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In 1979, Japanese director Hayao Miyazaki made his very first full-length animated feature “Lupin the Third: The Castle of Cagliostro,” followed by the Ghibli-founding movie “Nausicaä of the Valley of the Wind” in 1984. Ten iconic pictures and three retirement announcements later, he has come out with his reportedly final feature which was released in Japan in July.
“The Boy and the Heron,” with the Japanese title “Kimitachi wa Dou Ikiru ka,” translating to “How Do You Live?” is a story about a boy named Mahito (Soma Santoki) who is brought to live with his aunt in the countryside following his mother’s death. There, he encounters a strange gray heron that leads him into a magical tower where he believes he will find his mother.
The film portrays Mahito’s initial grief effectively in a way that makes his later character development clear and satisfying. This is enveloped in a somewhat confusing plot that involves an element of time travel and alternate dimensions while keeping the genre clearly fantasy. Through this plot, Mahito and his mother reconnect, delivering some important themes which add even more to Mahito’s character development. An important message to take away from the film is that life is meant to be lived and celebrated, no matter what happens or how short it may be.
The story is adapted from the book of the same Japanese title, but the movie has its own storyline and really only carries in the characters and setting from the book. The feel of the movie is so comforting and magical that it fits right in with Ghibli movies, but it never feels like it is copying anything. However, there are many elements clearly inspired by previous Ghibli movies, and it pays homage to its foundation with some cool references. The war setting is like “Grave of the Fireflies,” the creatures are reminiscent of the ones in “Ponyo” and the mysterious fantasy takes us back to “Spirited Away.” References like these are greatly appreciated and very hard to come by in Ghibli movies as there is almost nothing tying them together.
A theme of the movie is the importance of the past, but also looking forward to the future. There is joy in remembering yesterday, and there is also excitement in tomorrow. That’s why I think the little references and the inspiration from past Ghibli movies are so cool because they emphasize exactly what the movie is about.
Ghibli’s animation dating back to the 1980s has always been fantastic with a very particular style. “The Boy and the Heron” does an excellent job of retaining that style while bringing the animation up several notches. One of the first scenes in the film shows Mahito running after his mother through fire in a warzone.The visuals of the fire, along with the small details of the background and Mahito running was just breathtaking. From that scene on, it didn’t miss a beat.
This movie was supposed to be Miyazaki's goodbye to the animating world, but thrice again, he has taken that statement back and is now working on his next project. I truly hope it lives up to the standard that “The Boy and the Heron” has set.
There is nothing that sings of childhood and comfort quite like a Miyazaki film does. I’m so glad I got the experience of seeing this in a theater, which I never had with any past Ghibli movie. The big screen reveals the magic of the animation and music, making it all feel like a wonderful dream coming straight from the heart and mind of Miyazaki.
“The Boy and the Heron” will open in theaters in the United States on Dec. 8.
“The Boy and the Heron,” with the Japanese title “Kimitachi wa Dou Ikiru ka,” translating to “How Do You Live?” is a story about a boy named Mahito (Soma Santoki) who is brought to live with his aunt in the countryside following his mother’s death. There, he encounters a strange gray heron that leads him into a magical tower where he believes he will find his mother.
The film portrays Mahito’s initial grief effectively in a way that makes his later character development clear and satisfying. This is enveloped in a somewhat confusing plot that involves an element of time travel and alternate dimensions while keeping the genre clearly fantasy. Through this plot, Mahito and his mother reconnect, delivering some important themes which add even more to Mahito’s character development. An important message to take away from the film is that life is meant to be lived and celebrated, no matter what happens or how short it may be.
The story is adapted from the book of the same Japanese title, but the movie has its own storyline and really only carries in the characters and setting from the book. The feel of the movie is so comforting and magical that it fits right in with Ghibli movies, but it never feels like it is copying anything. However, there are many elements clearly inspired by previous Ghibli movies, and it pays homage to its foundation with some cool references. The war setting is like “Grave of the Fireflies,” the creatures are reminiscent of the ones in “Ponyo” and the mysterious fantasy takes us back to “Spirited Away.” References like these are greatly appreciated and very hard to come by in Ghibli movies as there is almost nothing tying them together.
A theme of the movie is the importance of the past, but also looking forward to the future. There is joy in remembering yesterday, and there is also excitement in tomorrow. That’s why I think the little references and the inspiration from past Ghibli movies are so cool because they emphasize exactly what the movie is about.
Ghibli’s animation dating back to the 1980s has always been fantastic with a very particular style. “The Boy and the Heron” does an excellent job of retaining that style while bringing the animation up several notches. One of the first scenes in the film shows Mahito running after his mother through fire in a warzone.The visuals of the fire, along with the small details of the background and Mahito running was just breathtaking. From that scene on, it didn’t miss a beat.
This movie was supposed to be Miyazaki's goodbye to the animating world, but thrice again, he has taken that statement back and is now working on his next project. I truly hope it lives up to the standard that “The Boy and the Heron” has set.
There is nothing that sings of childhood and comfort quite like a Miyazaki film does. I’m so glad I got the experience of seeing this in a theater, which I never had with any past Ghibli movie. The big screen reveals the magic of the animation and music, making it all feel like a wonderful dream coming straight from the heart and mind of Miyazaki.
“The Boy and the Heron” will open in theaters in the United States on Dec. 8.