Rating: 
Summary: "Why Do Fireflies Have To Die So Soon?"
Review: *
If the Japanese musical style of "Enka" were an anime feature film, this would definitely be it! A school boy orphaned as a result of war time air raids on his country battles against all the odds in order to care for and comfort his sick and dying little sister. Both the story and the artwork are hauntingly beautiful, lovingly tender and inspiring, but are also emotionally moving and heartbreaking. Perhaps the saddest and most disturbingly realistic aspect of this film is the fact that there are no real "Bad Guys" we can conveniently point an accusing finger at: Everyone, to some greater or lesser degree, is culpable just as much as they are simultaneously victims of their unfortunate circumstances, and nearly everyone is guilty of making selfish and irrational decisions in the heat of emotions which tend to fare badly for themselves and/or others around them and/or those in their charge. This entire movie (based in part on a true life story) is totally transfixing, making the viewer see all of that is sweet and wonderful even as it drags the viewer along the path from one sad tragedy to another. My only complaint (apart from the DVD not having a menu option for Japanese Language 'Ending Credits') is that I personally felt that at least some time should have been spent following Seita's character after the death of his sister Setsuko, to give us a little insight as to some of the situations he had to face and endure which led up to his eventual and unfortunate end -- (I'd be interested in knowing if I may be alone in this opinion). Anyway, "Hotaru no Haka" is indeed a very rare and precious gem among anime features -- and one where a healthy supply of facial tissue is absolutely manditory and should be kept very close at hand whenever planning on watching this movie. * * *
Rating:
Summary: A touching, depressing story of love and endurance.
Review: For those who insist that cartoons of all forms, and particularly anime, are for children, I present you with Grave of the Fireflies. This amazingly well-done anime has some of the most touching, most depressing scenes I've ever seen on a screen, regardless of format. This film is set in Japan near the end of World War 2. Seita and Setsuko live in Kobe with their mother, whom they adore. When the air raid sirens sound, Seita and Setsuko run ahead to the bomb shelter, leaving their mother (who has a heart condition and cannot run) to follow. Seita is obviously not happy with this situation, but the early teen youth cannot carry both his toddler sister and his mother, so he agrees, sure his mother will join them at the shelter. From here begins the long, sad tale of the losses that Seita and Setsuko suffer through together. This is very much the story of a young man forced into the role of provider, protector, and nurturer years ahead of time, and of his little sister who adores him. Seita struggles to provide for himself and for Setsuko, and refuses to surrender himself to despair, regardless of the obstacles he is presented. I feel that this movie is all the more heart-wrenching for the way that the hurt and the pain and the fear are interspersed with the moments of joy and lightheartedness. For much of the movie, it is almost possible to believe that Seita and Setsuko will come out of this together. Of course, since the movie opens with Seita dying, alone, you know that your hope is misplaced, but you want them to survive. The love they share, and the joy they take from one another make you root for them. The characters in Grave of the Fireflies are remarkably well acted. Seita, standing strong, doing whatever is necessary to take care of his little sister. Setsuko is the perfect toddler. Happy one moment, crying the next, unsure of why anything is happening, but sure that Seita can fix everything. The childrens' aunt, a cold, sarcastic, bitter woman, taking every opportunity to ensure the children, especially Seita, is aware of how much they impose upon her and her patriotic family. In addition to the quality of the story and the caliber of the actors, the beauty of the artwork is just incredible. The facial expressions, the landscapes, the atmosphere. It's all wonderful, drawing you into the story. I found myself checking to see if the prone form of Setsuko was breathing as she lie ill, then realizing that wait, this is animation. This provocative, compelling tragedy is based upon a true story. The original author, Nosaka Akiyuki, wrote a novel based upon his real-life experiences at the end of the war in Japan. This story was then turned into a manga (Japanese comic book), and the story became very popular and well-known. Trivia buffs might be interested in knowing exactly how this movie made it to the screen. A director by the name of Hayao Miyazaki was working on a project named "My Neighbor Totoro" but the production company was worried that nobody would be interested in the tale of two little kids and a monster living in rural Japan. Therefore, they decided to make a movie they felt would draw viewers based upon the familiarity of the tale and for the educational value of the story, and make it a double-feature with "My Neighbor Totoro", billing and packaging the two movies together. Those who are familiar with both movies find the concept of packaging or viewing the cheery, light-hearted romp that is Totoro with such somber, depressing fare as "Grave of the Fireflies" mind-boggling, but the tactic seemed to work, though Totoro has become far more popular and well-known of the two movies. I cannot recommend this movie enough. It is a poignant story of the love shared by a pair of siblings in the worst possible conditions. And you'll never look at fruit drops the same way again.
