Your Name and Weathering with you were some of the most unique movie experiences I've come across in the last few years. Especially Your Name made me appreciate animated movies after a very long time. With its breathtaking animation, incredible soundtrack and heartwarming story it truly cemented itself a spot in my favorite movies of all time. Therefore I really anticipated Makoto Shinkai's new project Suzume. I already heard lots of positive critiques about the movie but I was convinced it would not surpass the high qualities of Your Name. And I proofed to be right...and wrong. The premise of the story seems at first glance very understandable. The female lead who lives in a rural area gets in contact with a city boy. Together they have to accomplish supernatural challenges to save themselves and try to find a good ending for both of each other. And as you progress in the movie, it really reminds you of Shinkai's previous work. But if you look deeper into this movie you discover some very interesting perspectives as of how to approach this story. Throughout the story the characters visit many several places spread all across Japan to ensure that the supernatural foe (the worm) won't spread and cause destruction in the currently targeted area. Whilst it is declared as a calamity which will destroy the endangered cities and landscapes, the worm symbolizes the great natural force who always was a threat and tragedy for the country of Japan. As a special tribute to the many casualties and people who lost their existence and lives of their loved ones the movie pays tribute of visiting many locations where those catastrophic events occurred. In the end the movies focus shifts toward the individual (Suzume) who represents the trauma of those left behind in the catastrophe of the earthquake and tsunami of march 2011, which devastated the Japanese nation and its people. The movie really impressed the viewer (or especially me) how to rise above the caused trauma and to accept the circumstances given despite their emotional heaviness and consequences.
I think overall Your Name was the better movie in my opinion, but Suzume gave me the exact same emotional feeling with the first watch of this movie and I truly appreciate this work of art.
I think overall Your Name was the better movie in my opinion, but Suzume gave me the exact same emotional feeling with the first watch of this movie and I truly appreciate this work of art.
Tell Your Friends