The best way to view Miyazaki is to go in expecting something akin to Alice in Wonderland. You get surreal stories with no real villains, lots of introspection, and the heroes are often their own worst enemy. More often than not, the characters are overcoming their own faults, and not some "big bad". Whispers of the Heart would be a big example here. Many of the films are art movies, even by Japanese standards, and even the western stories that are adapted follow this. As a mom I absolutely adore Ponyo, despite there not being a real plot or enemy....Just rural people trying to navigate what they believe is a natural disaster, all handling it and growing in their own way.
Alan Ng not getting Miyazaki while Chris Gore does is a hilarious contrast. Considering what a Disney guy Alan is, him not getting Miyazaki, who was admired by the pre-Iger Disney old guard, is a bit ironic.
I'm really looking forward to this. For me, Miyazaki's films touch the human soul. FYI Arrietty was based a British children's book (Mary Norton's 'The Borrowers'). Studio Ghibli have adapted two other British novels - 'Howl's Moving Castle' and 'When Marnie Was There'.
Miyazaki films do not typically have a 3 act structure or a coherent plot, it doesn’t work for most people. His filmography is a really mixed bag. When you get a good one, the experience is unlike any other, it will stick with you. Laputa, Nausicaa, and Mononoke are some of his finest work, and some of the finest cinematic work in general. Miyazaki’s finest cannot be overrated.
There's no problem admiting a movie and/or animation has been targeted to a specific audience, but not only being respectfull as also willing to see the qualities on a work by an author or within a genre you are not particularly fond of is what makes you a good critic.
Not always knowing what the hell is going on is part of the Miyazaki experience, what sets it apart is that the ride is a beautiful journey both thematically and visually.
It's due to the way he writes his stories. As far as I'm aware (based on interviews) the movies are storyboarded straight ahead without a solid script, so it's more about connecting a bunch of ideas around a theme moreso than trying to make a cohesive narrative. This is why his movies sort of start and stop in random places and plotlines will just be entirely dropped part way through the film without any real explanation as to why, because the actual script is tied to the storyboards and not the other way around.
@@bloopboop9320 Oh, the "breathing moments"... Those intermessions Myiazaki gives you time to just enjoy the visuals, like Chihiro travelling by train, Kiki flying throught the night or Sophie sitting by the lake after a whole day of cleaning and washing.
@@karinefonte516 I don't have issue with "breathing moments" I take issue with people claiming Miyazaki films are intentionally designed and written, when they are closer to a jumbled pile of ideas and concepts that are tonally connected. I still like segments from all of his films, but I can't name a single film of his where the entirety of the film works as a cohesive whole. Even Spirited Away has several moments that add nothing to the movie and pop-up out of nowhere, such as Haku learning his "identity".
Miyazaki arguably makes movies for a smaller audience in a different creative and cultural ecosystem (Japan). It just happens that the larger audience here have taken to it, because our studio method for the past few decades of trying to please too many internationally has washed down the product has left the West ready to take anything not corporate boilerplate. The other key difference being that Miyazaki's attempt to please that smaller audience - while balancing the old trope / experimentation in story - is organic. Or seems to be. He's said in the past, Ghibli was built on putting all or nothing on the next film, taking those chances and going for it - much like how Walt was early on. The stories, films, comics he's made, they're not because of some weird financial astroturfing by Blackrock ESG to force an appeal to a few while alienating a majority.
@@solarydays Like I said, it _seems_ like it was an organic set of creative choices. The seeming difference being that Ghibli's supervising and executive producers apparently allowed him to move things as he sees fit. Maybe it's a cultural thing - Ghibli bigwigs seem to act like it's not their place to tell the master craftsman how to go about doing his job. Or they at least approach it much more carefully than our own shadowy institutional investment groups or executive producers who - apparently like a troika - just demand a hire-at-will director or writer to put an x-mark in it over a Zoom call. Actually, your comment sort of confirms some of my points. Up to Mononoke as you said, _"which was the most expensive anime feature movie of its time,"_ and then they had to go fishing around for international market support to keep the ball rolling at that level and sustain it. That sounds like quite a bit of creative and financial leverage and confidence was (and is) given to Miyazaki, about a decade and a half's worth of output up to that point.
