Made in 1988, it is one of the older animes out there. Hence, one notices the older, less fluid animation. But it nevertheless is beautifully animated. And the story is, to say the least, heart-rending.
I don't like sad shows. They annoy me. But some sad shows are good shows. Grave of the Fireflies is one of them, perhaps one of the best. Very few animes- movies, in fact- can create the depth of emotion it produces.
From one perspective it is a simple, overused story. A family's suffering in wartime. But the movie creates it in such a way as that when they suffer, we feel their suffering.
Some images are particularly gruesome, considering that this movie is aimed towards children. But even for adults, it is deep, it is sad.
The story centers mainly on a little girl, Setsuko. She, with her brother, attempt to survive the war in Japan. At first their times are happy. Then everything starts to fall apart. And the ending is probably one of the few endings out there you would rather not watch. Not because it's lousy. But because it is terribly, hopelessly sad.
But it does not reek of hopelessness, only of sorrow. It might seem strange for Japanese to moan over their losses, considering that they too inflicted much pain and suffering on their part. But it is not about "the Americans did this" or "the Japanese did this". It is, rather, "war did this".
Setsuko, the little girl, is the one who finally suffers the most.
I don't know if it can be interpreted as an anti-war film, although quite a few do treat it as such.
But regardless of its message, it's story is something that everyone ought to see. But don't expect to be entertained. No, not at all.
The Thoughtful Critic: B+
The Relaxed Moviegoer: B+
I don't like sad shows. They annoy me. But some sad shows are good shows. Grave of the Fireflies is one of them, perhaps one of the best. Very few animes- movies, in fact- can create the depth of emotion it produces.
From one perspective it is a simple, overused story. A family's suffering in wartime. But the movie creates it in such a way as that when they suffer, we feel their suffering.
Some images are particularly gruesome, considering that this movie is aimed towards children. But even for adults, it is deep, it is sad.
The story centers mainly on a little girl, Setsuko. She, with her brother, attempt to survive the war in Japan. At first their times are happy. Then everything starts to fall apart. And the ending is probably one of the few endings out there you would rather not watch. Not because it's lousy. But because it is terribly, hopelessly sad.
But it does not reek of hopelessness, only of sorrow. It might seem strange for Japanese to moan over their losses, considering that they too inflicted much pain and suffering on their part. But it is not about "the Americans did this" or "the Japanese did this". It is, rather, "war did this".
Setsuko, the little girl, is the one who finally suffers the most.
I don't know if it can be interpreted as an anti-war film, although quite a few do treat it as such.
But regardless of its message, it's story is something that everyone ought to see. But don't expect to be entertained. No, not at all.
The Thoughtful Critic: B+
The Relaxed Moviegoer: B+
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