“When you are content to be simply yourself and don't compare or compete, everyone will respect you.”
Normally, it would be acceptable for a studio's first film to be far from perfect. However, when you have people from the acclaimed Studio Ghibli working on your film, you're asking to be compared to them from the get go.
As much as I'd want to deny this claim, it seems that Miyazaki was the key to much of Ghibli's success.
Story: 6
On it's own, Mary and the Witch's Flower's story is flat. The pacing is all over the place, and any world building falls flat on it's face. By all means, it's "passable" but it's far from engaging. We are introduced to a "normal" world followed by a magical realm of sorts that exists inside it. Notably, we see a full tour of the school which would leave you to believe that it would be a key asset of this film's world.
But it's not. Following the tour of a well-crafted and inspired school, it is completely dropped from the story. Soon after that, we see a house in the middle of nowhere that once belonged to a witch from long ago. That witch happened to steal a valuable item from the school, but other than what is said at face value, we never get a deeper explanation about why that happened.
Those were only some of the story's problems. Honestly, a film could pass with a lackluster plot and still be pretty good, but that means that it would need to be good in every other aspect.
Art and Sound: 8
If there's one thing this film did get from Ghibli, it's the art style and the sound. Though basic in this day and age, the style works well and a few still shots make the world at least feel alive. The sound compliments this, and makes intense scenes feel like it matters... Even though the characters make it seem otherwise.
Characters: 5
This is where the film falls flat in every way. We are supposed to like Mary, the protagonist, but all she does is act like a brat in the beginning and magically redeems herself by the end. The film could've gone in an interesting direction with her telling a lie that changes the course of the plot, but it ignores this.
As for every other character, they hardly classify as one. No development is to be found, they only do the minimum that the film requires them to do.
Enjoyment: 6
Ultimately, this is subjective. For me, the pretty scenery and above average soundtrack was enough for me to remain interested. That may not apply to everyone. If you absolutely need an engaging plot, then you won't find it here. The same applies for the characters.
Overall: 6
Is this a bad movie? No. Is it a great movie? No. Should you watch it? Sure, why not?
If you want a reason to appreciate Ghibli, then watch this film. It will make you realize how magical they were.
Otherwise, this film is pretty generic and not that noteworthy. It plays everything safe and takes no risks. As such, it is clear that replicating Ghibli came first, while being original was second.
If you have the chance to watch it on a big screen (theater), then it's probably worth a watch. The animation is very good and so is the soundtrack.
