Didn't post my review of the movie I watched yesterday because I was too lazy to update. The laziness in me just crept out thus rendering me powerless to do pretty much anything. But I'm back today to tell about my reviews of three Studio Ghibli movies of which I watched two of them today.
"Nausicaa of the Valley of the Wind" / "Kaze no Tani no Naushika"
Hmm, yes, if you liked "Mononoke Hime" then you'll probably like this one too as the story and characters are very similar to each other. Since this movie was actually made first before Mononoke I suppose the producers basically just changed the template of this movie slightly and then Mononoke was created. It seems like a ripoff but I actually like Mononoke more because Ashitaka is just so much better than Nausicaa. Except this one had giant insects instead of animals and there're more machinery stuff and action too, I think. Not the best Ghibli production but good nonetheless. Despite it being a really old anime movie the animation was surprisingly good. A 7 out of 10.
"Only Yesterday" / "Omohide Poro Poro"
This was just okay for me. I didn't like the ending suffice to say because it reminded me too much of 'Garden State' ending too. Which both sucked. However, the story was only just fairly interesting as it involved something like crushes when you were ten and going through puberty and things like that. The movie reminded me of 'Boys Be' too much though. Quite slow paced but I liked it that way. A 6.5 out of 10.
"Whisper of the Heart or If You Listen Closely" / "Mimi wo Sumaseba"
I really enjoyed this one for some reason. It was something akin to the movie stated above but more attuned to that whole 'finding your true self' vibe. Also very much reminiscent of 'Boys Be' because there was a mini love triangle thing going on in the movie. But I just love the little details in the story that really made the movie become something special instead of being just another love story cum destiny thing movie. If the same story was made by Hollywood, it'll probably turn out into another crappy teen movie love story which would truly be horrible and sick to the stomach. Only Miyazaki and the Ghibli team could turn it into something different and unique. The character developments are one of the best I've witnessed in any movie for a long time. The ending had me slightly surprised but a satisfying watch throughout the sitting. The song 'Take me Home, Country Roads' is now stuck in replay mode my head because it was played almost non-stop throughout the movie except that it was in Japanese excluding the beginning of the movie which was the original English one. I just have this to say; I love the fat lazy tabby cat! I want one now too. A 8.5 out of 10.
Not much information about the movie is revealed because I can't stand to spoil the story too much for people who might be interested in watching it. I want to discuss the movies! I've come to mid-conclusions about Ghibli/Miyazaki directed and produced movies.- They all have a protagonist short haired girl who is between the ages of 10 to 16, sometimes with elder sisters and always with a stoic father but caring mother or is a warrior princess whom everyone looks up to and doesn't want to cause some sort of trouble if possible.
- The Ghibli movies can basically be split up into two worldly different genres; one being an extremely fantasy like setting and the other being very grounded and down-to-earth which everyone can relate to easily.
- The protagonist girls all look the same in every movie.
- There's always an old lady or grandmother figure in every movie.
- Animals play an important role in all the movies.
I think that's about it for now but I could probably come up with more conclusions after watching the rest of the movies. My second semester will commence next week. It seemed like the break just wizzed by in a flash. It's ending already. Sigh. Anyone knows anyone who would want to buy second hand text books from a HELP Business student? I need to get rid of them now since I don't need them anymore. Well, maybe only the Marketing text that I have no use for anymore since I don't plan on majoring in it.
