Rating: 
Summary: Children starving ...- not a "kids" cartoon!!
Review: This "cartoon" is a very serious ADULT drama. Set in WW2 Japan, it has everything and nothing to do with that war. It's about a young boy, who lacks the maturity/ street smarts to keep himself and his 3 year old sister alive. If this was "Disney" - they would meet the challanges, Some kindly adult will come to the rescue, etc. It's not Disney. They slowly, starve to death, and no one else helps them. Some adults do care, but are too caught up in there own survival. (To make things worse- the boy does have alternatives - he does not have the maturity to see this. Things like money in the bank! Buying expensive, nutritially deficient white rice- instead of brown. He's in the country, on a lake, surrounded by food sources he does not know how to use. Do your kids? Do You?) Miyazaki is a genius, even the most subtle scene has a reason, sets a mood, has a hidden meaning. We are NOT conditioned to children dying like this in cartoons, or any form of "entertainment" - this is hard to watch - yet as I write this - an child is orphaned and another starves to death -This movie haunts the soul. It's a wake up call. An adult must see. (and a MUST see for teenagers who think there grown up.)
NOT FOR CHILDREN! This is every childs deepest subconcious fear brought to "life".
Rating:
Summary: Amazing
Review: "Grave of the Fireflies"'s strength lies in its deeply personal view of war. Unlike many other war movies of the past half century, it is not politically motivated, nor does it show the horrors of battle first-hand. It is simply the story of a young boy in rural Japan, who out of undying love for his little sister does everything in his power to protect her. No matter what you've heard about this film (I had been told the ending before I had even seen it), nothing will prepare you for the emotional impact it has. After repeated viewings, I still cry when Setsuko tries to give Seita her rice balls made out of mud, Setsuko's funeral, and the very end. Like most other anime movies, it is far superior in its subtitled form, although the scenes with no dialogue (the opening, memories of Setsuko, and the very end) are the most powerful. The film has a lovely soundtrack which compliments the scenes with perfect mood. The art direction is beautiful (done by the acclaimed artist of Princess Mononoke and other Hayao Miyazaki films). Possibly the best anime of all time, and far more powerful than anything Hollywood could pull off, this film will move you to tears many times over.
Rating:
Summary: "STILL RAIN"
Review: Oh yeah - this one stays with you for a long - long time. Moving, disturbing, sad, and much more, yet a pattern set to repart itself over and over again. Simple, animation - nothing too 'real' yet it draws you into the world and plight of the doomed children, and leaves quite a lot to the conscience of 'surviviors'. Should be mandatory viewing .....
Rating:
Summary: Dropping like fireflies
Review: When I was a young kid, Japanese animes were always on Tv. They were in series of course and not only children but grown ups also enjoyed it and after every episode we couldnt wait for the next week. Marco, candy,heidi,vikings,maya the bee ,pinnochio,flying goose and countless others took us to the dream world. They were nothing like the super cyber Akira and the rest. They were very well designed and stories were brilliantly written. Most of these animes however were sad or had sad moments which were basicly about wars ,deaths,losses and separation. But mostly (not all of them) ending was optimistic and happy.
In Japan unlike the west, animes are not only made for kids. I personally believe that grown ups especially youth adores them and they watch it on big screen.
Grave of fireflies is an example of pre Akira period anime.Yes it is a sad anime because firstly it is an anti war movie. Secondly you exactly know whats coming from the very early screens of the film. It is based on the last days of Japanese empire in ww2 when Japan was under bombardment of US planes. Our hero is a little kid who tries to help his little sister and survive in those days of hardship. Fire bombs rain on the city, food is very less,and accomodation is burnt and families are all shattered.His mother dies during a raid and high rank officer father never replies back from his ship of the imperial navy. He remembers the pre war days and days of happiness and pride when they were together and how nation was strong.these are presented in wise falshbacks throughout the film. War time is presented with its all cold reality. Families are shattered, people are changed and become selfish, basic needs of life is hard to find.He buys, borrows and steals food for his little sister and for himself even dangering his life during air raids.When he brings his sister to the doctor, doctor says she needs nourishment not medicines. He shouts back "where is the nourishment ?"
