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Before I begin, let me have a quick one-on-one conversation. With myself.

- Can I ask you something?
- Sure, but make it easy.
- If it wasn't troublesome, I wouldn't have asked you.. I mean myself.
- Make it quick then.
- Why did you like Summer Wars?
- Well, it was.. umm.. entertaining.
- Yeah I know that much.. tell me what exactly falls under 'entertaining' term in your reasoning?
- I can't tell it this case.. sometimes some things seem to be more appealing to me than other, that's all. There are too many factors to it, and they are not so distinct and clear.

The main issue I have with 'Summer Wars' is the one I tried to bring up in my oh-so-creative (and awkward) introducion.
My uppermost opinion on this anime movie basically circles around one adjective. And it's 'entertaining'. (o rly?)

And that's the point here, I believe.

Anyhow, 'Summer Wars' (サマーウォーズ / Samā Wōzu) (2009) is a animated movie from Madhouse Studio. It was well recieved by the critics and audience, also being commercial succes. Also, movie won several awards including 2010 Japan Academy Prize for Animation of the Year. It's director and person behind story developement is Mamoru Hosoda (who was also director for 'Toki wo Kakeru Shoujo' (2006) - I may mention this one a lot). Screenplay was written by Satoko Okudera (who was also involved in 'Toki...' project). Basically, you may assume that 'Summer Wars' was made by a people previously involved in creating 'The Girl Who Lept Throught Time' film. It's not a movie from exact same bunch of people, don't get the wrong idea. All I want to state is that audience saw this movie as a movie by a 'Toki wo Kakeru Shoujo team'. Not to mention, as I'm not mistaken, this movie was advertised as a 'by creators of 'Toki...'. This leads to a reasonable conclusion - this movie was highly anticipated, and expectations were also high. (Even though this was a different kind of movie, to begin with.. but whatever) So.. how was it?

In my opinion storyline is interesting, and creative in a way. Not always you see a movie in which a eleventh grader is ordered to pretend to be a boyfriend of a most popular girl in his school. Oh, wait it's an anime.. ^^ And, no it's not another school-romance-comedy thing. It's a.. well.. romance-comedy.. Sci-fi romance comedy, to be exact. With superiority of a sci-fi comedy. (* can you stop already? *)

Characters are the ones you can quickly sympathize with. And there'a rather a plentiful group of them (for a 2 hour movie, that is). To name few - Kenji (our bright, genius in mathematics, rather clumsy and somehow amazed by the whole situation he's been caught up in), Natsuki (resolute, fresh, young lady) Kazuma (Natsuki's cousin, bullied in past, rather reserved), Grandma Sakae (almost 90 year old descendant of a great Japanese clan - Jinnouchi which she's head of now), Wabisuke (Natsuki's uncle who's spent his last 10 years in US leaving behind displeased family).

There's something that cannot be overlooked. It's movie's animation which is outstading. It's been some time since I saw such fluent and smooth animation, let alone beautiful background design, with well-balanced colour scheme. Anyone who's familiar with 'Toki...' will immediately recognize similarities in character design, which suits me and I can't say a bad word about. 'Summer Wars' shows that frequently disapproved 3D animation in anime can work pretty well if done with care. Visual aspect of this movie was executed more than correctly.

Music arrange for 'Summer Wars' fits the certain scenes well. I can't remember any particular melody or theme, but I found ending theme quite enjoyable.

Leaving behind the basic overview of the movie I'd like to bring forward few thoughts and observations.

'Summer Wars' is nothing like 'Toki wo Kakeru Shoujo', which personally I regard very highly, and is one of my all-time favourites. But those movies have something in common - they were both developed with great precision, and concern, even though they fall into different categories. 'Summer Wars' managed to carry the burden of being created by so-called 'Toki.. crew'. I was worried that the bar was raised way too high. But I was wrong. And I'm glad.
While watching, I was struck with the thought of how this film keeps me interested in what is about to happen next. Yes, it's one of those films. Not only 'Summer Wars' is unpredictable, but it was somehow able to control and shape my frame of mind. I was absorbed by the events. In a good way.
'Summer Wars' is very energetic, and never stays still. I enjoyed the concept of a OZ world (which is nothing spectacularly creative actually) and it's connection and relevance to a real-life world. It may be interpreted as a warning, but I felt like it was more of a slight suggestion.
Besides this film being entertaining way to spend time it's also able to deliver a delicate notion of a significance and value of a family.

Some may accuse this movie of being a bit shapeless, and chaotic, not clearly classified and by that vague. But in my eyes, it's a bright, vivid, lively and colorful image.

Whole movie is a fun experience, it entertained me in a way I'd expect from an anime movie. Even though I feared it might not be my cup of tea. I'm aware that my opinon may not meet those of others, but I'm sure this movie is worthwhile. I'll impatiently wait for another Hosoda-Okudera collaboration (which I heard draws near).

It's 8/10 (very good).