Bradley R
In a world where beauty and melancholy intertwine, I found myself captivated by the enchanting visuals of "The Tale of the Princess Kaguya." The animation, distinct from typical Studio Ghibli fare, drew me in with its watercolor-like artistry, creating a dreamlike atmosphere that felt both nostalgic and fresh. As the story unfolded, I was struck by the poignant journey of the princess, whose mysterious origins and bittersweet fate lingered long after the credits rolled. The film’s unique narrative structure, devoid of conventional storytelling, offered a refreshing perspective that resonated deeply with me. Watching it on a streaming platform, I was reminded of the power of animation to convey profound emotions, making this film a true masterpiece that I wholeheartedly recommend.
Rated 5/5 Stars •
Rated 5 out of 5 stars
12/03/24
Full Review
Jay W
"Tale of Princess Kaguya is a 2013 Studio Ghibli film. Despite being from Ghibli it has a very unique art style compared to their other anime classics. It still hits all the usual Ghibili trademarks, the animation is still beautiful, the Joe Hisaishi music is lovely, and the voice acting is top-notch.
The story is based on an old Japanese fairy-tale. A bamboo cutter finds a tiny girl in the woods one day as he is cutting bamboo. He and his wife then raise this girl that they see as a gift from the heavens. The gril grows up at a magically accelerated rate, and the adoptive parents try to understand how they should raise their newly found daughter.
The story takes a few different twists and turns, none of which I'll spoil here. But as soon as I thought I was getting an idea of where the story was going, and what direction it was taking, the plot would take an unexpected turn. I liked that about this movie. It was not clear from where the movie began exactly how the movie ends. Likewise, there are various themes and lessons that could be extracted from this tale. The different choices that the story makes may confuse or even frustrate some viewers. For me, I like the fact that it takes such bold swings with the story.
But the film is not without its shortcomings, here are some things I didn't care for in the story. The relation between the daughter and parents, particularly the father, is that typical kids' movie, parents don't listen or understand trope. For as excited as the parents were to raise this heaven child, they don't end up spending all that much time with her. Usually they pawn her off on villagers or servants to do the raising for them. Second would be Kaguya herself. There are many parts throughout the story where her motivation will drastically shift. Even one point where the narrator simply says that she became like a "completely different person". It can become difficult to understand a character's motivation when they are so frequently changing.
The expert presentation and unique story with many unexpected story points is enough for me to recommend this movie. It may be a little sketchy in places, but it comes together in the end.
Rated 3.5/5 Stars •
Rated 3.5 out of 5 stars
12/01/24
Full Review
Psyqx S
Heartwarming story with a different art style from other Ghibli movies with a bit of a downer ending
Rated 5/5 Stars •
Rated 5 out of 5 stars
11/28/24
Full Review
Papy D
"The Tale of the Princess Kaguya": A Symphonic Poem of Humanity and Nature Like a Dream
Directed by Isao Takahata, this animated film is just like a brilliant pearl. With its unique artistic style and profound connotations, it shines with a unique light in the starry sky of animated films, bringing the audience a soul-stirring viewing experience and triggering endless thoughts on humanity, nature, and the meaning of life.
The film is based on the ancient Japanese folk tale "The Tale of the Bamboo Cutter", but Isao Takahata gave it a brand-new life and interpretation. The story revolves around Princess Kaguya, who was born from bamboo. She spent a period of innocent and intimate time with her adoptive parents in the mountain forest. That mountain forest was like a paradise, with morning mists lingering among the green bamboo groves, clear brooks flowing gently among the stones, birds singing merrily, and small animals scurrying about freely. Princess Kaguya grew up in such an environment, and her soul was like a spirit of nature, pure and lively. She played with all things in nature and felt the changes of the four seasons. The spring flowers, autumn moon, summer breeze, and winter snow were all integrated into her life.
