Grave of the Fireflies

Rating:
Summary: This has it all
Review: I bought Grave of the Fireflies on a whim. Having become addicted to the movies of Miyazaki, I stumbled on this title a an Amazon.com recommendation. I read the descriptions and reviews and decided to chance a few bucks to see what all the fuss what about.

Rarely have I spent my money better. Grave of the Fireflies is not just one the best animated films of all time -- it is one of the best films of all time period. It is the semi-autobiographical tale of two children trying to survive in Japan during the last days of World War II. Having lost their parents, they stuggle to survive through the terrifying fire-bombing of their city, the resentment of their surviving relatives and the gradual depletion of their food supplies. I won't spoil it for you by telling you that it ends in tragedy -- the very first words of the film reveal this.

But for a movie whose subject is so depressing and tragic, this is, at the same time, an uplifting and inspiring film. The interaction between Seita and Setsuko is a wonder to behold. Some of the films moments -- Seita and Setsuko smuggling fireflies under their mosquito nets and the stunning cremation scene -- have stayed in my mind for months after watching them. This is a film that draws tears from the viewer while at the same time inspiring him to enjoy life. It's a rare gem of a movie than can do both.

The Collector's Edition is an oustanding DVD. The transfer is simply beautiful. The extra have some nice touches including an interview with Roger Ebert -- a relentless champion of this movie.

Take the plunge. You won't regret it.

Rating:
Summary: depressing but great
Review: this movie is really depressing because it is realistic but it is such a great movie its about this young boy and his little sister that have to live along because thier mom died inthe war. anyways if you like depressing movies this is a great movie to get but if you odnt then i wouldnt reccomend it.

Rating:
Summary: not your typical war film
Review: I am not a fan of animated films, but I must say that "Grave of the Fireflies" is a must see.

I have heard comments that this film is anti-war. I do not believe it is anti-war, but it does capture a portrait of a side of war that you do not witness a lot in movies: the civilians.

We are all familiar with movies like Platoon, Patton, and Black Hawk Down. These are war movies that we are the most familiar with, and, like with most war movies, focus on the warrior and the persons involved in combat. Grave of the Fireflies, on the other hand, shows the faces of the people who are innocently caught up in the middle of mankinds politics at it's ugliest.

Grave of the Fireflies does not tell its viewers that war is wrong no matter what. It simply shows the reality of World War 2, which was one of the ugliest wars in world history. A lot was on the line during that war, and as a consequence the battles were often times brutal and unforgiving, often times resulting in the deaths of thousands of innocents.

Grave of the Fireflies is definitly a must see for anyone who enjoys war films! It definitly explores an area in war-film that hasn't been explored as much as it should be, and it does an excellent job at showing just how strong the human spirit can be.

Rating:
Summary: Great anime and background
Review: Grave of the Fireflies is an animated account of Japan during World War 2 - as seen through the eyes of a young brother and sister.

First, this is definitely not a cartoon for young kids. The mother of the 2 children is killed during a bombing of the city. As her fly-covered body is hauled off, young Seita takes charge of his younger sister, Setsuko. But their short lives are not happy ones.

The movie was meticulously researched and implemented, from mirroring realistic locations to telling a story which comes from real life survivors. Its most compelling message is how war affects youngster - and how many adults do not take the time to properly care for those children. To be fair, many adults in this story were having trouble finding nourishment for themselves, so to also take in an orphaned pair of children would have been a hardship.

Seita and Setsuko find moments of joy and beauty in their lives, whether it's playing on the beach or catching fireflies in the dark. But the grinding wheels of poverty and despair catch them up as Setsuko slowly dies of malnutrition.

Now, as much as I *love* this film, I have to bring something up. I have a 14 year old son myself - Seita's age. I have a BIG issue with one of the premises here. Seita is at an age when children are rather self sufficient. Seita is quite able to scrounge for food and cook meals when he needs to. He knows that his parents have a bank account with money in it. Yet instead of using it productively, he lets the money sit there (after an extravagant initial purchase of 'fancy' white rice, an umbrella and cooking supplies) while his sister dies. Why didn't he take out more money and miserly use the pennies for basic foods? He's able to buy plenty at the end but by then it's too late. Why didn't he go door to door offering to do work for food? He has plenty of time to steal, but none to beat the street. While I agree their situation seemed pretty hopeless, his sister didn't die of malnutrition in days. That takes months. He had plenty of time to take action, and not swing on his swing.

