Suzume no tojimari (2022)'s comments

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KuroSawWhat

Well, Mokoto Shinkai definitely goes full force in this one, but it seems like something may have been lost in translation. I understand that the subtext of the film is about Japan's 3/11 tsunami and its lasting impact on people.. but that subtext is so buried that it's just about in the sub-basement.

I didn't feel like I got to know know any of the main characters before they were off and running around, or that I had any kind of adequate explanation for the rather wild fantasy elements in the film and how they work. The story left me hollow, wanting more.. waiting to connect with something. I feel like I really could love these characters, but didn't have the opportunity to learn to love them.

The animation was, as you would expect from Shinkai, absolutely beautiful.. with only one or two bits of some rather janky CGI.

I enjoyed catching this in IMAX, with a packed crowd for the Japanese dub. However, the energy in the room was rather subdued and restless.. I think this one missed the mark a bit with the audience. The many Japanese girlfriends in attendance did not "squee" even once, even while the film was very clearly attempting to trigger the reaction.

quote:
The biggest audience reaction came when Studio Ghibli's "Whisper of the Heart" was mentioned for a split second.

Suzume is totally worth seeing for any anime fan, but not urgently so.. This isn't a new classic, sorry to say. It's just a good, solid picture that doesn't do anything too amazing.

1 year ago

natsume21

I bawled my eyes out at the end!!! Even though it wasn't literally spelled out for Western audiences, the movie honours the victims of the triple disaster (11-03-11) in Japan. This is done so gracefully and so beautifully, I was in awe. Definitely deserves a re-watch!

1 year ago