However, her peaceful life was disrupted, and Princess Kaguya was taken to the bustling imperial court in Kyoto. Court life was a world apart from the simplicity of the mountain forest. It was full of red tape, hypocrisy, and intrigue. Princess Kaguya was forced to wear gorgeous yet restrictive clothing and participate in various social engagements and ceremonies. Although she possessed peerless beauty and was adored by everyone, she was extremely lonely and 痛苦 in her heart. She missed the freedom in the mountain forest and the warmth of her relatives. In this glamorous court, she was like a bird trapped in a golden cage, losing her former joy and laughter. Her longing for nature and her desire for freedom grew even stronger in the 压抑 environment of the court. This contrast deeply revealed the struggles and changes of humanity in different environments.
In terms of visual presentation, "The Tale of the Princess Kaguya" can be regarded as a visual feast. Its painting style is unique, with simple and smooth lines yet full of liveliness. The colors of the pictures are elegant and fresh, just like beautiful ink paintings. Every scene seems to unfold slowly from ancient scrolls. Whether it's the tranquility of the mountain forest, the luxury of the imperial court, or the mystery of the Moon Palace, they are all depicted in meticulous detail. When depicting natural scenery, the film shows the grandeur and tranquility of nature, making the audience feel as if they were on the scene, able to feel the gentle breeze on their faces and the fragrance of flowers in their noses. When presenting court scenes, it also shows the delicacy and majesty of the buildings and the gorgeousness and complexity of the characters' clothing through delicate brushstrokes. This unique visual style not only creates a strong artistic atmosphere for the film but also well sets off the theme and emotions of the story.
In terms of thematic depth, the film contains rich and diverse themes. First of all, it explores nature and humanity. Princess Kaguya's growth in the mountain forest reflects the harmonious coexistence of humanity and nature. Her innocence, kindness, and love for all things stem from the nourishment of nature. In the imperial court, however, humanity is eroded by vanity, power, and desire, and her pain also reflects the distortion of humanity after being separated from nature. The film warns people not to lose themselves in the pursuit of material things and social status, and to cherish the connection with nature and keep their hearts pure. Secondly, the film also touches on the impermanence and helplessness of life. Although Princess Kaguya has an extraordinary background and a short yet brilliant earthly experience, she ultimately cannot escape the arrangement of fate and returns to the Moon Palace. Her story makes the audience deeply feel the brevity and preciousness of life and the insignificance and powerlessness of humans in the face of fate.
In terms of character creation, Princess Kaguya is undoubtedly the core and soul of the film. Her image is three-dimensional and full. She gradually grows from a carefree mountain forest girl into a woman who has endured hardships in the imperial court and has a profound understanding of life and humanity. The changes in her inner world when facing different situations are delicate and real, and the audience can truly feel her happiness, sadness, struggles, and relief. The images of her adoptive parents are also very vivid. Their love for Princess Kaguya is simple and deep. Despite their low social status, they give Princess Kaguya the most sincere care and the warmth of a family. The characters in the imperial court represent the complex aspects of humanity, such as hypocritical and flattering nobles, greedy and selfish ministers, etc. They form a sharp contrast with Princess Kaguya, further highlighting the theme of the film.
All in all, "The Tale of the Princess Kaguya" is not just an animated film, but also a work rich in philosophy and artistic value. With its beautiful pictures, moving stories, and profound themes, it leads the audience into a world full of fantasy and poetry, enabling people to have a deeper understanding and thinking about humanity, nature, and life while enjoying it. It has left a glorious mark in the long history of animated films, becoming an immortal classic that constantly touches the depths of the hearts of generations of audiences and triggers people's eternal pursuit of beauty and innocence.I usually use these two sites for more free movies and short dramas.If you have a better website, please recommend it to me. Thank you
https://omnishort.com/？utm_source=rottentomatoes
https://nightgod.tv/？utm_source=rottentomatoes
Rated 4/5 Stars •
Rated 4 out of 5 stars
11/28/24
Full Review
Garrett B
Despite good animation, pacing was slow and the story was too confusing
Rated 1/5 Stars •
Rated 1 out of 5 stars
11/27/24
Full Review
Graham O
I think “masterclass,” and “masterpiece,” are terms often overused on social media platforms, but this is an exception. This movie is truly a masterpiece, from the music to the animation, I just simply couldn’t find anything wrong with it.
Rated 5/5 Stars •
Rated 5 out of 5 stars
11/26/24
Full Review
Read all reviews
>
