Kari-gurashi no Arietti
Kari-gurashi no Arietti (2010)
★★ / ★★★★
Shawn (voiced by David Henrie) was sent to live with his aunt in the province because he needed to rest prior to an impending heart surgery. Walking up to the backyard, he noticed something strange: a rustling in the bushes and then suddenly a little person named Arrietty (Bridgit Mendler), a “borrower” about the size of our thumbs, dashing across the green jungle in hopes of being elusive enough as to not to be seen. If recognized by humans, to the borrowers known as “beings,” they were to pack up and move immediately in order not to risk their safety. Based on the screenplay by Hayao Miyazaki and Keiko Niwa, for all the fantastic discoveries made by the characters in “Kari-gurashi no Arietti,” it was surprising that its entertainment value was only middling. Perhaps it had something to do with its purposefully unhurried pace. In some instances, it worked. When, for instance, Arrietty stopped running around the garden to admire the vast surroundings that we humans take for granted, the material placed me in her mindset. For a lot of us, although there are plenty of things to see in the world, either we choose not to open our eyes to the natural marvels in front of us or we lack the means, financially, for example, to venture outside of our regular spaces and explore. During its slower moments, it was nice that we had a choice between boredom and introspection. In some scenes, its sluggish pacing did not work. A lot of time was dedicated to Hara (Carol Burnett), the household’s helper, suspecting and snooping around the house for the borrowers. The script seemed intent in making her a villain but her intentions weren’t always so clear. Why was she so desperate to catch a borrower? If she captured one, what would she do with it? Did she want fame or money? She had stated that over the years, things around the house had gone missing. Was she blamed for these missing items and therefore wanted to prove her innocence? These questions were not answered because the screenplay seemed stuck in pushing us to dislike her. Even though her hunt had gotten so desperate that she eventually hired pest control to lure out Arrietty and her family, I didn’t see her as a terrible human being. In fact, I was able to relate to her curiosity. If I stumbled upon evidence that there really were borrowers living in my house, I would want to see one for myself even if it meant looking at the back of storage closets and underneath floorboards. What I enjoyed was the film’s keen attention to detail. Although the vibrant colors jumped out in an attempt to snag our attention, I liked looking at the molds and stains on the walls as Arrietty and her father (Will Arnett) made their way to the kitchen to get some sugar and tissue paper. It made me feel like I was their size and I was alert of the little dangers–and not-so-little bugs–that could be waiting around the corner. Even though the scene mostly consisted of walking, it felt like a big adventure because there was a level of danger that threatened the characters and a certain aura of discovery considering that it was our protagonist’s first time venturing into the kitchen. Based on the novel “The Borrowers” by Mary Norton, I sensed that “The Secret World of Arrietty,” directed by Hiromasa Yonebayashi, held itself back. It wasn’t a rich experience, just an adequate one.
Mononoke-hime
Mononoke-hime (1997)
★★★ / ★★★★
When a spirit that guarded the forest had turned into a demon, in a form of a giant boar, threatened to attack a small village, Prince Ashitaka (voiced by Billy Crudup) killed the suffering spirit. But Ashitaka did not leave the battle unscathed. The demon managed to touch his arm and put a curse on him. One of the wise men from the tribe claimed that there could be a possible cure out in the West. However, if Ashitaka left the village, he could never return. “Princess Mononoke,” written and directed by Hayao Miyazaki, was branded by fans and critics as a classic. I don’t believe it was as strong as it should have been. While I admired that it used animation not just as a medium to entertain younger children, personified by gory beheadings and limbs cut into pieces, its pacing felt uneven and the way story unfolded eventually became redundant. There was a war between guardians of the forest, led by a giant white wolf named Moro (Gillian Anderson), and humans, led by the cunning Lady Eboshi (Minnie Driver). The spirits were angry because men cut off trees and killed animals for the sake of excavating valuable iron. If the forest died, the spirits, too, would perish. Ashitaka’s stance