Shoot the Glass

Hotaru no haka (1988, Isao Takahata)

I had been meaning to see this movie for a while. I had been told it was incredible sad and depressing, which may be why I kept putting it off. I was also told it was a haunting and beautiful story. All these things are true.

The animation is absolutely beautiful, and it’s so refreshing to see a “proper” animated movie, made without the aid of 3D computer magic. The shadows and colours used are absolutely haunting; dark yet hopeful in a way.

I didn’t use to watch a lot of Anime (a genre classification that seems very unfair, as it encompasses so many different types of stories), but since I saw Sen to Chihiro no kamikakushi (Spirited Away) a few years ago, I started realising that it’s a type of animation and storytelling that really appeals to me.

This movie absolutely blew me away. It was told so incredibly well, and the choice of not focusing on the people fighting the war, but instead focusing on the innocent lives that are touched by the mayhem, was a stroke of genius.

This is a movie I highly recommend. Let it sweep you away, just be prepared for the depression and tears it will bring.

Rate this movie:

(1 vote(s), average: 3 out of 5)
You need to be a registered member to rate this post.