No one had the guts to tell Miyazaki that the film was an incoherent mess that made no sense at all to anyone but him. It felt like an emperor has no clothes kind of situation where everyone pretends that this film was amazing.
He is. I think he does beautiful work, but most of his movies are disjointed and disconnected. The way the movies are written is via the storyboarding process instead of with a script first, so he's basically making the film up as he goes along. For instance, in The Wind Rises the movie was already beginning animation production before the movie's ending had been figured out. I think Miyazaki has a very strong emotional intuition and his process for making movies makes deeply atmospheric and moody scenes, but they also make films that are only vaguely coherent in the narrative department.
Mononoke doesnt deal in binaries like humans = evil, nature = heroes like Avatar. Nature is brutal, unforgiving in its evolution despite humans pillaging it for its gifts. Humans are doing whatever they do, for self protection from other humans.
Now I understand how Allan is a "Disney Shill", no offense. The fact that he cannot see how people can enjoy Miyasaki, but enjoys Disney musicals... maybe those are exclusive positions?
Laputa: Castle in the Sky and Lupin the 3rd: The Castle of Cagliostro are my top 2 Miyazaki films. Great action/adventure, stories, characters, music and quality animation prioritized above all else. If there’s one thing I don’t always like about some of his later movies, it’s the unconventional structures and lack of payoffs as far as the storytelling. Also Laputa and Lupin are better dubbed imo
I'm with Alan. I love Ghibli, I most certainly don't love all Ghibli. Their titles are a 50/50 shot. Beautiful, as always, but not always sensical and *most definitely not linear all the time*.
Miyazaki films in general, have many hidden themes. They arent great to watch mindlessly but the "what is going on" aspect.. is always answered if you look close enough.
Japanese storytelling does not work in the same way as western storytelling. Western narration is based on conflict and resolution. Japanese narration is based on contrast, juxtaposition, and harmonization. If you watch a Mayazaki movie expecting the three-act structure, you will be dissapointed. You need to be open to a different kind of narrative experience.
Personally i think the lack of a traditional "ending" and that sense of frustration (Princess Mononoke) or forlorn (Porco Rosso, my #1) that makes his films so memorable. Even his sons film Earwig made me want more.
The narrative structure of western storytelling is based on Roman theater and literature structure, chiefly, Homer's Odyssey. Eastern storytelling is based on eastern theater structure literature, chiefly, Journey to the West.
Doesn't contradict the fact that one is definitely better than the other. It makes no sense to stick to inferior form of storytelling, or expect others to tolerate or praise it
Will give it a watch~ (Joe Hisaishi, show me what you've got!) Used to adore Ghibli Studio but the more I rewatch their works the less I enjoy them? There's a particular lack of refinement that becomes increasingly obvious? Howl's Moving Castle in particular -- broke my heart once the realization set it. Porco Rosso, Kiki's Delivery Service, Ponyo have withstood repeated viewings. The others I've not cared to see more than twice. (Spirited Away & Nausicaa I'm chewing on still) SG's story telling style, while differing from the theatrical releases of the big USA animation houses, is not particularly revolutionary or 'eastern' if you've watched European children's story animated films across the decades, read short stories as a kid, and seen enough animated straight to tv films. Rather pulp-esque. Would argue that it's the music & establishing scenic shots the are SG's bread & butter.
Yeah, and he's a lot like George Lucas in a lot of ways. Great visual storyteller and a master at story structure, but his dialogue writing is pretty mediocre. What we get in the west is filtered through a translator, even the subtitles are inevitably filtered. At least the translators working on Ghibli films respect the material to not insert their personal beliefs into the translation, which is an issue for a lot of projects.
