Grave of the Fireflies

Rating:
Summary: Animation that goes beyond
Review: Can you imagine being moved to tears and emotional turmoil by an animated film? I'm not talking about Bambi tears or the wonder of watching some of the recent technological developments in the world of animation. I'm talking about truly human emotions rising up and causing one to think, feel, question... This move generates these sensations- the animation is great in the standard Japanime way but the story and the depiction of the characters' experiences and feelings are unbelievable. I didn't realize that I could feel compassion or sympathize so deeply for this medium of film. The slightest subtleties come through in the way that brother and sister are drawn and embodied- the pain and misery of war comes through, as incredulous as it seems. This is an animated story with a real heart and a real message to tell. You can't miss it!

Rating:
Summary: this is more depressing than casualties of war
Review: i like happy go lucky cheerful films with a minimum of depressing elements. but this film is just too depressing for me. the pace of the film is too slow for me. i should have been warned by the cover but the name sounded unique and different from the oridinary animated film. and different it was. i was depressed for the rest of the day because as much as i love films that escape reality (like little nemo adventures in slumber land), this film was based off of true elements and it landed me right in the center of reality. and i didnt like that feeling at all.

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Summary: The first movie to make me cry
Review: I just finished viewing this film tonight and it left me in tears. This film easily is one of the most powerful films that I have ever watched. My grandmother was a teenager living in Berlin in 1940-41 when it was first being bombed by the British every night. Now I know how she felt to be pulled from her bed to go down into the air raid shelter. I believe this film should be required watching for the current occupant of the White House, perhaps it would make him think before he gives the order to rain bombs down on another city filled with innocent children. This film might well make you cry as I did but it is one of the best films I have ever seen--a truly gripping account from the seldom heard other sides of the story of the world's greatest conflict.

Rating:
Summary: Must see
Review: The movie opens with a shot of a kid, sitting at the base of a column in a train station. We see him for a few seconds as his life is slowly ending. Then he dies.
A janitor sees him, and counts him as one more casualty of the war's outcome. He picks up an old red can that the kid was holding on to. He wonders what's in it. He tastes its contents. He exchanges some words with a co-worker, then he throws the can to a field.
The can lands in a field of grass, and fireflies arise. We now see the image of a little girl, who looks at the can, then at the dead kid in the train station. She feels compelled to run towards him, but someone stops her. It's the kid. He picks up the can, now looks like new, and gives it to her. They smile to each other. They are reunited now.

And so starts one of the greatest anime films of all time.
This is by far the must gutwrenching scene in the movie. You will not know it the first time you see it, but once you have, once you have seen the struggle for survival of Seita and Setsuko in the middle of WW2, you will understand.

I won't discuss more of the "events" that follow or should I say, precede this scene. That's better described in the tons of reviews this movie has. But, this is a movie that should be watched by anime fans an non-fans alike. It's hard, and painful, to watch, but essential nonetheless.

Rating:
Summary: Do you cry easily?you'll definatly need wads of kleenex
Review: I have a hard time reccomending this film because it's totally depressing,but i watched it three or four times when i first rented it because it's so beautiful,and evertyime you watch it you're sure the characters are going to live through the trouble but you have to remind yourself of what you see at the begining of the film.I cried two minutes into the film and i cry evertyime I see it.It's beautifully done and well-acted.If you think all animes are like "sailor moon" or "pokemon" you must see this film.

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Summary: Best anti-war film
Review: I have never submitted a review to Amazon before but watching this amazing film inspired me to share my thoughts. The characters in this film are so real and the issues so relevant that it should be watched by everyone. I had such a gutteral reaction to this film, it is hard for me to put into words how I truly feel, but as I sit here I am still crying for these poor children. The love between the brother and sister is remarkable. There are images in this film that I can't get out of my mind and I know I will carry them for a very long time. The Grand Joke of War is that, most often, children who have the most to lose and understand war the least, are the ones most touched by it. While families, politicians and the military speak of patriotism, freedom, and justice, children pay the price. Without a doubt, my pick for the best anti-war film I have ever seen. Don't miss it because it is animated, this film is as good as any live action film.

Rating:
Summary: one of the best
Review: definatly one of the best japanese animation has produced. one of those movies that leaves you with a sense of meloncoly. grave of the fireflies is one of those films that should be watched by anime and non anime fans. it will most likely make you cry, which shows that the story has that much impact.

Rating:
Summary: Incredible
Review: Although it's been several years since I last saw this movie, I still remember it as vividly as if I had seen it yesterday. This story will touch heart, and if it doesn't, then you possibly have no heart to touch. And even though I watched the Japanese version, the animation was so astounding that the expressions on the charactcers' faces was enough to tell me what was going on.

This film relates the tragedies sustained by Japan during WWII, and in no way portrays Japan as an attacker. Everyone is in a pitiful state, and the main chracters, Seita and his little sister Setsuko asre probabaly th emost pititful of all.

The ending wrenches at your heart, and the more faint hearted of you will be reduced to tears, both at the poignant ending, and the pure mastery of the story.

Rating:
Summary: there should be a warning label
Review: wow. first off i have to say this is an exellent movie. superb animation, exellent soundtrack, just really good all around.

now that that's out of the way i have to say that this movie is totally not for the feint of heart. it said on the box that it was for ages 3 and up. that almost doesn't make sence. the film is very very negative. you get to watch two orphaned children die slowly, with an indifferent society that turns away and doesn't look too close.

if you like sad movies, this is definatley for you. if you can't handle extreme negativity, then stay away. if sad songs and stories that make you cry feel good to you when you're in the mood, than give this flick a try. i really liked it, even though it was so negative.

Rating:
Summary: Incredibly touching
Review: I was emotionally exhausted after watching this film, but I also feel I was educated as to the horrors of war. I highly recommend this film, it's incredible.