After watching Akira, the film that got suggested to me by all curated lists was Grave of the Fireflies. I was actually gonna see this film first but Akira attracted me. Anyways, how did this Studio Ghibli production impress me? Did it actually impress me? Check my review after this picture:
Grave of the Fireflies is 1988 Japanese anime war drama directed by another Studio Ghibli legend Isao Takahata. The story revolves around Seita and Satsuki, siblings who lost their parents in war trying to protect each other from the war. What happens after is the rest of the film?
This film is a family film despite the war backdrop. It has some really tragic imagery. Attacking warplanes, burnt houses, dead bodies either burnt or filled with worms. What not? But, yet we engage with film. That is because of the main central plot, Seita and Satsuki. The relationship between them is tender and genuinely touches our heart in contrast to the war setting. So, it balances out really well. This film made a huge gamble by showing the leads to be dead before even the main plot is introduced to us. Yes, I was hooked to the film with its introduction but yet I had my questions. But, it turned out to be a masterstroke. Why? The film would have still been emotional in the end without the introduction. But, it actually amplified the emotion of the film because we know in the back of our heads while the scenes between Seita and Satsuki are going on that they will be dead. So, when those scenes come along and when we come to know why it is happening, our hearts break. Also, there is a smaller line in the film with how they are orphans and so they get ill-treated by their aunt. This part actually gives this film a complex meaning by showing how some genuine people who want to care about them could turn against them just because they are not working for the country. I forgot to tell you how I was literally weeping towards the end 20 minutes of the film. I don't usually cry watching films but this film was a whole new experience to me. So, you all know that I am mighty impressed by the film and by far the best anime film I have watched this week. Considering the standards, it is quite an achievement.
The animation of the film too is fantastic. First of all, the imagery of the film is simply stunning. When we see the drawings of those burnt houses and flying warplanes, we are instantly glued to the screen just with how gruesome these scenes are. Then, in contrast to the war scenes, there is also some scenes with the beach or with a small cave, they extract some serious beauty from the paper to the screen. Apart from the backgrounds, the character design and character animation is really good. They are smooth and subtle which just suits the entire set-up of the film. They have also got thin black stripes on their faces just to give an effect of the gritty nature of the film. I have to tell you this though. Anime always gives awesome detailing in their films but in this film in particular, there are some questionable censoring or it might not be. We won't mind it though. The attention to detail in this film and generally in any good anime film is absolutely mind blowing. I have to keep saying this but if Japan continues to produce solid 2D animation, maybe 2D animation will revive itself very strongly.
Another gem of an anime film this time by Isao Takahata and again Studio Ghibli proves why they are a force that can never be stopped. This film is also on Netflix. So, get ready for a ride filled with heart-breaking emotions.
This film is a family film despite the war backdrop. It has some really tragic imagery. Attacking warplanes, burnt houses, dead bodies either burnt or filled with worms. What not? But, yet we engage with film. That is because of the main central plot, Seita and Satsuki. The relationship between them is tender and genuinely touches our heart in contrast to the war setting. So, it balances out really well. This film made a huge gamble by showing the leads to be dead before even the main plot is introduced to us. Yes, I was hooked to the film with its introduction but yet I had my questions. But, it turned out to be a masterstroke. Why? The film would have still been emotional in the end without the introduction. But, it actually amplified the emotion of the film because we know in the back of our heads while the scenes between Seita and Satsuki are going on that they will be dead. So, when those scenes come along and when we come to know why it is happening, our hearts break. Also, there is a smaller line in the film with how they are orphans and so they get ill-treated by their aunt. This part actually gives this film a complex meaning by showing how some genuine people who want to care about them could turn against them just because they are not working for the country. I forgot to tell you how I was literally weeping towards the end 20 minutes of the film. I don't usually cry watching films but this film was a whole new experience to me. So, you all know that I am mighty impressed by the film and by far the best anime film I have watched this week. Considering the standards, it is quite an achievement.
The animation of the film too is fantastic. First of all, the imagery of the film is simply stunning. When we see the drawings of those burnt houses and flying warplanes, we are instantly glued to the screen just with how gruesome these scenes are. Then, in contrast to the war scenes, there is also some scenes with the beach or with a small cave, they extract some serious beauty from the paper to the screen. Apart from the backgrounds, the character design and character animation is really good. They are smooth and subtle which just suits the entire set-up of the film. They have also got thin black stripes on their faces just to give an effect of the gritty nature of the film. I have to tell you this though. Anime always gives awesome detailing in their films but in this film in particular, there are some questionable censoring or it might not be. We won't mind it though. The attention to detail in this film and generally in any good anime film is absolutely mind blowing. I have to keep saying this but if Japan continues to produce solid 2D animation, maybe 2D animation will revive itself very strongly.
Another gem of an anime film this time by Isao Takahata and again Studio Ghibli proves why they are a force that can never be stopped. This film is also on Netflix. So, get ready for a ride filled with heart-breaking emotions.
IMDb Rating : 8.5/10
My Rating : 10/10
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