I have enjoyed a number of Miyazaki's films. Princess Mononoke is one of my all time favorite films. I do have to say, that I was not big on Spirited Away and having watched it again recently, I still feel the same way. Gorgeous film, the animation is brilliant, you can't look away because every frame is mind-blowingly beautiful. The story though was lost on me as I felt there was so much going on that it made it hard to focus on any particular plot. So many sets, so many characters, so much happening that my feeble mind needed a break. I understand the flow, and everything that happens leads into the next, but I prefer a more focused story (a western style of story telling I suppose). I still like the film. I would happily watch it again, but I will always prefer Mononoke, Castle in the Sky, and Nausicaa above it.
The Wind Rises is my favorite movie. You guys might appreciate Porco Rosso if you want a more straightforward Ghibli narrative. Whisper of the Heart is great too.
I am one of those people who don’t worship at the altar of Miyazaki. I vaguely his movies and nothing stood out to me as enjoyable while watching. I liked the trailer for this movie so I hope it’s a movie he’s made that I can actually enjoy and or rewatch. I’ll give it a chance.
Overrated?! Comparing it to a paint splatter?! And you were the one going on and on about the artistry of Disney (classics) in the recent Wish videos Alan. I can't think of words strong enough to express my disbelief and rebuke you here. You need to stop watching Disney and spend more time studying and appreciating Miyazaki. I don't know how you can watch Spirited Away and not be moved by its deep beauty. Glad to hear your review on this one Chris, I can't wait to see it!
Asian storytelling generally follows a four act structure (referred to as Kishōtenketsu), where conflict resolution is not necessary to end a story. It can definitely be unsatisfying for those who desire that sense of payoff we get in Western media. Still enjoy Alan's commentary though.
Tbh, its just the boy didn't seem to experience enough through the film to actually see him change. It focused entirely on his grief in the our world then he jumped into the spirit world and it was just... random bullshit for the most part? It didn't seem to give enough for us to understand how everything was affecting him. It felt more like the movie was going from one screen to the next with no real resoning. Beautiful animation, strong voice acting but the movie just felt like a shallow pond that wanted to make itself look like an ocean. Its not even about the pay off, the boy may aswell been a car to give us a tour of the spirit world instead of an actual character. We barely even get actual info of the world even thou its the main focus of basically two thirds of the movie. I just don't feel it did much with the world they created nor the characters or the themes present in the film. And its not like I wanted a different ending or anything. One of my favorite films is kagura and that one had a very different type of ending than what is normaly seen. This... just doesn't feel like it have any substance
Loved my time with the movie. Many things to think over after watching. Love the visuals and characters. Has a great themes. I take the main point is live, create, and treasure the time you have. I watched it with subs and after the credits. I saw the cast for English and want to rewatch again with dubs. Ghibli and Miyazaki are truly something spacial and try to get anyone to watch one of there films. They are amazing. Spirited Away my favorite but I love so many others. Where do I rank this one? Not sure. I think its pretty high. I already want to rewatch it again which is a great sign.
Every Studio Ghibli film is made for everyone from infants to grown-ass adults ☝🏻 There is a reason why their films always come out in the middle summer where most school kids are on their summer vacation here in Japan.
I just watched this movie last night on Friday and I honestly think this is a perplexing movie. I think it’s a good movie this requires a little time to digest as there is much symbolism and metaphors going on. After discussing with my brother and friend there is a lot going on that you’ll miss if you are aren’t observant. I’ll probably watch again on home video or something with a group of friends so we can slowly dissect the movie at our own pace.
I like a bunch of Miyazaki’s films… I did not like The Boy and the Heron. I really liked the trailer for this movie but it felt very different from the film.
If you want a more Hollywood structured Miyazaki film, try Castle in the Sky/ Laputa. Great adventure and sense of wonder with some very Spielbergian set pieces. I love Miyazaki's imagery, but most of his films are not my taste. Nausicaa, Laputa, and Future Boy Conan are about the only ones I ever rewatch.