was the middle, the one who we were supposed to relate to, and it was up to him to try to bring the two sides together. While I appreciated that there was an absence of a typical villain because the characters’ motivations were complex, there were far too many grand speeches about man’s place in the world versus man’s right to do whatever it took for the sake of progress. As the spirits and humans went to war, the story also focused on the budding romance between Ashitaka and San (Claire Danes), a human that Moro brought up as a wolf. It was an unnecessary appendage because the romantic angle took away the epic feel of the battle sequences. Just when a battle reached a high point, it would cut to Ashitaka wanting to prove his love for the wolf-girl he barely knew. The high point, instead of reaching a peak, became an emotional and visual plateau. It wasn’t clear to me why Ashitaka would fall for someone like San, who was essentially a savage being, who claimed that she hated humans, and who considered herself to be a wolf. There was a painful lack of evolution in their relationship. Did San eventually feel like she was more human than animal after spending more time with the cursed Ashitaka? What was more important to our protagonist: being with the girl he loved or the lifting off the curse so that he could continue to live? The deeper questions weren’t answered. Nevertheless, I wouldn’t deny that “Mononoke-hime” maintained a high level of imagination throughout. I especially enjoyed the adorable kodamas, spirits that lived in the oldest trees, with their rotating heads and confused expressions. If it had found a way to focus more on the big picture, without sacrificing details and actually offered us answers, it would have been a timeless work.
Hauru no ugoku shiro
Hauru no ugoku shiro (2004)
★★★★ / ★★★★
In Hayao Miyazaki’s “Howl’s Moving Castle,” an unextraordinary young woman named Sophie (voiced by Emily Mortimer) with a low self-esteem and a penchant for dressing like an old woman was cursed by the wicked Witch of the Waste (Lauren Bacall). Being in a body of an old woman, Grandma Sophie (now voiced by Jean Simmons) decided to go into the mountains to find another witch or wizard who could reverse her condition. In the unforgiving cold mountains, she stumbled upon a castle with legs owned by the mysterious and slightly vain Howl (Christian Bale). Out of all Miyazaki’s films, “Howl’s Moving Castle” contained my favorite group of characters. Each of them had a defined personality from the sarcastic fire demon named Calcifer (Billy Crystal), a young magician (Josh Hutcherson) who yearned for an adult figure, to characters who did not say a word like loving Turnip-Head and Heen, an old dog with only one facial expression. There was something unexpected revealed about each of them, particularly the villainous witch who cruelly casted a spell on our protagonist. All of the core characters shared one similarity so they had a reason to keep walking forward together. They were all caught up in a senseless war. Since it wasn’t explained to us why a war was happening or which side was fighting for what reason, the violence, burning homes, and people attempting to escape with their lives were that much more compelling. In some ways, the magical world that these characters inhabited served as an escape from the harsh realities of war. With the help of the castle, they had a chance to escape and hide but only temporarily. Eventually, they would step out on a once peaceful landscape and were confronted with flying ships used to drop bombs in beautiful cities by the sea. Unfortunately, when the picture decided to focus on the romantic bond between Sophie and Howl, I began to lose interest. They did have their cheesy moments, but I was more concerned about what Sophie saw in Howl and vice-versa. Sophie claimed to love Howl but for what reason? Did she love him because of his looks? It certainly wasn’t because of his maturity because he threw tantrums like a child. Was their so-called love pre-ordained? There was an evidence of time-travel toward the end of the story. Nevertheless, I could also argue that the heart of the film wasn’t about the romance between Howl and Sophie. The friendship between humans and magical creatures and the sacrifices they made for each other during a time of need would probably make more sense. “Hauru no ugoku shiro” teemed with great detail and imagination but the story always came first. Quirky, funny, adventurous, with just the right amount of dark undertones, “Howl’s Moving Castle,” based on a novel by Diana Wynne Jones, will enchant both young and old.
