Reviews

I went in to this movie not expecting it to be groundbreaking or even really good. I had fun watching it but obviously there are issues. At one point in the movie the audience is meant to be tracking four different subplots. It's very messy and overall is kind of a rehash on previous entries to the franchise. It's full of over the top action, strange convinces, and some sketchy acting.

However, I got exactly what I paid for. A silly action movie with dinosaurs in it. It was fine.

Like all Miyazaki films, My Neighbor Totoro has incredible background painting and animation but this art wraps around a story that is unfulfilling and builds to nothing. The films central conflict is hollow and doesn't fully present itself until the last third of the film making the first hour of setup drag as you are left unsure why you should be caring about the children central to the story, other than the fact that they are kids.

Ultimately this is a delightful film with a couple of moments and many frames that could be art pieces by themselves, but as a complete package it leaves you unfulfilled and wishing for more. As a slice of life kids movie it serves as a cute story but it is not great. Worth a watch but probably not worth coming back to with any regularity.

This film constantly showcases incredibly strong framing with a good balance of tension and release. Pacing is slow but intentional. Acting is fairly good especially considering half the actors are children. This film has a lot of positive things going on.

The score is really what elevates this film. The film uses a very limited score but intersplices muted dialogue and sound from the environment (truck door closing, gun cocking, etc) to really stress moments of tension. It is an incredibly useful tool that I have rarely seen used so expertly.

The weakest part of this whole movie is the plot, which is a shame. The writing of the plot create a disjointed mess of disparaging events. Characters act inconsistent and the climax occurs as an almost random act of someone barely integral to the plot. Sequences happen that are never touched on again. Very disappointing for a film with such a powerful start.

If you are a fan of film this movie has a lot going for it. Great dialogue, a unique score, and beautiful framing. Robert Machoian has shown that he has potential as a director, but I have some doubts about his future as a writer. The tools used here on another screenplay could have been a real treat. Instead we are left with a haunting film that setups much but fulfills very little. Overall I enjoyed my time with this film, but I'm a fan who can forgive a lackluster plot.