Partly Cloudy

In the stratosphere, cheerful clouds sculpt cute babies—kittens, puppies, and humans—and bring them to life for storks to deliver to expectant parents. Among these fluffy creators is Gus, a lonely grey cloud who specializes in creating dangerous and difficult animals like crocodiles, porcupines, and rams. His partner, a stork named Peck, suffers through the physical toll of delivering these hazardous bundles, often returning battered and bruised.

The conflict arises when Peck, seemingly exhausted by the abuse, flies away after Gus presents him with a baby shark. Gus, interpreting this as abandonment, spirals into a stormy depression. However, the story resolves with a touching twist: Peck has not left for good but has instead flown to a colleague to acquire a football helmet and shoulder pads. He returns, ready to continue his duty, demonstrating that true friendship involves adapting to challenges rather than avoiding them.

The film highlights the power of unconditional loyalty and adaptation in relationships. It suggests that while we cannot change our friends' nature (Gus will always make dangerous beasts), we can change how we handle the challenges they present (Peck donning armor). It also celebrates the necessity of all creatures in nature, implying that even the sharp and scary ones deserve to be created and loved.

Critics and audiences have interpreted the film as a metaphor for parenting a special needs child, where the 'dangerous' creations represent the challenges parents face, and the protective gear represents the support systems they need. Others see it as a commentary on creative collaboration, where a producer (Peck) must find ways to handle the difficult output of a volatile artist (Gus). It can also be read as a general allegory for any relationship where one partner has 'sharp edges' that the other must learn to handle with care.

Partly Cloudy is celebrated as one of Pixar's most touching short films, often cited for its ability to convey a complex emotional narrative without dialogue. It served as a proving ground for director Peter Sohn, establishing his reputation for heartfelt storytelling which he later brought to feature films like Elemental. Culturally, it is remembered for its clever twist on the classic 'stork' mythology and its message about the endurance required in close friendships.

The film holds a high rating (around 8.1/10 on IMDb) and is universally praised for its visual charm and emotional depth. Audiences love the silent comedy and the expressive animation of the clouds. Some viewers initially fear a sad ending but are relieved by the heartwarming resolution. The only minor criticism notes the slapstick violence (Peck getting hurt) can be intense, but it is generally viewed as necessary for the emotional payoff.