Tenkû no shiro Rapyuta
Tenkû no shiro Rapyuta (1986)
★★★ / ★★★★
A girl named Sheeta (voiced by Anna Paquin) looked pensively out the window aboard a flying ship. She was being held by a spy for the government (Mark Hamill) and men from the military. They wanted something from her although at first it wasn’t clear what. Pirates, led by an old but very energetic lady named Dola (Cloris Leachman), attacked the ship. Out of panic, Sheeta climbed outside the window, slipped, and was in free fall toward the Earth. “Tenkû no shiro Rapyuta,” also known as “Castle in the Sky,” was a thrilling animated film which balanced adventure and heart with ease. It offered breathtaking images from grand ships maneuvering themselves in and out of danger to the small details of the mining town where Pazu (James Van Der Beek), Sheeta’s greatest ally, lived and dreamed of fantastic journeys. The chase scenes were exciting to watch not just because guns and explosions were involved but due to the fact that there were times when the laws of Physics were completely ignored (especially in the mine cart tracks) and I was completely caught by surprise. Just when we thought we had idea where one’s loyalty belonged, enemies found a commonality which allowed them to work together and maybe even learn from each other. In a way, the action sequences were just as interesting as the characters who all shared a common goal: reaching the evasive floating castle called Laputa. The spy wanted the knowledge and the technology buried deep within, the military and the pirates wanted the treasures, Pazu wanted to find closure regarding his father’s death, and Sheeta simply wanted to protect it. There were also some messages concerning the environment and perhaps a budding romance between Pazu and Sheeta but I liked the fact that such topics were purposely underplayed. It was nice to see other angles from the core story so it didn’t at all feel one-dimensional. However, I do have the admit that I felt as though the picture ran for about thirty minutes too long. I think the film spent too much time focusing on the characters aboard the mysterious castle. I began to feel restless. Personally, I would have enjoyed it more if the characters did not spend too much time there (or if none of them reached it). By doing so, it remains as a symbol or a metaphor for things that were important to the characters. To me, it really wasn’t about reaching the castle but the measures the characters would go to get there. Written and directed by Hayao Miyazaki, “Castle in the Sky” was magical, involving, and suitable for all ages. It made me think of the time when my dream was to become pilot.
Tonari no Totoro
Tonari no Totoro (1988)
★★★ / ★★★★
“Tonari no Totoro” also known as “My Neighbor Totoro” has been on my Netflix queue for about six months so I was so happy when it finally arrived in the mail. It must be noted that this review is based on the dubbed version so some of the dialogue might have been lost in translation. Written and directed by the great Hayao Miyazaki, the film had a very simple story with a big heart. It was about two sisters (Dakota Fanning and Elle Fanning) who recently moved to the countryside with their father while their mother (Lea Salonga) stayed in the hospital due to an undisclosed illness. The girls, since they were still at a young age, could see dust sprites and spirits, one of which was Totoro, who was supposed to be a troll but he looked more like Snorlax to me (yes, the Pokémon) because of his lax nature but incredibly cute proclivities. The whole movie was basically how the sisters used their imagination as an escape from the ennui of the countryside and dealing with their mother’s illness. I enjoyed that it was simple because the sadness in the core’s story easily appealed to adults while the cuteness appealed to the kids. I’ve read some critiques saying that the movie was slow and aren’t as grand as other Miyazaki projects. In some ways, I agree but at the same time I think those people have missed the point. The movie was supposed to be from a child’s perspective. When you were a child, didn’t everything appear so simple? There’s no taxes to pay off, no job to go to, and no fear of taking an exam that can determine your future. It was all about running around in the outdoors and getting caught up in pretend play. I loved the fact that the younger sister’s qualities reflected real life; she constantly mimicked her older sister, was always in “me” mode and she didn’t quite yet grasp the idea of danger. Details like that elevated this film for me because it showed there was some thought under the sugary cuteness. However, there were some underdeveloped characters that I thought were interesting but were never really explored. For instance, the boy who seemed to like the older sister and the grandmother who once could see the spirits when she was a child. I especially wanted to know more about the latter because I felt like she had a lot of wondrous stories that she could potentially tell the girls (and to us). “My Neighbor Totoro” offers a healthy dose of great imagery (such as when Totoro stood in the rain with the girls) and is obviously inspired by “Alice in Wonderland.” I wouldn’t go as far as to say that it was a masterpiece but I appreciated the innocent feel it had. Characters going on great adventures isn’t a must for animated films to be interesting. And that’s one of this picture’s important messages: adventures can happen right in your backyard.
