Reviews

This worthwhile movie explores the importance of valuing ones life despite the hardships one would frequently confront in it. This theme is explored through a lost soul who occupies the body of a teenage boy who took his life through suicide and must figure out the sin that led him to his death as he experiences the boy's life. Colorful delivers enough depth at exploring the life of Makoto and the relationships he had with his family and classmates prior to his death. The movie isn't afraid at pulling its punches with exploring both the good and bad sides of living as we come to see Makoto being an outcast at his school and having some serious problems within his family, as well as the soul within him coming to value the bonds he comes to establish with those that care for Makoto despite the shortcomings he had prior. Some have commented on Makoto coming across as unlikeable at points during scenes where he lashed out at others and distanced himself from school and family. Yet considering how miserable his life was before his suicide attempt, his anger towards life in general seemed justified given what he discovers about those close to him. Yet his character does gradually get better when he comes to find a few classmates that care for him and coming to learn that his family still cares for him despite the problems they had prior.

The only element to the movie I found lacking was focus on Purapura's character as he only appears frequently during most moments when Makoto was venting at his family and classmates with the spirit reprimanding him for his actions, as well as not being able to learn very much about his character. Compared to what I seen with Makoto establishing bonds with his family and classmates, I couldn't find myself buying Makoto's connection to Purapura due to this minimal focus.

In terms of presentation, Colorful makes use of subdued color tones in depicting its down-to-earth and realistic look into Makoto's problems. Scenery is highly detailed featuring vast shots of city and forest landscapes. While character designs and animation aren't too impressive quality-wise, characters are drawn in realistic detail and move about at a fluid pace, as well as while in vehicles. The animation highlight for me in the movie was the beginning featuring a first person perspective of the lost soul being in line in the afterlife with its abstract style and lifeless look at lost souls prepared to exit the cycle of reincarnation. The movie's soundtrack is just as subdued in tone featuring piano, stringed and low-key brass music played in both dramatic and joyful moments, which fits perfectly with Colorful's varying moods of tense and happier moments.

Overall, Colorful made quite the impression on me thanks to its meaningful message on valuing life and not being afraid at tackling some shaky social issues that effected Makoto such as bullying, marital affair and compensated dating. Those looking for a worthwhile down-to-earth drama should be willing to give this movie a shot.