVD and Blu-ray on November 24, 2009, by Warner Home Video.

11-year-old Toby "Toe" Thompson lives in Black Falls Community with his parents Bill and Jane and older sister Stacey.

A rainbow-colored rock falls from the sky due to a massive thunderstorm and appears at the end of a rainbow where Loogie Short and his brothers, Laser and Lug find it.

After helping Dr. Noseworthy trap the booger monster outside enough for it to be shrunken, Toby and Loogie leave with the rock.

While preparing for the Black Box costume party with Bill, Jane finds the rock in Toby's room and takes it.

Unaware of its power, Mr. Black finds the rock and accidentally wishes all the employees to go for each other's throats as Dr. Noseworthy is knocked down.

Helvetica takes the rock, she then wishes for her father to listen to her for a change causing his ears to grow.

The rock then winds up in the hands of Mr. Black after a giant-size John arrives causing Stacey to faint.

On January 11, 2008, it was announced that Robert Rodriguez would direct, produce and write a 2009 American and Emirati[2] live action and animated family science fiction fantasy adventure comedy movie which features live action and CGI animation titled Shorts also known as Shorts: The Adventures of the Wishing Rock.

On July 16, 2008, it was announced that Jimmy Bennett would play the lead role in the film, while Jon Cryer, Leslie Mann and Kat Dennings were in early talks to join the cast.

The special effects were done by KNB EFX Group, Troublemaker Digital Studios and Hybride Technologies for the animation.

George Oldziey, Robert Rodriguez and Carl Thiel scored the music for the film on its soundtrack and the film's soundtrack contains "Spy Ballet" performed by Robert Rodriguez and "Summer Never Ends" performed by Jimmy Bennett.

[citation needed] The film holds a 47% approval rating on critical response aggregation website Rotten Tomatoes, based on 103 reviews.

The site's critical consensus reads, "Shorts has imagination and energy, but most viewers beyond elementary school will likely tire of the kiddie humor and sensory overload.

"[5] On Metacritic, the film holds a score of 53 out of 100, based on 22 critics, indicating "mixed or average reviews".

[7] Sandie Angulo Chen of Common Sense Media gave the film four stars out of five, saying it was "funny, imaginative fantasy from Spy Kids director.