Spirited Away
Spirited Away (2001)
★★★★ / ★★★★
Every time I watch “Spirited Away,” I am in complete awe from start to finish. When Chihiro and her family discovered an abandoned amusement park on the way to their new house, Chihiro’s parents were turned into pigs right when the sun started setting and she found herself alone in an alternate universe full of strange creatures and spirits. Chihiro must then navigate in her new world and find a way to turn her parents to their original form and return to the human world. There many elements to love in this animated film. One of those elements was Chihiro’s drastic change from a whiny, spoiled girl to a mature individual who was capable of making decisions under extreme pressures. With the responsibilities that the bathhouse (where she had to work so that the witch would not turn her into a pig) had thrusted upon her, she eventually learned to break from her “me” mindset and really care for others. I also admired the fact that there were many morals that could be learned from this picture but none of those lessons felt heavy-handed. The movie merely showed what was happening and then it was up to us to determine why certain events were unfolding before our eyes. The concept of false first impressions was definitely at the forefront. Instead of making the hideous monsters one-dimensional, they turned out to be quite docile and adorable in their own ways. I particularly loved the raddish spirit, the stink spirit and No-Face because each of them were put under the spotlight at some point which at first suggested that they were not friendly or had something up their sleeves. The level of imagination of the picture was very impressive. Everything is so magical–from a giant baby capable of making threats to a one-footed lamp that worked as a guide–that it was able to easily entertain the kids and make the adults look back on childhood when anything seemed possible. Directed by Hayao Miyazaki, “Spirited Away” was a complex demonstration on the power of imagination. Or better yet, how our imagination can inspire us to pull something from within and make it a reality. I would also like to note that I believe this is stronger than Miyazaki’s other classic animated feature called “Princess Mononoke.” The reason why I prefer “Spirited Away” is that I feel like this one had more magic, depth and malleability. It really offers a first-rate adventure that is unforgettable.
Porco Rosso
Porco Rosso (1992)
★★★ / ★★★★
I really enjoyed Hayao Miyazaki’s “Porco Rosso,” also known as “Kurenai no buta” and “Crimson Pig,” because it’s unlike the rest of his animated films that are more rooted in fantasy. Although the main character is half-man, half-pig, the movie does a good job commenting and exploring the fact that he’s more human than most of the other characters, especially the pirates and Porco’s American rival in the sky. Its story was a nice surprise because I thought the film was going to be about his journey to remedy the curse that had taken a hold of his body after fighting in World War I. It turned out that Porco was not unhappy with his appearance so we simply got to enjoy him interacting with different kinds of beings, taking strange jobs, and trying his luck with women. It doesn’t have a core story, which strangely enough, I enjoyed because there were many scenes when comedy and heart are at the forefront. However, I wished that I saw this film in its original language with subtitles instead of the dubbed version. I’ve aware of the fact that sometimes dubbing takes away layers of complexities from the original material either due to the language barrier and a culture’s own bias when it comes to what is acceptable for children to see. There were definitely scenes that made me question the subtle differences with what was being said and what was being enacted. Still, I think “Porco Rosso” is still fun to watch (which is probably geared more toward boys because of the many masculine images involving pirates and battles in the sky) despite its flaws because of its energy and it tackled universal emotions. And what I thought made this one special was that I could easily imagine it to be a live action movie, minus the half-pig angle, because it’s that connected to the characters’ humanities. What it lacks in darkness (as I come to expect in Miyazaki adventures), it makes up for romanticism and sometimes dry sense of humor. The animation may not be as “great” as today’s animated flicks but this one might take you by surprise.
