I was overwhelmed by a different kind of aura upon discovering the film for the first time. Of course, it is because the fact that this is an adventure film, let alone an epic fantasy one, different than what Shinkai has offered in the past. I naturally decided to try it and my friends also wanted to watch it. This is quite a bold move from Shinkai who by the time of its release was regarded as a strictly romance director. But, can Shikai prove himself to be an adept director outside his comfort zone?

Details

• Directed by: Makoto Shinkai
• Produced by: Noritaka Kawaguchi, Makoto Shinkai
• Written by: Makoto Shinkai
• Music by: Tenmon
• Cinematography: Makoto Shinkai
• Edited by: Makoto Shinkai
• Production company: CoMix Wave Films
• Distributed by: Media Factory
• Release date: May 7, 2011
• Running time: 116 minutes
• Country: Japan
• Language: Japanese

Synopsis

From MyAnimeList.net:

Strange sounds in the darkness... Unearthly music from an old crystal radio... These are all the warning Asuna Watase has before a simple walk to her clubhouse catapults her into a nightmarish adventure that will take her beneath the Earth to a lost land beyond the realm of legend! Attacked by a strange monstrous creature, rescued by a mysterious stranger and pursued by a relentless enemy, Asuna finds herself enmeshed in a centuries old mystery that will bind her to a strange young defender and lead her inevitably, towards a secret that may hold the key to life itself!

Story

When I watched the first scene, I was immediately stormed by curiosity. I began to wonder whether this is really a Shinkai movie or not. It felt so different than his previous works. The feel, the theme, the plot all hinted for it being a Miyazaki movie. But, as usual we can see Shinkai's signature style all over the place.

But, what makes it a Shinkai film? To be honest, I can't really see the lovers apart theme because apparently the romance is just a subplot. There is something else lurking in the dark than can only be reached using allegories and metaphors that drives the whole thing. I think it will be okay to say that this is the first of Shinkai film that doesn't involve romance, at least not directly. It's an attempt to redefine the meaning of life and death themselves, and does so quite splendidly. The train, which is often used by Shinkai quite extensively, is only seen just a few scenes. However, metaphors and philosophical symbolism can be seen throughout the film.

The pacing is superb, but sadly becomes slower near the end. The film itself is a carefully mixed combination of action and drama. The thrilling iconic chase scene and the dramatic "What have I done?" moment are all there. It's also an adventure film which makes the world so vast and can be explored much further, more than a typical film.

The plot development is the one should be commended. I was hooked at first sight. It is very Miyazaki-styled and if you watch all of his films, you should know that adventure is Miyazaki's forte. He can bring out all the wonders an animation can offer. I love how detailed Shinkai takes his approach this time. Confidence and punctuality are truly shown by his way of telling the plot. Like I said, I felt that Miyazaki is the one who made the film, not Shinkai. That's a praise, by the way.

The climax scene is also one of my favorites. It really portrays the inner conflicts of the main characters. There are so many emotions and feelings played out at the same time. Seeing all of them coming down one after another brings such exhilarating feeling. The scenes are also wonderfully acted out fluidly and like I said, different than most of Shinkai's woks. No clunky awkward scenes, cringing moment. They are all replaced with curiosity, mystery, and faint sense of darkness.

Visual

The thing that stands out than the rest is the background. Shinkai really pushed himself to the limit this time. When I stared at the background, I was sucked into the world he had created and thought that I really was in the movie. The feeling of vastness and being in a wilderness come along. They all surged into my inner consciousness. So much splendid and beautiful work put into the production of these masterful artworks.

Unfortunately, the character designs are a little bit letdown. I can't help to see the main characters are carefully designed to mimic typical adventure film characters. There is the independent, free-spirited girl, just like the protagonist of many Miyazaki's works. The boy who was searching to fulfill his purpose or duty also used frequently in his films. However, they are all well-drawn and very meticulously portrayed, having a different style than his previous works. In terms of the depth given to them, it is closer to The Garden of Words more than anything else, which is a good thing.

Audio

Combined with the entrancing quality artwork that pulls you towards the universe Shinkai had crafted, the soundtrack can give you a sense of reality, like you really were born there. Tenmon really outdid himself this time. I was brought to my knees while listening to the score and staring at the background. I felt that I was there, going together along the main characters. I felt that that I was standing behind their backs, while looking at the scenery, feeling the wind, and breathe in the sweet fragrance that filled the air. Imagine sitting in the grass while your eyes feast on the breathtaking mountains and awe-filled landscape that this fabricated reality can offer.

Definitely the best soundtrack from Makoto's works. It's perfect right to the very end. Especially, the song in the end really conveys the film's message of moving on from the things that you have lost. It's absolutely spectacular and wonderful.

Characters

This film has the best characterization by far in Shinkai's works. The characters are really well-crafted and given a depth that no other works of him can hope to achieve. What makes them so good? The painstakingly details and focus related to the characters. They were all given a background story that made them realistic enough. They have their own purpose for journeying, completely valid reasons of course.

First, the heroine, Asuna. At first, you might think that her motive is simple and clear, that is for love. But, in the end we realize that wasn't it all about. It was actually the sense of longing to be accepted that drives her actions. This is quite a surprise for me, at least. She is not the boring two-dimensional character that many of Shinkai's characters suffer. She was also depicted as an independent and free-spirited girl, a rather unusual type of character for himself.

Second, the male protagonist, Shin. He was filled with a sense of honor, a code to uphold his job. However, in the end, we can see that his motivations are not longer filled with all of that, but with other things. By what? Affection. But, I'm not done yet. He was also filled with chivalry, courage, to protect what's precious to him, and a more ambiguous morality. What I mean by that is he began to see the world in a larger scope and see the greater good. His morals are now not black and white but blended with grey areas. His moral obligations interfere with his sense of duty and this in turn create a tumultuous inner conflict.

Last but not the least, Morisaki. This is the most complex character Shinkai had created I think. It is quite satisfying to see his character development and how he acts every single time. First of all, we are introduced to him not directly, but from a foreshadowing. By the time we are introduced to him, we have figured out his outer motives. However, his outer demeanors are only facade to conceal what he truly is. We know from the story that his quest for his love's revival is actually the main thing that drives him. He is seen at first to be a cold, manipulative, and calculating man of stature. But, from time to time we see him cracks and shows other sides of him that we never thought of. This is what I call a good character, really shows how a person can have two different sides of a coin.

The climax really makes all of these characters shining, especially Morisaki. Love the time where I can see he clearly thought that what he did was wrong but nevertheless decided to go through with it. An over the top performance from the voice actors also. They delivered the lines perfectly, with the right amount of emotions and feelings.

How the main characters react to the death of their loved ones really contrast with each other. Asuna, who lost her "lover" Shun seems driven by his death to complete her quest, but actually she has unknowingly accepted it long ago, and in the end finally realizes that she has moved on. Morisaki, however still longs for his wife and doesn't accept her death until the very end. He can't truly live without her. Such devotion from a seemingly cold-hearted person. Shin, the brother of Shun doesn't truly saddened by his death because he has accepted that it was Shun's fault and he has a job to do. There's no time to mourn for his loss.

Conclusion

The characters are really well-developed and it's good to see an epic adventure film that draws you in, rather than the one that draws you out. Shinkai really did a great job at making an adventure film. I wonder if he would do another one in the future? Actually, I think he shines brighter outside his comfort zone. That's why I hope this is not the last time we see him creating an adventure film, or at least films that are thought to be outside his reach.