Film Reviews by SP

I am not a great fan of animated films, but this could be prejudice on my part as I have not seen that many! This thought was prompted by my first look at a Studio Ghibli product - The Wind Rises. I was totally captivated by the stunning visuals, inventive storylines and brilliant sound effects (especially in the dream sequences). I would not have believed that an animated film could be so exhilarating, moving and thought-provoking.

I especially liked the detailed links with the history of aviation and the development of pre-war Japan, although I understand that the designer of the Zero fighter - Jiro Horikoshi - had a somewhat different life story. The Zero is an iconic aircraft in Japan but, unlike the Spitfire, evokes the mixed emotions associated with defeat. As the designer laments towards the end of this film, "they never came back" (or words to that effect!).

A film has to be really good for me to give it 5 stars but this makes it easily.

I find movies starring children a bit hit-and-miss - some are great and some - well - not so great! But this film is definitely in the former category for I absolutely loved it.

The Shinkansen that lies at the heart of the plot is only glimpsed for a few nanoseconds for two obvious reasons: first, the iconic train travels very rapidly;, and second, the aspirations of the children are given a central place. It is difficult to be sure with a foreign language movie, but the outstanding child actors seemed really 'natural'; at times it felt like a fly-on-the-wall documentary with the camera just lurking on the sidelines.

I found the movie by turns charming, funny, poignant and moving. I especially liked the scenes of contemporary Japanese life both in cities and the countryside; the buildings, food, the education system and transport infrastructure.

I am sure this is very much a 'Marmite movie' that divides opinion. The plot is very, slow, meandering, whimsical and at times a bit contrived. But it is a film to just sit back and let the many themes wash over you as they slowly unravel and intertwine. At times it looks a bit random but there is a lot going on and I am sure the Director knew just what he wanted.

I was very absorbed by this movie, although I think it is best suited to those with some interest in Japanese military history. One should always be suspicious of the historical accuracy of movies (hence the recent controversy over the Churchill movies and Viceroy House) and it needs to be seen in the light of attempts by the Japanese to come to terms with their participation in the SWW. However, from what little I know of Admiral Yamamoto it seems to present a plausible account of Japan's reluctant, prescient, warrior.

Unlike Tora Tora Tora! there is relatively little direct action, which is a good thing because the CGI is not entirely successful (the warships and aircraft look fine but the explosions look artificial), and in any case the political and military intrigues, social context and domestic background are much more interesting. It does present a rather flattering and one-sided view of Yamamoto - he always seems to be right in a decent and humane way. However, it is impossible to discern from such a film just how good his naval tactics were and these things are highly complex and still controversial. We get a few insights into his family life but I understand from Wikipedia he was a big patron of geisha (there is no reference to this in the film).

There are some stirring moments of self sacrifice for a Japanese domestic audience but the obvious and powerful message is what a terrible mistake the whole bloody affair was. I found the inevitable end very tense and moving. SPOILER ALERT- if you know nothing about the Admiral! - ironically he met his fate in one of the long range but lightly armoured aircraft that he championed so strongly.

This was an engrossing film that has stuck in my mind and I will probably watch again soon.