100 Favorite Films of 2000-2009 (60-51)
60
Le fabuleux destin d’Amélie Poulain (2001)
Whimsical, romantic and very funny, “Le fabuleux destin d’Amélie Poulain” or “Amélie,” directed by Jean-Pierre Jeunet, was a real gem. I remember watching this picture for the first time when I was taking French in high school. Even though I could barely see the subtitles from the back of the class, the images in this film really spoke to me. I actually didn’t need the subtitles because its energy was so vibrant and addicting that it was impossible to resist its charm. Audrey Tautou played the main character who decided to change the world by helping people out reminded me of those classic movie stars in the 1930s and 1940s because even though she seemed delicate, she had the ability to summon inner strength when the occassion called for it. This is a feel-good movie designed for people who need a reminder than beauty could be seen everywhere we look.
59
Signs (2002)
I strongly believe that this film is M. Night Shyamalan’s underrated classic. Mel Gibson, Joaquin Phoenix, Rory Culkin and Abigail Breslin must take shelter in their house as mysterious crop circles started appearing in their farm. What started off as a curious exercise in rising action (strange noises coming from a baby monitor, news reels of alien attacks from around the globe) became a truly horrifying experience as the aliens displaced their neighbor (played by Shyamalan–a reference to Hitchcock) and eventually came knocking on their door. But this wasn’t just an ordinary horror film because this was about the loss and finding one’s faith. I’m not a religious person but I was moved by some of the questions it brought up and the way it suggested we should interpret such questions to find the answers that are right specifically for ourselves. The way Shyamalan played with the camera was fascinating to me and even though he hasn’t delivered quite as strongly since this film, I still believe in him even though a lot of people have lost faith in this promising storyteller.
58
Match Point (2005)
This is hands down Woody Allen’s best film this decade because he was able to incorporate elements from his other pictures such as “Crimes and Misdemeanors” and “Manhattan” and create a cautionary tale about a tennis player (Jonathan Rhys Meyers) falling in lust with a dangerous female (Scarlett Johansson). I loved the way it started off using an aspect in tennis as a metaphor for the events in our lives and built the picture from there. Allen’s direction was very elegant even though the switch of tone in the middle was almost jarring. But that latter part was the reason why I thought this film worked through and through. It proved to me that Allen still got it as both a storyteller and a director because he was not afraid to quickly change direction and really tell a story that was edgy and sometimes quite shocking.
57
The Machinist (2004)
I fell in love with this film the first time I saw it back in 2004 because it was unlike anything I had seen before. It was very dark, uncompromising and quite mind-bending which gave “Jacob’s Ladder” a run for its money. In fact, I believe “The Machinist,” directed with such craft by Brad Anderson,” is better than that film because it had a clearer purpose even though the answers to our questions were just as open-ended. Christian’s Bale’s transformation was just amazing to me. He looked like a skeleton and I was really worried about his health. This film brought up a lot of questions about psychology such as sleep disorders and questioning what was real and what was illusion. The more I thought about this suspenseful film, the more it gave me the creeps.
56
Gin gwai (2002)
“Gin gwai” or “The Eye,” directed by Oxide Pang Chun and Danny Pang, was about a blind woman who received an eye transplant and later discovered that she could see ghosts. What I found so haunting about this film was the fact that the ability could be transfered via the eyes and that the bearer of those eyes could not escape the figures that she saw. Another layer added to the horror was at first she didn’t know that she was seeing ghosts–she thought she was seeing real people. I’ve read about mental disorders that reference to that and it makes the hairs on the back of my neck stand up every time I think about it. Forget the American remake because this one did not even need to try to scare. It was just in its nature. And when it did, it delivered some of the best scares I’ve ever had from watching a horror film.
55
Spirited Away (2001)
Every time I watch “Spirited Away,” I am in complete awe from start to finish. When Chihiro and her family discovered an abandoned amusement park on the way to their new house, Chihiro’s parents were turned into pigs right when the sun started setting and she found herself alone in an alternate universe full of strange creatures and spirits. The level of imagination of the picture was very impressive. Everything was so magical–from a giant baby capable of making threats to a one-footed lamp that worked as a guide–that it was able to easily entertain the kids and make the adults look back on childhood when anything seemed possible. Directed by Hayao Miyazaki, “Spirited Away” was a complex demonstration on the power of imagination. Or better yet, how our imagination can inspire us to pull something from within and make it a reality.
