Dec 17, 2023
If you're a fan of Miyazaki movies you'll probably also like this one. It's got the same beautiful visuals, same slightly eerie and whimsical tone, and same kind of fantastical out of this world setting. This one leans way more heavily on dream (or maybe even nightmare) logic than any of his other films which might make or break this movie for some people. It forgoes a traditional 3 act structure and instead the mc is kinda just strung along in a setting he doesn't understand. Things will just happen or the mc will be told to do something with only a vague explanation as
...
to why.
Like why does his head have to be surrounded by wooden dolls while he sleeps for protection? I don't really know! Why does he have to put a cork into the heron's beak for it to be able transform again? I don't really know! You get the idea. Rather than trying to figure out why specific things are happening or the meaning to everything I feel like it's better to just be taken along for the ride while watching it as well. That isn't to say the movie is just nonsensical, in fact there is actually a lot of meaning you can glean from it, it's all just presented in a more subminal way. It's more based in emotion and feeling than it is logic. But just like how you can kinda interpret your own dreams to find insight about yourself, this movie is intentionally choosing what to show you in order to give you insight about the character, themes, and sorta even Miyazaki himself.
This may be me reading too much into it but I from my viewing some of the things I intepreted this movie to be about are coming to terms with one's own mortality, processing grief, the natural process of life and death, the desire to find a successor and then recognizing the potential harm in doing so and choosing the let the new generation forge their own path, the danger/pitfalls of withdrawing into a world of your own imagination, the fear and acceptance of an uncertain future, and how one's creative output can be marred by their own malicious desires if they go unrecognized.
I feel like it's one of Miyazaki's more introspective movies. And even if you don't try to do a deep dive of what the meaning behind things could be this is still an entertaining adventure and visual treat. It's similar to Spirited Away's with its beautiful and surreal imagery and how it puts you in the shoes of a child who has to navigate a world they don't fully understand. There are bits of whimsey and humor and horror, and I feel like it accomplishes all that it sets out to do thematically and narratively very well. And all of the technical elements of it's production are stellar as well.
The only things I'd really criticize is some parts of the setting/narrative being reminiscent of other Ghibli films in a way that feels a bit like retreading old ground. And the intro is kind of slow before the mc enters the other world. But honestly that's really about it.
This movie captures the feeling of vaguely unsettling but cool dream that ends up on a note that makes you feel relieved and happy. I'm someone who has a lot of existential dread, so movies about processing the inevitably of death kinda stress me out, but this one, while still strange and eerie, ended up feeling more comforting and soothing than anything else.
And for all of those reasons I highly recommend it!
Reviewer’s Rating: 10
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