Belle
Belle draws inspiration from the fairytale Beauty and the Beast, delivering the message of not judging a book by its cover. The movie focuses on Suzu, a high school student who gains popularity through the virtual reality world called ‘U’ under the persona ‘Belle’. This leads her on an adventure to uncover the identity of a beast fleeing from vigilantes.
The highlight of Belle is the animation and original score. The film has jaw-dropping, vibrant visuals that perfectly capture the essence of a virtual reality world and the film immediately immerses you in the world of ‘U’ with its opening song. Music is at the heart of this movie, and the soundtrack does this justice. I loved how impactful the soundtrack is and how it intensifies the emotions that each scene is trying to stimulate.
Personally, the most affecting aspect of the film is Suzu’s battle with grief and anger towards her mother for leaving her alone after saving another child. It’s only when she is put in the same position that she fully understands and can break free from the struggles of dealing with her mother’s death. This itself makes it a tear-jerking and emotional movie worth the watch.
Weathering with You
This visually appealing fantasy romance, directed by Makoto Shinkai, is about a high school runaway, who befriends an orphan girl who can control the weather.
Weathering with You has hyper-relastic animation, captivating visual portrayals of weather, a powerful original score, an intriguing plot and fully-fledged characters you grow to love. It’s a movie with a good balance of fun and heart-gripping suspenseful moments.
The concerns and impact of climate change are at the centre of the film. However, the director also spotlights the challenges of teenagers in unfortunate circumstances that force them to act like adults. Despite this, they can express their youthful, carefree side through their interactions and even experience love.
This film is a mesmerising journey that you absolutely must experience. From its beautiful visuals to its heartwarming story, it’s a film that will leave you spellbound and wanting more.
The Deer King
Masashi Ando’s film is about a warrior, Van, who escapes from a salt mine with a little girl, Yuna, after a vicious dog attack that carries a disease, killing everyone in the mine. The movie focuses on Van protecting Yuna and uncovering the truth behind the plague.
Although the movie drags at times, the father-daughter relationship between Van and Yuna, which I adore, is my favourite element due to its focus on family. The plot is impactful, and the characters are enjoyable. The animation is equally delightful, with a nostalgic feel that is pleasant to the eye.
Promare
Studio Trigger’s debut film, Promare, directed by Hiroyuki Imaishi is set 30 years after flame-wielding mutants destroyed half the world in a fire and focuses on a new set of mutants in a new battle.
Studio Trigger’s art style, a personal favourite, is beautifully showcased in Promare. The film’s unique, jaw-dropping and colourful visuals are not just eye candy but a gateway to a world of emotions. It’s an action-packed movie with vibrant, explosive animations and intense original scores that heighten the emotional impact of the action sequences. The plot, with its balance of humour and profound moments, is a testament to the film’s depth.
At first glance, with its lengthy action sequences, Promare may seem like a typical action and battle-focused movie. However, as the film unfolds, it delves deeper, becoming a thought-provoking exploration of heroism and villainy. The portrayal of the fire-blazed mutants as misunderstood beings adds a layer of complexity to the movie, setting the stage for a compelling narrative and character relationships.
Picturevile’s popular Anime Afternoons continue at The Studio from Saturday 25 May 2024, screening:
- Penguin Highway (PG) – 25 May, 14.00
- Patema Inverted (12A) – 15 June, 14.00
- Your Name (12A) – 22 June, 14.00