The first half of the movie is a very cute relationship of these two characters that can somehow body swap during dreams. It's cute, inoffensive and entertaining to watch. I really enjoyed our main characters, even though they're nothing too special. The main guy is alright, I guess. He's the one that I cared the least about, but I was very into the girl. I'm trying very hard to remember their names right now, and I would search it up, but I think this fits the title of the movie.
Unfortunately, this pretty solid start is dragged down by the weird second half of the movie. I can look pass them not explaining the body swap, especially because it can be interpreted as a metaphor, but then they start time traveling, and nothing really makes much sense after that. And that's my biggest problem with this film; the plot. It's the weakest point. It's alright at first, but then it just drops the ball and never picks it up again.
The best thing about the film is that Makoto Shinkai is one of, if not, the best visual story teller in the anime industry working today. That's always been the beauty of most of his films. Little details are given through visuals that can clear a lot of things up. Not to mention that the film looks amazing. The animation and art is one of the best I've ever seen in anime ever. The soundtrack isn't as memorable as I thought it was going to be. Actually, the song that plays at the end of 5 centimeters per second is a lot more memorable than like, 3 songs in this movie, which I believe are all sang by the same guy.
My expectations weren't high going into the movie, but I still felt a bit disappointed. I don't think Shinkai is the type to work very well with supernatural stories, or even stories in general. His films are usually praised because of the feels and how pretty it looks. Does this film have that? Yes. Does it make the movie better? Yes. Does it make the movie great? No, it really doesn't, especially when the story really drags it down, the characters and soundtrack are simply passable and nothing more.
I would've liked the movie more if it was a tv show focused on the first half, which was rather entertaining and felt warm. That could've been its own thing, but it's rushed and barely explored to get into the whole, "I have to go find this place that I didn't know that exploded with a meteor to find my girl". It's just annoying and disappointing to see a film like this fail in different elements.
Surely one of the most annoying things is how convenient everything is. It reminded me of Wolf Children in a lot of ways thanks to this. No, that's not a compliment. They conveniently meet each other during many points in the movie, which is just too unbelievable. Sure, I can let it slide once, but it happens more than once. That's the problem. Also, spoiler alert for the ending, which is honestly just a huge stupid twist to make to make you cry. It's feels convenience. If you don't know what I'm talking about, it's when they meet at the end again. It just comes out of nowhere and they remember themselves for literally no reason. They also conveniently meet each other as spirits (or something) at some point.
You can say that I missed the entire point, I'm retarded and whatever else because [insert dreams make no sense so the movie doesn't have to either argument], but I just don't think it makes any sense in the second half. Sure, the Shinkai's direction is pretty great, but he's not enough to carry everything in the film. They need a better writer. That's why this film is lacking so much.
Anyways, yes I do think that this a step down for Makoto Shinkai, and I don't think I'll ever see this again unless a friend buys the blu ray, then I'll watch it just for the amazing visuals. If I had to give this film a rating it would be a 6/10. If you want to watch it, then watch it. You'll like it and think it's emotional or whatever. Sorry for thinking differently from you. I'm objectively wrong and everything Makoto Shinkai makes is a 10/10 automatically because it makes you feel like crying. Elfen Lied made me feel like crying for all the wrong reasons, which is why it's also a 10.
