Rating: 
Summary: Review From A Person Who Hates Anime
Review: First of all, I have to say that I am no fan of the anime genre. I absolutely HATE anime, but I was forced to watch this movie by my college roommate. Now, I am thankful she forced me to do so, because this movie was abolutley wonderful. I watched it over and over again, each time crying. I never knew anime could be so good! My only impression of anime was cheesy, crude drawings of naked people and giant robots and mouths that never move when they talked. The animation in this movie was wonderful! Almost as good as American cartoons...even better than some. I loved the plot of this movie, although there wasn't much of one...it was mainly about life in Japan during WWII and the affects it has on the innocent ones. It follows the story of a brother and sister's tragic journey. To all of you out there who gave this movie one star because you didn't like the brother because he was lazy...then you absolutely missed the point of this movie. I too did not like the older brother...but then I realized that he was still a child himself and was not ready to be thrown into the real world of life and death, like everyone else. He did what he could to protect his beloved sister...she was his all in all. He was not accustomed to the harsh reality...and ultimately paid the price for not being able to adjust to the real world. By this, the director has made the character more realistic, even though it might anger you that the boy could have done more to survive or even swallowed his pride and apologize to his aunt for his selfishness. For a movie to evoke such anger in you, it has to be good. Just remember when you watch this movie, that boy is also a victim...not only of the war but of his own self and immaturity. I kinda felt sorry for him, but angry at the same time. We all make our own opinions, but if you hate this movie because of the boy...then you lose the whole meaning of this movie.
Rating:
Summary: A movie that almost made me shed a tear
Review: I'm new to amazon reviews...so i'll start with this one, which i recently bought. To start off, I'm a 21 yr old college student that doesn't really cry when watching movies, but this one startled me, especially when is it just an anime that made me almost shed tears. It's about an older brother and a younger sister who tried really hard to survive a war against the americans when they bomb'd japan. It's a very mela-dramatic movie based on the japan vs american war. The two had to endure man days of mal nurished and tried really hard to stay alive during the war, but the body can only do so much, espeically when you're only 12 and 4 yr old.
Ppl, give this movie a try
Rating:
Summary: A Brilliant, Enlightening Experience
Review: One of the best war movies you will ever see, Grave of the Fireflies is a story of survival and offers a unique perspective presented in a way which roils the emotions. It is a biography. It is not an attempt to glorify or objectify the consequences of war but, rather, to provide a look at the sad and fateful lives of two young individuals trapped in the middle of a vicious conflict. Following the experiences of 14-year old Seita and his 4-year old sister Setsuko, the audience watches their lives fall apart one step at a time. The death of their mother, rejection by an indifferent aunt, learning that the Pacific fleet (where their father served) has fallen, all while trying to survive on their own in a chaotic, unforgiving environment. Grave of the Fireflies is not an anti-war movie. Its message is not "war is bad", there is no message. It simply tells the terrible, dead-honest truth of what two children, caught inbetween warring nations, must endure to survive and, ultimately, the futility of their efforts.
Rating:
Summary: Not Your Typical Anime
Review: No robots. No oppressive futuristic societies. No precocious kids with destructive psychic abilities. No forest spirits. This is straight forward historical fiction, something that, from what I've seen, anime has an innate ability to display. Grave of the Fireflies is Barefoot Gen minus the political undertones. Which is one of the things that makes this film so wonderful. No politics, simply people struggling to survive. No message delivered with a bludgeon, merely the story of one human being's love for another. Many people, it seems, find too much to complain about in the characterizations of the two kids. That's not the issue. Of course they're annoying and bratty, they're human. What is admirable is the undying love Seita shows for his little sister, and the concept that whatever he does, he does for her; however mislead this concept may be is, in the human sense, irrelevant to the beauty it displays. Beautiful animation and soundtrack; lovely imagery and coloring technique. Not to be missed.
Rating:
Summary: This WILL tear your heart.
Review: Just finished watching this. I dont even know what to think...write.. This is probably one of the best animation movies ever made. Never thought it would make me cry. What is sad is that the reality of this movie still exists. It doesnt matter if its 1945 or 2003 - War brings destruction and suffering anywhere, anytime. Amazing potrayal of human suffering in these animated characters. My hats off especially to the artist who sketched Setsuko (the sister).
Rating:
Summary: not fot lovers of the obvious
Review: in today's mtv generation everything in the entertainment and media is expected to hit you in the face, presented on a shiny silver platter and keep you entertained from beginning to end. this movie has moments where it leaves you 'alone' at the risk of being boring (which is how some have seemed to perceive it) to such an expectant audience, but to those who are willing to overlook the lack of fast paced, brute entertainment, it is a must see.