Rating:
Summary: A gorgeous film
Review: Absolutely wonderful. One of my all time favorites.

Rating:
Summary: One word: Wow.
Review: I had read reviews and searched many places for a good Anime. After watching Princess Mononoke, I decided to try grave of the fireflies. Now, I expected this movie to be overrated after having so many reviews and an average of five stars. I didn't believe this movie would make me cry. No movie has ever made me cry.

I couldn't believe it. I put in this movie, and right away I just felt a sense of depression. My eyes were hot and teary the whole movie. I didn't want to keep watching because it only got worse. (for the charecters I mean, not the movie) But I just felt I couldn't stop. I needed to know what was going to happen. At the end of the movie, I ended up crying, crying like I have never cried before. After the movie, I cried and I felt like a different person. I went to bed, and couldn't sleep because I couldn't stop thinking of this movie.

Wow. This movie was extremely powerful. I now don't think it gets enough credit that it deserves. Everyone should watch this movie. But I don't think this movie is for younger children-- it's more for older teens and adults. That way, people will fully understand the message.

If you haven't seen this movie, see it. You won't be dissapointed, but you may be a different person.

Rating:
Summary: "In 1945, on the night of September 21, I died."
Review: Isao Takahata's "Grave of the Fireflies" is an animated feature with high aspirations. This is not the stuff of a coyote chasing a roadrunner or a semi-coherent dog and meddling kids solving mysteries. No, "Grave of the Fireflies" is a film about horror and suffering. It is a film about painful experiences and the need to let people know that such suffering actually took place and still takes place in certain corners of the world today.

"Grave of the Fireflies" employs an Eastern narrative that dwells more on contemplation and consequences than dynamic action. The result is a film that is lush and beautiful in its visual poetry but which is sometimes too ponderous for its own good. There are lulls where the film seems to be running in place as certain sequences generate too much self reflection. Yet, in no way does this aspect of the film dull its emotional impact. This is a gut-wrenching film that will force people to reassess their preconceptions of animated features. "Grave of the Fireflies" is an animated film that feels more real than most live-action films and a painful reminder that soldiers alone are not the only parties who can become casualties of war.

Rating:
Summary: not for crybabies
Review: Wow!
Great, sad and beautiful all in one. A story about love and devotion an older sibling has. I cried my eyes out. Not the kind of movie you want to watch with children who have fears about dying and losing family.

Rating:
Summary: Remembering Love...
Review: I first heard of GofF while reading through Ebert's greatest movies of all time reviews. At first glance I was not impressed, war based movies has always been a turn off for me. I did not even know it at the time that it was an Anime! Nonetheless I went out and got a copy. The clerk had to convince me that the Anime is the actual movie I was looking for.
I started the film thinking that this was a perfect movie to help me with my insomnia. Within the first 10 minutes of film I find myself very disturbed. This movie is not about war, it is about unconditional love, courage, hope and the will to carry on despite all odds.

For the last 3 years, I have been occupying myself with either work or personal interests. I have not had the time for my family and friends. Always convinced myself that at least my intentions were good...

This movie hurted me deeply in a sense where it made me realized that I have lost touch with myself, I have forgotten what love was or even how to love. It brought me back to my adolescent years, before I was brainwash by society, before the lusts, greed and drugs. To my simpler days when time seems to last forever. It help reminded me what love was and what is really important in life.

This film will dig deep into your heart then rip it out within a heartbeat. Only with such pain and suffering will you know how very much alive you are. I highly recommend this film to all whom are of age and mind, to better understand all the different views that this film can portray. To each his/her own!

Rating:
Summary: I recommend this film to everybody.
Review: I agree with one of the others - this does not seem to be a blatantly anti-war film. It just tells a story very well. In a typical anti-war film, would they have made the "victims" rich kids? If it has a message beyond the personal strength and character of the boy, the creators did a wonderful job of disguising it.

I love this film. It's in my top five.