American movies are like driving in a car from point A to B. Miyazaki movies are like wandering in a dream. I've never met someone that hated Spirited Away. But I guess for those who do, they probably won't like this movie, either.
I’m mixed on this film because it is good but I have a lot of issues with how the story is presented. So much happens in the last hour after the first hour was spent on the real world for longer than it needed to be. I was interested in seeing the stuff in the fantasy world and what was happening, but it gets skimmed over too much to really care. Even the big reveal feels not as impactful because it doesn’t get much build up or development. It’s a film that has heart and passion, but also has too much happening as well.
I feel the opposite. The best part of the film was in the real world while the spirit world completely fell face first into the ground. It was mostly random stuff with no real resoning behind it with the character not really appearing to change much through the film. It may aswell ended in the real world if they weren't going to do much with a world they clearly put a lot of effort to make. Its like, they dropped the ball on the mc after the first part and the spirit world didn't serve any real special function outside wasting your time with pretty and weird stuff. Hell, I know weird is part of his trademark but in here I rarely felt there was a reason for much of the spirit world
The problem with any movie, not just Miyazaki is that people overhype movies for others. For the longest time, my friends were telling me to watch Monty Python and the Quest for the Holy Grail because it was the funniest thing since sliced bread. I watched it and found it to be alright. Had they just recommended it like a normal movie, I might have enjoyed it more. They set the expectations too high, and it fails to meet them.
Can't get enough of Hayao Miyazaki's films. The storylines are admittedly somewhat obtuse at times, but the experience is fantastic nonetheless. I actually prefer the dubbed versions by Disney as I don't want my attention drawn below to the subtitles. Miyazaki as a person is another story...look up the word "curmudgeon" in the dictionary and you'll find his picture there!
I also sometimes wonder about him, given the names he gives to movies. Kiki's Delivery Service and Laputa, for instance. Kiki is derogatory for breasts in Filipino, I believe, and La Puta is derogatory for another female body part in Spanish.
Miyazaki is arguably the greatest animation director of all time. A PLAGUE UPON ALAN'S HOUSE FOR THIS BLASPHEMY! Lol nah I get it. He's not for everyone. I'm not a fan of some of his earlier work. And Ponyo wasn't really my thing. Personally his best films in my opinion are Princess Mononoke, Spirited Away, Howls Moving Castle, and The Wind Rises. The Boy and the Heron was great. But I think it suffered from some story problems that made the viewer feeling confused because it abandons the central plot of finding his mom and then adds a random chosen one plot line towards the end that makes the view feeling lost. I thought it made the world shallow. I loved it really up until they start to explain the tower and the wizard. I thought it would be much more effective if they completely left the world a mystery and simply had him enter the realm of the dead and then eventually find that he needs to let his mom go. That would have been a much more clean and solid story. It is still the best animated film to come out in like 10 years though. It's a masterpiece of the art of animation. Unfortunately those story problems really harm the film. I'd still recommend seeing it if you love animation though. Just know that there are story problems that make you feel confused by the end. It's very pleasant until that last act.
Didn't know Miyazaki was still alive, let alone making movies. Miyazaki made some pretty good movies, like Nausicaa and Laputa. Totoro was nice to watch, but typical of his movies in that it is beautiful to watch with charming characters, but nothing really dramatic happens until the very end, same for Kiki's Delivery Service.
Not all the Ghibli films are amazing. Spirited Away is the best for me. Howls moving castle, Totoro, Ponyo, Kiki’s Delivery Service are all good too. Oh yeah and Porco Rosso
Disney buys Studio Ghibli and as soon as any new movie comes out, they’re like “kill the mom”. Haha. Twas ever thus. Love Miyazaki films, my whole family does. I hope we all go see it. I edited this to get his name right. 😂 I’ll add that I’m a bit surprised that Alan didn’t get it. Not because “Asian”; just because they’re usually really incredible films that take such original directions, look beautiful, and have great music, as long as you don’t get that fuckin Totoro song stuck in your head.