Rating:
Summary: An undescribable feeling.
Review: How do I describe this movie? Non-uplifting (downlifting isn't a word). It was the saddest movie I've ever seen. But I'm happy I watched it. The few bits of joy in the movie, I would ruin by thinking about how Setsuko's looking forward to seeing her mother when she'll never see her again. I enjoy drawing comics. I can't right now. I enjoy writing stories. Before I saw the movie I was writing one. Now I can't continue it. Maybe tomorrow. Maybe in a few days. Maybe even later tonight. But not now. Now I'm not even sure if I want to watch Who's Line is it Anyway right now. I don't think I could handle having my spirit go up right now. It's an amazing movie. The ending is not uplifting at all; in fact it represents the saddest part of the movie. But it's something you need to see. Never think anime's all fighting, robots and schoolgirls. Take Hayao Miyazaki, though non-based on the real world, his movies are a pleasant surprise. This movie is sad. Don't show your eight-year-old. Just don't expect a good feeling out of the outcome. It's an indescribable feeling. Just blankness. I'm not up to writing this. But I feel I have to write a review before this feeling leaves me, or it won't be true. I can't say I enjoyed watching it. I don't really want to say it like this, because my feelings right now are anything but happy, but I'm happy I watched it. Basically, don't expect anything. Don't expect happy. But sad isn't the only word to describe it. There are others, that don't exist, to describe this movie. Watch it and you too will have this feeling. I'm not up for signing my name in this review, so I'll leave it at this.
Rating: 
Summary: Grandiose waste of talent
Review: Let me start out be stating that I viewed this in Japan, where I lived up until last Christmas - I read, write and naturally speak Japanese fluently. I saw this movie in the Japanese original. Further, I am a huge Studio Ghibli fan - I have just about ALL their production that has been released on DVD with ONE exception, this movie... Why didn't I like it? The main character is such a spineless, incompetent, suicidal and downright useless individual that it ruins the entire movie. All around him all other Japanese try their darndest to survive the very tough circumstances but not this guy, noooo, he just withdraws all their savings, steals from the local farmers etc. Finally his sister dies because of his incompetence. Pathetic. Brilliant animation work however - Studio Ghibli all the way. Don't waste your money on this nonsense, get another Ghibli instead.
Rating: 
Summary: What is all the hype for?
Review: Having watched this twice now, I will say with all certainty that this movie does not in any way deserve 5 stars. Essentially a tragic documentary of the effects of WWII on two children in Japan, the movie has a good heart but fails in its execution.
The first problem is that the animation and sound are absolutely unspectacular adn add nothing to the mood. Havign watched many good documentaries and specials on World War II and Japan's involvment in it, I can say with experience that how you present something can add immesuably to historical film's impact and mood.
The second problem is that the main characters they use are iritating and I personally had a hard time feeling sorry for them or the conditions they were experiencing. No, I am not a heartless ..., but if you are attempting to show a tragedy about how two children are hurt and effected by a war, its usually a snart move to make those charcters likable in some way so that those watching can grow attached to them.
Finally, the third main problem is that, in many ways, the movie is to real and not fantastic or emotional enough. No, I'm not suggesting that they add fictional elements to the movie to make it more exciting or add more fighting, but at least other war and historical documentaries that show the life of those involved in troubled times tend to use imagery and people that are exciting or interesting to watch. I would suggest watching the Chinese film "TO LIVE" if you don't know what I mean. Overall, GotF was a movie with a great concept, but an utterly horrible way of doing it. While it was noble to make an anime that showed how war effects families and children, this movie fails to capitalize on truly pulling on one's heart-strings and truly creating an interesting and enjoyable movie. What you're left with instead is a movie that attempts to throw harsh reality and tragedy in your face and leaves you feeling like the entire movie is a cheap B movie sob story.
Rating:
Summary: Powerful. Frightful. Helpless.
Review: After watching this anime feature you will turn the TV off in silent stock and cry, or go lay down, or both. The anime, no, this movie, drags us along with two children, as they slowly lose against hunger, grief, death and indifference. Only the two things that don't seem to break is their love for each other and the little girl's spirit.
There are bright moments, like tiny fruit drops of happiness and joy, which seem to lift our spirits slightly before diving us back into the neverending downward journey of these two doomed orphans. We know they are doomed but those brief scenes of pure love and delight give us hope, even where there is none.
The setting of World War II Japan, with the burnt cities, the helpless authorities, the defeated people and the red glow of fires and bombing runs, just adds to the feeling of neverending change and uncertainty.
Right up there with made-for-TV 'The Day After'. Don't let kids watch it.
|
