post #18 bychozo on 10.11.2013 14:57 (vote: 5.00)
I just returned from the theater, and since I usually don’t watch stuff right after the release I might all well write a comment. Unfortunately, all I can say is: Don’t get your hopes up too much on this one. I probably made a mistake and expected something thought-provoking from the creators, despite the latest trailer which was already hinting some fluffy adventure story.
My impression summed up in one word: Flat. The story, the characters, and the world are totally one-dimension, and stay that way since the movie doesn’t accomplish all that much during its run. They even managed to include some annoying elements, such as an over-the-top Orwellian dystopia cliché and a completely insane main-villain (really, what’s wrong with this guy). If you are in for some pretty (not Shinkai-pretty by far, though) SciFi-ish fantasy adventure, then you may watch it. You might even like it much more than I did. But do not try to think about motives, implications, reasons… or pure emptiness starts pouring out of all seams. Don't get me wrong. It was a nice flick with funny moments at times and somewhat entertaining. But I guess it will never live up to all the hype created so far. I am also not sure if the movie will do that great at the box office in Japan. Judging from the screening today (less than ten percent occupied) probably not...
By the way… a boy and a girl hugging upside-down all the time is a bit weird after all.