Film Review #031 - The Boy and the Heron (2023)


The film The Boy and the Heron (2023) is the final film directed by Hayao Miyazaki, a renowned Japanese animator and film director. The film is produced by Studio Ghibli, which Miyazaki founded in 1985.

Animation and Art Style: The animation is particularly breathtaking, especially in the depiction of landscapes. The film's attention to detail in animation brings a hyperreal quality to its characters, notably the personification of talking animals like the heron with human teeth, colorful birds that act like humans. The movie also uses metaphors to express its ideas. For instance, the boy's connection with the heron represents how humans relate to nature.


Music: The soundtrack, composed of piano and violin compositions, stands out with its chord progressions and hopeful melodies, enhancing the film's emotive power. The music, especially during key scenes, evoked goosebumps which I had 3 times watching this in the big cinema screens, adding to the cinematic experience.


Character Development: The characters, including the notably creepy yet cute-sounding grandmas, are well-developed and have a strong depth. The witty dialogue between Mahito and the gray heron adds a layer of charm and humor, making the characters memorable and engaging.


Storytelling and Pace: While the story's pacing is slow, it allows the narrative to flow naturally. The film feels like a theater play, with its intricate storytelling and rich metaphors. However, I felt that some parts of the movie were disjointed and less satisfying. Hence, it led to confusion.


Overall Experience: The movie, typical of Miyazaki's style, features pleasant and highly detailed art with incredible animation. Despite feeling bloated with underlying messages, it’s a film that could be more enjoyable upon rewatching 2nd time due to its complex metaphors. The film's beauty and depth made me experience goosebumps 3 times, although I was left very confused by its narrative.


In conclusion, "The Boy and the Heron" is a visually stunning film with strong character development and a captivating soundtrack from the professional perspective. On a personal level, it is a movie that merits a second viewing to fully appreciate its layered storytelling and intricate details due to confusing plotline and scenes.

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