I liked the first half of the film better, when it was very quiet and slower paced. The second half was a bit too silly and weird for me. Not a bad film, but not their best.
Tbh, I just feel they dropped the ball the moment he enters the spirit world. Its not even about story structure, its just nothing happens to warrant any experience or change on the mc in particular and the world is grosely underused and explained. Like, I was hooked in seeing how they were going to handle the grief of the boy and then... they didn't really do much. I feel conflicted with this film :/
@@Fairy-Uvinqit all started becoming weird after he hurt himself with stone. He got sick and have fever. The heron showed up and start saying things about his guilt/ lie. It's all fever dream!
I'm completely on Alan's side!) I respect Miyazaki, but don't get his movies. "The Wind Rises" is good, but all other iconic animes are just ok, nothing special for me))
Don't feel bad Allan....I'm don't get the popularity of bland, cookie cutter, and predictable Disney films. :) Give me the likes of Ralph Bakshi, Chuck Jones, or Hayao Miyazaki any day.
Im also not much of a studio Ghibli fan, i find the movies to all be the same. Tragedy on top of tragedy with colorful animations, Miyazaki in a nutshell.
Yes! Thank you Alan. Everybody I've spoken to about Miyazaki absolutely adores his work, but every time I've sampled his catalogue I ended up thinking "well...that was...fine." Not amazing, not terrible, just...fine. Unprovocative, but well made I suppose? Overwhelmingly whelming (as defined by Kevin Nealon, not Oxford dictionary). I no longer feel so alone! There must be tens of us out there!
Alan's painting analogy is spot on, if you dont understand Miyazaki is because you havent put the time in to learn his vocabulary . Miyazaki is an artist who happens to make moving pictures .Ironic that! For me, it was a privilege to see Miyazaki 's work on the big screen.
I’m sorry , I saw this movie yesterday and half the audience fell asleep , this moving was so boring , and plz don’t get into the whole west vs East storytelling and you have to be more open minded etc … I’m positive 90% of the ppl who goes to see this movie knows about that stuff, this is not a movie that u just accidentally walk into. It’s like tellin a roomful of artists that they just don’t understand the painting. Sometimes the painting is just bad. The art was excellent of course but the movie was a complete bomb too me.
I'm with Allen. A lot of his movies just Whiff with me. They are beautifully animated and very well crafted but the stories don't really appeal to me that much.
Alan is so respectful in his reviews even when he doesn't like the movie or "get them".
Just an honest review as it should be
The best way to view Miyazaki is to go in expecting something akin to Alice in Wonderland. You get surreal stories with no real villains, lots of introspection, and the heroes are often their own worst enemy. More often than not, the characters are overcoming their own faults, and not some "big bad". Whispers of the Heart would be a big example here. Many of the films are art movies, even by Japanese standards, and even the western stories that are adapted follow this.
As a mom I absolutely adore Ponyo, despite there not being a real plot or enemy....Just rural people trying to navigate what they believe is a natural disaster, all handling it and growing in their own way.
Alan Ng not getting Miyazaki while Chris Gore does is a hilarious contrast. Considering what a Disney guy Alan is, him not getting Miyazaki, who was admired by the pre-Iger Disney old guard, is a bit ironic.
Alan feeling in this movie is what I felt while watching Dune.
I'm really looking forward to this. For me, Miyazaki's films touch the human soul.
FYI Arrietty was based a British children's book (Mary Norton's 'The Borrowers'). Studio Ghibli have adapted two other British novels - 'Howl's Moving Castle' and 'When Marnie Was There'.
Miyazaki is credited as one of the screenwriters for Arrietty, but he's not the director, and so it shouldn't be called a Miyazaki film.
Miyazaki films do not typically have a 3 act structure or a coherent plot, it doesn’t work for most people. His filmography is a really mixed bag. When you get a good one, the experience is unlike any other, it will stick with you. Laputa, Nausicaa, and Mononoke are some of his finest work, and some of the finest cinematic work in general. Miyazaki’s finest cannot be overrated.
