Meitantei Conan Movie 19: Gouka no Himawari

Okay, without further do, I'll be initiating a review to the latest Conan movie.

This year's installment is still a good standalone film. However, due to the ambiguous plot and some haphazard twists, this movie might not be as appealing as the previous ones.

Plot was simple, Japan through Suzuki Jirokichi had boldly announced to the world he is about to collect the 7 Van Gogh paintings to open an exhibit boasting the privilege to present every Sunflowers to some selected audiences. So coming next like a pair to wealthy old man will be Kaitou Kid, a popular and recurring character who often plays the double ... standard opposition to our majestic child detective.

The movie did start with a bang, surprising everyone the new version of the 1412 infamous phantom thief. He's somewhat more audacious and his motives were really hostile unlike his usual frolic attitude. Though setting aside his major transformation, a profound twist was enveloped involving the 2nd and the 5th Sunflower paintings that has to do with the film's cast and the overall main mystery. Like a routine, it's a tug-of-war between the two cool characters and the mystery intensifies soon after wealthy advisor highlights a series of characters.

So going further, the risky actions of Kaitou Kid baffled everyone. And to serve as the oil to the fire is a character named Charlie who appears to hold a deep grudge to the phantom thief. He was a part of 7 chosen partners of Suzuki Jirokichi and his character's role is to antagonize Kid by labeling 1412 a criminal who murders and eventually plastering him to a title of terrorist. Of course, as an avid fan of Kid, Sonoko, who had some quite a screentime to this film, defended his ideal crush over the sharp mouth of the American detective. This twist was supposed to contain potential, however, this ends here. Nothing gripping happens afterward, even his reason for targeting Kid's life had never surfaced as a part of a logical explanation. So what I did was just sit back, digest the remaining plot and clap my hands afterwards the teaser for 20th movie.

More to mention is the part of the routine where Conan executes life-threatening stunts, of course, Kid's maneuvers as well. Though aside from the two main leads, the other cast played a very minor participation and that is somewhat of a minus. Even the film's culprit had a really unconvincing overall impact. This is indeed a very sad fact.

Btw, there's this Haibara's vague opinion of Conan slightly changing and appears suggestive, though like in any movie installments, it doesn't necessarily affect the main DC story. With Haibara encountering an important character, she was made to realize her lingering feelings for Conan but again, this ends here. Nothing happens... Even Ran's screentime was limited to her crying and acting emotional and that's it. Oh dear... why, oh why?

Moving on, despite the lack of sharp quality on the story, the art and animation department was clearly a standout. This movie definitely outdid the previous films in terms of the points mentioned, the OST where Porno Graffiti performed the ED was also amazing. Unfortunately, aside from these two factors who fully deserved an outstanding 10/10, none of the other aspects seems captivating.

So concluding, like in every Conan movies, the plot revelation of the case started very intricate. We get to see a lot of actions, some drama, goofy moments, however it lacks, the usual detailed deduction show. As aforementioned, this movie definitely ranks lower than the previous in terms of fluidity. The execution of the plot while the movie goes on and on was somewhat poorly done and it will definitely catch the watcher's attention to the extent some will surely display dismay. Even I as a massive fan, find the movie un-compelling as a whole. But please, do not write off the movie as a BAD installment. Though it surely played short on its potential, with a forgiving mentality, anyone can still enjoy this.

Listen, I have to agree with some of the other reviews saying that the story is a little predictable and, for a Detective Conan movie, it is not great. However, if you enjoy Detective Conan and love any Kaitou Kid appearance, then this movie is very very enjoyable.

All around the movie is very fun to watch and although predictable it does draw you in. The art, as always, is very well done and beautifully animated. Again, if you love Kaitou Kid, this is the movie to watch. I very much enjoy the comraderie between Conan and Kid and this movie definitely delivers on that ... end.

If you are looking for something entertaining, not to be taken too seriously, this is definitely the movie to watch.

I tried to keep it spoiler free, only my Final tought goes into detail and give some spoilers.
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To begin, I liked the anime. I'm a big 1412 (Kid) fan but not that big of a DC fan. So I'm only going to compare of what I've seen.
To start, the beginning starts a bit suprising, but soon after the action begins. It gives you a wrong understanding about what is going on. But that's how I like it, it keeps you wanting to watch. Everything what Kid does is weird, and even when you watched the Magic Kaito 1412 serie, you still don't have a ... clue about what is going on. Kid only steals jewels, so why does he steals paintings?

(Not really a spoiler here, because it is already mentioned at the early beginning of the film what he is about to do.)

