As soon as the film begins, you are immediately transported into the virtual world of U that is beautiful, but is by no means original concept-wise. It isn't the stunning animation alone that pulls you in, but the OST that wholeheartedly carries this film and the very reason why my overall review score was bumped up one point higher.
The story is no doubt convoluted, but with time you can eventually see what Hosoda was trying to go for by the very end, which can be frustrating as you're three-quarters into the film and still don't understand what is going on. You only have mere hints to go off of and only yourself to rely on during this journey.
The main fault in Hosoda's storytelling lies in the pacing and gaps in the plot. The timeline is rushed at moments which really hinders the viewer's ability to connect with the main character (Suzu) during such an important part of her story. This lack of progression makes her sudden change in personality a little confusing at first.
Suzu is a relatable character and you can really sympathize with her. She has lost her identity after experiencing a traumatic event and is introduced to a community where she regains the ability to express herself again. It's a 'lose yourself, find yourself' concept that I think we can all relate to some degree. We see her boost in confidence over the course of the film but her character seems to be all over the place in this regard. Through the direction of the film, you are led to believe that joining U has helped Suzu for the better, but despite being able to find herself again, she still fails to overcome her anxiety when it comes to relationships with her family and friends until the very end.
I've seen several people point out how Belle is inspired by Beauty and the Beast. You can definitely make parallels to the iconic fairy tale as there are scenes that are nearly mirror images of the original. However, aside from those aesthetic similarities, Hosoda makes this story his own. I had been expecting an exact tell of the Beauty and the Beast, but when you look outwards the story takes a whole different direction which was a pleasant surprise. My only gripe as I said at the beginning of this review, is that it takes us nearly till the end to understand what is going on.
Overall, if you're fine with a mediocre story you should definitely give it a watch. The animation is great and the OST is superb. I went into this film blind and came out pretty satisfied. The only thing I suggest for people in a similar situation is don't expect to be blown away story-wise, but get ready to be immersed in the truly breathtaking world of U.