Rating:
Summary: Excellent
Review: This is one of the most depressin [best] films I have ever seen. It is a story of love, honor, and death in a time of crisis for Japan. Watch it.
Rating:
Summary: Where words cease to have value and emotions take over...
Review: I cried. I cried like I have never cried before watching a movie. This one movie is more powerful than all the propaganda that could ever reach the inner ear. Anime or not, this film goes far and beyond what any movie, live or animated, has done since possibly "Schindler's List". The loss of a family line, the loss of loved ones, and the loss of what you know as your life all come together in this movie so naturally and purely that you feel the storyteller is throwing you into his life and forcing you to experience the hardships and the pain that he had gone through. Your feelings about wartime, suffering, and that which you hold most dear to yourself will be challenged by this film, and it will change your views on these subjects forever.
Rating:
Summary: A1
Review: This movie's a real masterpiece; if you have to have something japanese in your house, it must be that !
The only problem is you've gotta get a full box of tissues, because there's no way avoiding a river of tears when watching the story of Setsuko and her big brother, who are trying to do their best to survive in the middle of a war they should have nothing to do with. A masterpiece.
Rating:
Summary: I was so into it that I COULDN'T cry
Review: Even though I knew it was sad. It really illustrates the horror and futility of war. It was so believable as well. The hand-drawn art was realistic and detailed. Although this is about the second casualty of war - children - it also is about the first casualty - truth. I will focus on the look at the first casualty as most of the other reviews have focused on the children. False pride is rampant in Japan during the war, and this is shown simply, but to great effect in this film. Seita is incredulous when he finds out Japan has lost the war, but what makes it even more terrible is that his father was a navy officer, and died when the fleet was sunk. Pride also causes Seita to leave his Aunt and live in a bomb shelter. Pride can kill. This film shows that pride does come before a fall, and Seita feels guilt for his sister's slow death from malnutrition. Finally, this film shows that there are no winners in war, although they only show the casualties on one side of the conflict. But even if the Japanese did win, would it have been worth it? Many soldiers would never have returned, and some that survived may have very little to go home to.
Rating:
Summary: POWERFUL - this film made my heart hurt.
Review: The needless suffering endured by Seita, Setsuko and all of the people in the story depicts the suffering of all victims in all wars regardless of nationally, religion, or race. This film is a must watch for all weather they are amine fans or not. The power of this film drives home the point that all war needs to stop and that we all should be friends no matter what country we are from.
Rating:
Summary: Powerful and hard to watch. One of my favorite movies ever.
Review: There is a scene where Setsuko and Seita have captured a bunch of firefles and let them loose in a dark room. They watch like the children they are (Sieta ~8, Setsuko ~6, as I'm told), having fun as the fireflies dance on Setsuko's hair. Of course, at this time, they are living in a cave, without their parents, in WWII Japan. This movie captures the innocence of childhood flung into the hell of war. I remember my childhood. The biggest problem was whether or not Santa Claus got my gift list. That's how childhood should be, and that's why it's so hard to watch this film. Yet, this film is not melodramatic. You don't feel the director trying to pry open your tear ducts. The emotions are honest, and innocent, which makes it so hard to watch. As a child, you make best with what you have. To see these kids smiling and laughing when you *know* life is not going to get better for them is difficult. But it's a beautiful movie to watch. Yes, it's animated and yes it's foreign, but please don't let that bother you. If you're into film, you will most likely love this movie, then possibly never watch it again. That's a compliment to the emotional power of Grave of the Fireflies. -Mark
Rating:
Summary: Pure Gold
Review: I saw this movie in a blockbuster and passed it by. But I couldn't stop thinking about it. This movie spoke to me, I went back and I rented it. I love the art style, no big saucer eyes and such. The symbolisam, plot and characters are breath taking. I don't care if you don't like anime, give this a chance. Not for the light hearted though. And I do believe this is classified wrong.
Rating:
Summary: Awesome anime drama
Review: This movie will touch your heart, convict your soul, and may make you look at life in a different way. It is a sad movie about the tragedies of war and how it affects innocent people. The animation is crisp and well drawn. The characters are not shallow and dry like in many animations, but seem to have personalities that shine forth through the screen. This movie will make you thankful for the times of peace we take for granted.
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