As I mentioned, the flashbacks really work well, especially pouring huge rivers of emotion to the viewer when loved ones die. Director uses all the advantages af an anime and makes them as dramatic as it can be. People are represented as fireflies who drop and die so quickly and so young.They light the area that surround themselves for a while and after go off. Like a group of fireflies, they are put in mass graves together.During the film we never see anything from the front and battlefields. We only see the bombardments and the damage done to the civilians. Director shows here that home front is also no better than the frontlines and death is hiding in every corner, dressed in many ugly costumes. Director's way of painting this movie as an anti war film also make us to think about other nations who suffered even greater pains during the war. Mothers,children,hunger,illness and death are all international issues of war and director manages to capture the conceptof an non pretentious anti war film very well. Actually Grave of fire flies with its all cold reality and human warmth , succeeds where most of the anti war movies fail. Maybe because of anime's freedom and limitations, maybe not.
It is a very sad move so better prepare yourself before the film If you are calling yourself a hardened person (If you are going to watch it with a group) . Otherwise make sure to prepare some tissues.
War does not kill only soldiers but also many fireflies. Fireflies like us and our families.
Rating:
Summary: One of the saddest and most powerful movies I've ever seen..
Review: I'm not the biggest fan of Japanese animation, but this film is absolutely beautiful. I don't see how anyone could not absolutely love this film. Grave of the Fireflies is a powerful anti-war film that will touch anyone, no matter what culture or country you live in. It is one of the greatest films I have ever seen, animated or live-action. The story revolves around a brother and a sister, Seita- 14, and Setsuko- 4. It shows the brother, Seita, as he tries to get enough food for himself and for his sister, and food is not an easy thing to come by in post World War II- Japan. The ending is powerful, and had me crying like a baby... I watched this movie 3 days ago, and I still cry whenever I think about it. Many of the scenes I feel will be haunting me for a long time. Every time Setsuko started crying, I felt like crying along with her. The director did a very good job of portraying the characters and making them seem real. It is an extremely powerful, yet beautiful film depicting the evils of war. The animation is great, and the dubbing is pretty solid, although not perfect. The soundtrack is also excellent. It is a must for any DVD collection, and just begs for repeated viewings. The movie would probably get a PG rating, it does have a little bit of violence and blood, but I honestly wouldn't want to show it to anyone under the age of 12. The overall story and message are too depressing for many. I am 23 and I was bawling by the end of the movie.
Rating:
Summary: The one movie that must be seen in one's lifetime..
Review: Wow, when I saw this when browsing through Amazon, the pic/cover of the DVD, memories just all poured into me! Many people have something that they can never forget and this is something I can never forget, the memory of 2 children isolated and ignored by others in WWII. I watched this movie on VHS when I was in Gr 3/4 and this IS the movie that haunted my mind for a long time. It is such a beautifully made movie and even if I was very young at the time, every second of the film kept me captivated, hopeful, yet sad all the way. I can definitely say that you will honestly love the characters very much. It was also the first movie I cried in. Everybody should watch this movie because it gives a different perspective to what war is like. This movie is more relevant to us now, since our world is in such chaos. War isn't just about seeking revenge, being greedy or power. It is the exact opposite of that, as we see in this film. The war where the country is faught will ruin its people and it is shocking at the after effects of the war that this film shows us. This movie relates to a lot of us, because many of us have siblings or family we love very much and hopefully this film will be watched by many people for them to realise that war rots people. This film is an absolute classic and should not be missed!