54
The Lord of the Rings (Series) (2001-2003)
When I watched “The Lord of the Rings” series for the first time, I remember I didn’t understand why a lot of people thought the series was a masterpiece. I thought it was overrated, slow, and tedious (not to mention way too long). But upon watching more movies and gaining experience, I now believe that the series is an absolute masterpiece and it deserved every Oscar it received. Although set in a fantasy world, it was more than about defeating evil; it was about friendship, courage, sacrifice and the difficult moral choices one had to make that could impact the future. So the breathtaking adventure was balanced by a healthy load of emotional resonance. Peter Jackson’s meticulous eye for the level of detail with each scene was nothing short of impressive. “The Lord of the Rings” franchise is truly a landmark in the film industry and should not be missed.
53
Bad Santa (2003)
Politically incorrect in every way possible, “Bad Santa,” directed by Terry Zwigoff, did not take any prisoners and I savored every minute of it. A self-destructive conman (Billy Bob Thornton) who was unhappy with his life, along with his partner, decided to rob malls during Christmas Eve. But their little plan became more complicated with they met a boy who decided to teach them was Christmas was all about. Now that may sound sweet and sugary but don’t get fooled. This film is cynical in every was possible and it’s the kind of movie that is not afraid to close with an unhappy ending with the characters learning absolutely nothing. “Bad Santa” is one of those pictures that I saw right when I was just beginning to love movies. It really opened my eyes to the fact that movies do not necessarily have to have a point as long as it was able to make us feel.
52
Open Water (2003)
I will never understand why a lot of people hated this film because when I saw it for the first time, I was absolutely terrified. I don’t like sharks in the first place so watching “Open Water,” written and directed by Chris Kentis, made me not want to go to the beach for months. Shot almost entirely in the ocean, this film had a great sense of suspense. With each passing scene, the stakes got higher because it got darker, it got colder, the sharks began to surround the two leads (Daniel Travis, Blanchard Ryan), and their chances when it came to being rescued became null. The factor that amazed me most was the fact that we barely saw sharks up until the last few minutes. I was very impressed with this independent horror film. Those haters that claimed that “Open Water” was a pathetic attempt to recreate “Jaws” should really re-evaluate their thinking. Just because both films had sharks in it, it doesn’t mean they’re comparable. Both are great films but this one had a more first-person feel to it.
51
A History of Violence (2005)
This first-rate thriller, directed by David Cronenberg, stars Viggo Mortensen as a seemingly harmless man with a mysterious past. After rescuing innocent people from violent criminals in a diner, strange people started appearing in his life and the picture slowly revealed to us who our main character really was and what he was capable of. Although the picture depicts violence on screen, Cronenberg had a subtle way on commenting against violence so the action did not feel glorified. Although it was set in a somewhat rural area, the film had a very modern, somewhat sinister feel to it, as if anything could happen at just about any moment. In my reviews, I always comment on characters and character development. “A History of Violence” is one of those films that really made me want to look and analyze what’s really underneath the layers and how that core affects the character’s motivations and ultimately the decisions that they had to make.
Ponyo
Ponyo (2008)
★★★★ / ★★★★
Written and directed by Hayao Miyazaki, “Ponyo” (also known as “Ponyo on the Cliff by the Sea”) tells the story of a princess goldfish (Noah Cyrus) who truly wants to become human. After escaping from her father (Liam Neeson) whose job is to maintain balance in the natural world, she meets a five-year-old boy named Sosuke (Frankie Jonas) and instantly falls for him. Although I very much enjoyed this latest film from Miyazaki, I don’t think it’s his finest work. The story is beyond cute, the characters’ motivations are easy to understand, the world has a sense of wonder, and the situations the characters are put in have enough danger in them to make the audiences want to root for the characters to succeed. In a nutshell, it’s the perfect movie for kids and adults because it’s highly entertaining. However, I wasn’t as emotionally invested in it as I was when I saw “Spirited Away” for the first time. It must be noted that I saw the dubbed version of this animated picture in theaters so perhaps some of the dialogue was lost in translation. But I wanted a more insightful story regarding the characters. Earlier in the film, there was this tension between Sosuke’s mother (Tina Fey) and father (Matt Damon) because his father was always away at sea. There was a certain innocence and genuine comedy when the mother and father were trying to communicate in morse code by using lights. I wanted more of those situational family moments because then the film becomes that much more personal. What I really liked was that the message about the environment and how we must do our best to take care of it but it the message was never heavy-handed. Such messages were simply shown on the screen as tons of garbage were being collected from the ocean floor and ocean creatures were suffering in more ways imaginable (including the title character). Despite some of the very small negatives I mentioned, I still think this is a very strong film about a creature who tried her best to reach her dreams. “The Little Mermaid” comparisons are justified because of the premise but one shouldn’t imply that it doesn’t rise above the template. In fact, Miyazaki’s signature style of being unbound by realism was constantly at the forefront here. Therefore, every image we get (and the emotions that come with them) is very inspired and it’s very difficult to resist its charm.