There's no problem admiting a movie and/or animation has been targeted to a specific audience, but not only being respectfull as also willing to see the qualities on a work by an author or within a genre you are not particularly fond of is what makes you a good critic.
Not always knowing what the hell is going on is part of the Miyazaki experience, what sets it apart is that the ride is a beautiful journey both thematically and visually.
Yeah, Miyazaki is VERY traditional asian storytelling. It meanders and changes forms all the time.
It's due to the way he writes his stories. As far as I'm aware (based on interviews) the movies are storyboarded straight ahead without a solid script, so it's more about connecting a bunch of ideas around a theme moreso than trying to make a cohesive narrative.
This is why his movies sort of start and stop in random places and plotlines will just be entirely dropped part way through the film without any real explanation as to why, because the actual script is tied to the storyboards and not the other way around.
@@bloopboop9320 Oh, the "breathing moments"... Those intermessions Myiazaki gives you time to just enjoy the visuals, like Chihiro travelling by train, Kiki flying throught the night or Sophie sitting by the lake after a whole day of cleaning and washing.
@@karinefonte516 I don't have issue with "breathing moments" I take issue with people claiming Miyazaki films are intentionally designed and written, when they are closer to a jumbled pile of ideas and concepts that are tonally connected. I still like segments from all of his films, but I can't name a single film of his where the entirety of the film works as a cohesive whole. Even Spirited Away has several moments that add nothing to the movie and pop-up out of nowhere, such as Haku learning his "identity".
@@bloopboop9320 I do like the idea of “gardener storyboarding”.
Miyazaki arguably makes movies for a smaller audience in a different creative and cultural ecosystem (Japan). It just happens that the larger audience here have taken to it, because our studio method for the past few decades of trying to please too many internationally has washed down the product has left the West ready to take anything not corporate boilerplate.
The other key difference being that Miyazaki's attempt to please that smaller audience - while balancing the old trope / experimentation in story - is organic. Or seems to be. He's said in the past, Ghibli was built on putting all or nothing on the next film, taking those chances and going for it - much like how Walt was early on. The stories, films, comics he's made, they're not because of some weird financial astroturfing by Blackrock ESG to force an appeal to a few while alienating a majority.
@@solarydays Like I said, it _seems_ like it was an organic set of creative choices. The seeming difference being that Ghibli's supervising and executive producers apparently allowed him to move things as he sees fit. Maybe it's a cultural thing - Ghibli bigwigs seem to act like it's not their place to tell the master craftsman how to go about doing his job. Or they at least approach it much more carefully than our own shadowy institutional investment groups or executive producers who - apparently like a troika - just demand a hire-at-will director or writer to put an x-mark in it over a Zoom call.
Actually, your comment sort of confirms some of my points. Up to Mononoke as you said, _"which was the most expensive anime feature movie of its time,"_ and then they had to go fishing around for international market support to keep the ball rolling at that level and sustain it. That sounds like quite a bit of creative and financial leverage and confidence was (and is) given to Miyazaki, about a decade and a half's worth of output up to that point.
@@solarydays"financial gamble"
Like balancing 13 blocks of stone to last another day?
No one had the guts to tell Miyazaki that the film was an incoherent mess that made no sense at all to anyone but him. It felt like an emperor has no clothes kind of situation where everyone pretends that this film was amazing.
When Alan said that Miyazaki is over-rated I literally gasped. I did not realise I could still be shocked.
He is. I think he does beautiful work, but most of his movies are disjointed and disconnected. The way the movies are written is via the storyboarding process instead of with a script first, so he's basically making the film up as he goes along. For instance, in The Wind Rises the movie was already beginning animation production before the movie's ending had been figured out.
I think Miyazaki has a very strong emotional intuition and his process for making movies makes deeply atmospheric and moody scenes, but they also make films that are only vaguely coherent in the narrative department.