Rating:
Summary: The most beautiful elegy to all innocent victims of all wars
Review: A most unusual blend of beauty, and sadness, to display the cruel consequences of war. Slowly and steadily, as if in slow motion, we are slapped in the face with the miserable reality of the main characters, devastating and cruel reality, shown so simply and so powerfully from the very first to the very last second of the movie. Some parts literally smash your heart to sorrow. Graphically speaking the movie displays such a breathtaking look. Not just the sceneries and overall style, even minor details like the leaves and debris flying across the scenery in several shots truly resemble the paintings of Hokusai or Hiroshigue (which I happen to be very fond of). The artistic value of the visuals works perfectly in service of the powerful emotional substance explored in this movie, the combination is just perfect. There are several moments that I personally find truly poetic and most sublime in Grave of the fireflies. Forget whether you hate or enjoy war movies, or whether you like or dislike animated or manga movies. Grave of the Fireflies really stands far beyond any preconceptions you might have for these categories.
Rating:
Summary: ATTENTION: THIS IS A QUESTION LOOKING FOR AN ANSWER
Review: Although I think this is a fantastic movie -- this is not a review; it is really a question: Is the digital transfer on this film good? -- I own the single DVD edition, which does have its weak points, and I was wondering whether or not this collector's edition is worth buying: Is it a good upgrade from what I already own?
Rating:
Summary: Why war is so very, very wrong...
Review: This movie is one of those that is so powerful and so painful to watch that you may only see it once in your life, but the images will stay with you forever. From the opening sequence where you go "What? What did I just see? Is this true?" to the final poignant images... it pulls no punches, makes no excuses, just shows you the ultimate cost of war. This movie shows quite graphically - but not gratuitously - how war turns a society over, leaving it base, unfair and even barbaric. Until the very thing that every adult should be striving to preserve is lost... the futures and even the lives of children. Something to think about, indeed.
Rating:
Summary: One of the best animated movies ever made!
Review: Finally, one of the best animated movies ever made gets the collector's edition DVD treatment! Made in 1988, Grave Of The Fireflies proves that animation can tell serious, moving stories. This story will break your heart and make you cry. Based on a celebrated novel by Akiyuki Nosaka and lovingly adapted for the screen by writer-director-animator Isao Takahata, Grave Of The Fireflies is set in Japan during the last days of World War 2. Kobe, 1945. American fighter planes firebomb the city to ruins. 14-year-old Seita and his 4-year-old little sister Setsuko made it to the bomb shelter, but their mother wasn't so lucky. With their father in the Navy and no one left to care for them, the kids stay with an aunt who deeply resents having to feed them and treats them cruelly. Tired of their aunt's verbal abuse, Seita and Setsuko leave and wander the devastated Japanese landscape in search of food and shelter, both of which are very scarce. But they have each other, and that's all they need. Until Setsuko becomes gravely ill from malnutrition. Desperate to feed his little sister, Seita tries to get food by any means possible, including theft, a crime during wartime. In one of many painful scenes, Seita takes a dying Setsuko to the doctor, who tells him that all she needs is food. But of course, the doctor is not about to share his own food or even tell Seita where he might find some. A truly tragic, must-see film, Grave Of The Fireflies features amazing lifelike animation. The facial expressions alone will start your tears flowing. The voice talents are incredible, especially 5-year-old Ayano Shiraishi as Setsuko. This story of the love between a young brother and sister, the only thing that nourishes them during a time of suffering and starvation, will melt even the coldest of hearts. Grave Of The Fireflies was released on DVD few years ago, but this new collector's edition is the one to buy. It features a beautiful, digitally restored anamorphic widescreen picture that blows the old DVD's muddy transfer out of the water. The 2-disc set also includes great extras like interviews with filmmaker Isao Takahata, novelist Akiyuki Nosaka, and film critic Roger Ebert, complete storyboards, the script, a promo, trailers, and much more. Parents should note that both the Japanese and English dialogue soundtracks are included. This is a movie that you'll want to share with your children, and if they don't like to read subtitles, you can switch to the English dubbed soundtrack, which is well done and true to the original Japanese version. Grave Of The Fireflies is a movie you won't soon forget. It belongs in every film lover's library, and this wonderful 2-disc DVD collector's edition belongs on everyone's DVD shelf. So buy it and share it with someone you love!
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