I watched the cartoon “The Boy and the Birds” by Hayao Miyazaki. This anime is worth going to the cinema for

The long-awaited new film by Hayao Miyazaki, “The Boy and the Birds,” was shown in Russian cinemas.

An animator known for his equally insignificant and elaborate cartoons in the style of anime. Popular ones include, for example, Howl’s Moving Castle and Spirited Away. The first was the New Product that Miyazaki announced over the past 10 years.

We have already looked at the picture and are in a hurry to share our impressions. Is the director still a genius in 2023 or has he slipped? Let’s figure it out.

New horizons for the brilliant animator

What is the cartoon about?: Japan, 1944. At the height of the war, the little boy Mahito became a mother. Very little time passes, and his father introduces him to his new wife named Natsuke, she is about to give birth to a child. The family moves to a new house in a forested area on the outskirts of the city.

It turns out that very close there is a mysterious tower, the conditions of which are explained differently by everyone. However, everyone has the same opinion – you can’t go there. And only the nameless gray heron grins and teases Mahito, assuring him that his mother is alive and waiting in the tower, you just need to go.

Miyazaki would not be himself if he had not made a movie in his signature signature style. Here he seems to have used all his best work over the years.

The film contains many philosophical questions, to which the author does not give an explicit answer in order to bring them to the attention of the audience.

Once again, the director tells us the story of a too-small boy who had to grow up early. From the conclusion it is original – “The Wind Rises” by the same author. The Japanese does not betray himself and continues the glorious tradition of preserving biographical history.

However now we have this autobiography in front of uswhich is urgently intertwined with the specifics of the life of the animator himself.

Mahito turned out to be perhaps Miyazaki’s most daring character. And all for this reason, that the child is driven by Natsuke’s speedy return home. He is a real hero who became this way not of his own free will, but at the same time he controls himself very well. And even a series of disappointments does not become an obstacle.

It is clear how the creators of the cartoon put their soul into it. And this is not just some spatial statement. Just imagine, the studio spent a year developing one scene with an earthquake from “The Wind Rises.” Imagine how much effort is invested now. This is independence.

The new product very subtly and intelligently plays on the emotions of listeners. You literally you feel all the bitterness the path that the main character goes through, because he blames himself in his mother’s house. Mahito’s domestic partner spent almost all of the screen time.

And how does all this contrast with the bright and, at times, impressive and exciting calendars, which the boy does not even pay attention to. He firmly moves towards his goal, seeing himself as a truly outside observer.

You feel the danger in your soul, boy, but not in your jewelry, which constantly changes each other. And if Miyazaki injured more supporters of the air elements, now it has been replaced by the water element. We managed to create many locations and objects closely related to it, such as pirate ships and sailing ships.

Amazing job in every detail

Before us is a truly fabulous world, full of colors and mystical animals/birds. But at the same time Miyazaki organically fits the whole phantasmagoria into reality and mixes with Western characters.

This is a multi-layered world, the plot of which does not move in one place, but fragments are stacked on top of each other.

And, importantly, the surreal scenery reflects individual facts from the director’s life. They are closely intertwined and maintain a single picture from beginning to end.

The story of Mahito’s transformation into a completely different person was skillfully achieved not only through the medium storybut also through locationswhich the boy visits. With each new stage they become more and more oppressive, but the finale dispels everything that was laid before us. Enchanting and insanely soulful.

Be sure to check it out, you won’t regret it

“The Boy and the Bird” is a true masterpiece of recent years. I would feel better about his 2023 Animated Feature Oscar opinion.

It’s difficult to say whether this picture is suitable for children. She may seem difficult for them to understand, but at the same time incredibly beautiful. In any case, she deserves some attention. Compared to the backdrop of soulless anime, this picture sounds too strong. And it is definitely worth watching for everyone.