Whisper of the Heart
Whisper of the Heart (1995)
★★★ / ★★★★
Written by Hayao Miyazaki and directed by Yoshifumi Kondo, this animated film showcases a charming tale of a girl named Shizuku (Youko Honna) and her passion for writing. I liked the fact that as the picture went on, we got to see how the lead character evolved from a girl who spent most of her time reading books (and not studying for her high school entrance exams) to a girl who wanted to do something with her talents so decided to pursue writing a book. Of course, side stories were expected such as her relationship with her best friend, the boy from the same grade who likes her, and the mysterious guy who checks out the same books as her named Seiji Amasawa (Kazuo Takahashi). I also enjoyed watching another layer to the story by showing us the dynamics in her home–an overbearing sister, a literary father, and a mother who is going to school–because it explains why Shizuku is such a self-starter, naturally curious regarding her surroundings, and has a natural taste for adventure. Since it was written by Miyazaki, I have to admit that I thought there was going to be more fantastic elements to the story. There were some of that, such as the strange coincidences and when the audiences had a chance to see what the lead character was imagining. But I was glad that this was grounded in reality and it really showed how it was like to make that transition from being a child to being an adolescent. Questions such as what she wanted to do in her life began popping up in her head when she met Seiji, who knows exactly wanted to do with his life. I admired her persistence in turning her insecurities into achievements. There were definitely times when I was inspired. My one problem with it, however, was it did, in fact, run a little too long. Perhaps if twenty minutes were cut off, it would have been much more focused and powerful. Regardless, I am giving this a recommendation because it made me think about where I am in life. It was sweet but not sugary; though it had its sad moments, it was never melodramatic.
Kiki’s Delivery Service
Kiki’s Delivery Service (1989)
★★★ / ★★★★
Hayao Miyazaki’s “Kiki’s Delivery Service” tells the story of a young girl who moves away from her parents’ house to another city in order to be more independent and find out and explore her unique talents. Just when I thought it would focus more on the magic and what it means to be a witch, this animated feature is actually more of human story more than anything. By that I don’t mean that the city has a rule against witches or people are mean to her because she’s a witch. In fact, witches are pretty welcome in this picture’s universe so it had the opportunity to focus on more on the circumstances that forces Kiki to be more of an adult instead of a kid. I also liked the fact that the people she meets on her journey are not mere quirky characters that we see once and never see again. They’re actually people that impact Kiki in many ways and they manage to come back when she needs them most. One could come to the conclusion that those people she meets are role models that help Kiki afloat when everything feels hopeless. All of that said, I can’t say that this is one of my favorite Miyazaki films. It lacks a certain innate edge and darkness of “Spirited Away,” “Princess Mononoke” and “Howl’s Moving Castle.” I say “Kiki’s Delivery Service” is more geared toward children because the story and dialogue are a bit too sweet and sugary. For me, the best part of the film was the talking cat and the old dog. I ended up laughing out loud a lot during those scenes because creatures that one would normally think of as mortal enemies ended up to be something quite the opposite. For the fans of Miyazaki’s movies, this is nonetheless a must-see because it has a certain universal appeal and wit that are very surprising from time to time.
