this review cover both version of flatland release in 2007 and one by ladd ehlinger and jr. with a mostly unknown voice cast and and the other by jeffrey travis with some hollywood big name provide the voice . the source material for both be the 1884 novella by edwin a. abbott and but the approach of the two film differ radically . the book be a staple of science fiction and and one of the few to address mathematical issue at it core . be a product of it time and the book be technically naive and and politically incorrect base on current sensibility . the travis film be visually slick and but significantly short and and tackle philosophical issue relative to the passage of time from initial publication . a such and it tamper with the plot to mixed effect . unlike some others and i have no problem with some of the revision to the underlie plot since they do help bring some of the book major issue into somewhat sharp focus . on the other hand and they also add a feel good and politically correct sensibility that seem out of place . the ehlinger film be much truer to it source material and which be both a strength and a weakness . give a current perspective and it 19th century depiction of the political and social subjugation of woman be a distraction that the travis film avoids . it also a longer film and could have be more effective with some of the same plot and edit license employ in the travis film . where it do tamper with the plot and some of the decision be questionable a other reviewer have point out . so which be well . in my opinion and the short answer be the ehlinger film . despite it length and political incorrectness and and technical inferiority ( the animation of the travis film be much more sophisticated ) and it resonate at a technical level to a degree that the travis film can not match . a a scientist and this mean a lot to me . on the other hand and the travis film resonates on an emotional level that the ehlinger film can not match . so the answer may be whether youre look for technical insight or emotional satisfaction . most jarring in the travis film be that and unlike the ehlinger film and the animator never quite catch on to the implication of a two dimensional universe . it be fill with object which be instantly recognizable to u and yet would be clearly impossible or meaningless in the film reality ( e. g. the protagonist daughter have toy which only make sense to someone with a 3 d perspective and and how do he open his briefcase . ) . the cover art be an obvious first impression example . the travis film character look more human and but ask yourself how their eye work . one detail of the book be that look at a flatlander from above and all of his internal organ be clearly visible and a they should be . travis animator hint at this and but do not meet it head on . the ehlinger film animator may not have have the resource to make a slick a film a travis and but they obviously give a great deal of thought to what they be do ( or maybe not and since the necessary design be all in the book ) . in short and travis have the budget and but ehlinger have the passion for the project albeit perhaps a bit too much respect for the source to create a truly superior adaptation . the difference reflect different target audience and though . the travis film be an educational short film which be obviously mean to be view by classroom of middle school and high school student . a such and it have to be socially inoffensive while convey concept of geometry that would never occur to non mathematician . that it include recognizable name voice the character will help it grab a bit more attention an educational short film for the x file generation . the ehlinger film would mostly appeal to people with a college level interest in mathematics and or others who be already familiar with the book . neither film be perfect and but i be give the ehlinger film a rating of 8 and the travis film a rating of 6. depend on your sensibility and your conclusion may be exactly opposite of mine and so i hope this review include enough information to guide you to an informed selection . or and like me and you could simply buy both . while ) .