Even the thinking of Conan isn't told. It are some short moments were he thinks, but no real breaktrough. When the film develops at the searching-non action part you still don't have a clue about what is going on.
Only when the movie reaches her Climax things are rather suprising. Kid doesn't dp what you would think he would do and even some Jesus-things are put into it. xD

When Kid does that thing with paintings when everything can't get worse, you'll be not suprised when you've watched the Magic Kaito 1412 series. Actually, it's the moment you waited for, were your taughts about him really being not what he was in the 1412 series just vanished. And it really made me laugh. Further, when the whole complot was told, it was rather weird how it was all put together, but at the end, you'll forget about it due to that one moment with Kid and the inspector. (?)

So...
Story 7/10
It wasn't bad, but it wasn't breathtaking either. It could have some improvements here and there, but the story doesn't lack anything nor does it comes out unrealistic.

Art 6/10
Typical DC and 1412 art. Not my favourite, but still decent and not annoying to look at.

Sound 8/10
The music was good, it didn't "wake me up" from the story to irritate me that it doesn't fit together. But not much to say about it.

Character 5/10
It's typical to DC and 1412 that it hasn't a character development. Maybe it would've been better if the police realised what Kid has done for the other people.

Enjoyment 9/10
This is personal, but I really enjoyed it. It was worth spending 2 hours for it. I personally recommend this if you are a 1412 fan, but it way dissapoint you if you are a DC fan.

Overall 7/10
Nothing much to say here, it speaks for itselfs. I would love to give an 8 but that would be a bit to unrealistic compared to the points I've given the other stats.
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Final toughts:
[SPOILERS!]
With the aircraft, a plane can fly with 1 engine (even with 2) damaged or broken. So that was a rather weird moment for me.
The end was good, but it needed that one extra thing to make it shine. I would've loved if Conan personally comes to Kid and thanks him for helping and saving the girl.

So that was my review. If I was you, go and press the watch button!

You're still reading this? I recommended you to press the watch button...



PRESS THE BUTTON! (xD)

There's always been something special about this movie to me. For one, this was the only movie to consistently feature Kaito Kid as a driving force in the narrative. The 3rd movie was more focused on the mystery of the Faberge egg than Kaito stealing it. Movie 8 started off with an incredible confrontation only to forget about it halfway through. Movie 10 is a completely different beast altogether. While Kaito did have a strong presence in Movie 14, his role was more of a supporting character than Conan's cunning rival. Of all the movies to feature Kaito Kid, Sunflowers of Inferno is the only ... one to have him as an active character that stays faithful to his role as the pretentious thief he is. If there was ever a movie to accurately portray who Kaito is and what he does, this would be it.

Another thing is that this movie has very good pacing. Each scene moves on to the next in a way that feels natural and intentional. It does a good job of not overwhelming the viewer with too much information and the focus on Van Gogh's Lost Sunflower painting was an inspired choice for a movie.

Its also worth pointing out that this movie is quite possibly the best looking in the whole series. Everything's so bright and colorful that you can't take your eyes off of it. There are also some scenes that were very well-shot and animated. The backgrounds are very detailed and have a have a sort of water color aesthetic to them. If you can, definitely try to see this movie in high definition. It's pure eye candy.

Unfortunately, there is a blight on this otherwise enjoyable movie, that being who the true culprit is. Since this is a review, I won't spoil who it is exactly. But seriously, their motive is just so stupid! If you ignore the culprit and just focus on Kaito Kid, who is the whole point of the movie, than there's no problem. Even still, THAT was the best they had?

Despite my gripes, this is still a very fun movie and definitely one of my favorites. If you want a good movie with heists and famous works of art, than this is the one for you.

WELL, first of all i want to make it clear, i write this review, only, after i have seen this movie 4 times.
The story is very good, the best part is that the case resolves around the Artist Vincent van Gogh, this movie really brings me back to, when i watched Detective Conan Movie 12 Full Score of Fear, in which the case resolved around Bethoveen and his Music.
Also let us not forget this Movie featured the beloved magician thief, Kaito Kid.
The Case, if i can call it like this, this is greatly thought over here, right until the End, the viewer can not figure ... out who is the culprit, and when all is revealed, you are surprised. Even when re-watching it many times there are still aspects, that manage to surprise you.
One of the great things were, how of a Deep Insight we the viewers get into the Backstory of van Goghs Paintings the Sun Flowers.
To be honest at first i did not enjoy this movie so much, this is why i am writing this review only after i watched it a few times. But the thing is the more times i watch (as well the more deeper into the Universe of Conan i dive into, yes i am a very big Fan) the more i enjoy this Movie. I will re-watch it again in the near Future, then again after and again after.....
I recommend this Movie greatly to all who are Fans of Detective Conan just like Anime Fans who want to see a really interesting Anime Movie.