Can’t believe that Alan didn’t get Princess Mononoke. It’s basically Avatar.
Haven't seen it, but it's been highly recommended.
I think it’s the best one
It was no _The Cat Returns_
Mononoke doesnt deal in binaries like humans = evil, nature = heroes like Avatar. Nature is brutal, unforgiving in its evolution despite humans pillaging it for its gifts. Humans are doing whatever they do, for self protection from other humans.
@@harbl99if only The Cat Returns didn't have that horrible generic art style.
The Borrowers is written by an English Author
Now I understand how Allan is a "Disney Shill", no offense. The fact that he cannot see how people can enjoy Miyasaki, but enjoys Disney musicals... maybe those are exclusive positions?
Laputa: Castle in the Sky and Lupin the 3rd: The Castle of Cagliostro are my top 2 Miyazaki films. Great action/adventure, stories, characters, music and quality animation prioritized above all else. If there’s one thing I don’t always like about some of his later movies, it’s the unconventional structures and lack of payoffs as far as the storytelling.
Also Laputa and Lupin are better dubbed imo
I'm with Alan. I love Ghibli, I most certainly don't love all Ghibli. Their titles are a 50/50 shot. Beautiful, as always, but not always sensical and *most definitely not linear all the time*.
Miyazaki films in general, have many hidden themes. They arent great to watch mindlessly but the "what is going on" aspect.. is always answered if you look close enough.
Love Alan for his honest reviews.
That being said.....BOOOOOOOOOO THIS MAN!!! XD
Back in the day we'd respectfully say "you're crazy" to each other and leave it at that
Japanese storytelling does not work in the same way as western storytelling. Western narration is based on conflict and resolution. Japanese narration is based on contrast, juxtaposition, and harmonization. If you watch a Mayazaki movie expecting the three-act structure, you will be dissapointed. You need to be open to a different kind of narrative experience.
Personally i think the lack of a traditional "ending" and that sense of frustration (Princess Mononoke) or forlorn (Porco Rosso, my #1) that makes his films so memorable. Even his sons film Earwig made me want more.
The narrative structure of western storytelling is based on Roman theater and literature structure, chiefly, Homer's Odyssey. Eastern storytelling is based on eastern theater structure literature, chiefly, Journey to the West.
Doesn't contradict the fact that one is definitely better than the other. It makes no sense to stick to inferior form of storytelling, or expect others to tolerate or praise it
@kirathekillernote2173 it's not inferior, just different.
@@keiichimorisato98Greek, not Roman
Will give it a watch~
(Joe Hisaishi, show me what you've got!)
Used to adore Ghibli Studio but the more I rewatch their works the less I enjoy them? There's a particular lack of refinement that becomes increasingly obvious? Howl's Moving Castle in particular -- broke my heart once the realization set it.
Porco Rosso, Kiki's Delivery Service, Ponyo have withstood repeated viewings. The others I've not cared to see more than twice. (Spirited Away & Nausicaa I'm chewing on still)
SG's story telling style, while differing from the theatrical releases of the big USA animation houses, is not particularly revolutionary or 'eastern' if you've watched European children's story animated films across the decades, read short stories as a kid, and seen enough animated straight to tv films. Rather pulp-esque. Would argue that it's the music & establishing scenic shots the are SG's bread & butter.
Lol, Alan. Secret Life of Arrietty isn’t a Miyazaki film. Ghibli, yes😂
It's fair to ballpark it I would say. It's no My Neighbors the Yamadas.
From what I remember, Miyazaki's process is to just go straight into story boarding and not use a script or plot outline. Just makes it up as he goes.
Yeah, and he's a lot like George Lucas in a lot of ways. Great visual storyteller and a master at story structure, but his dialogue writing is pretty mediocre. What we get in the west is filtered through a translator, even the subtitles are inevitably filtered. At least the translators working on Ghibli films respect the material to not insert their personal beliefs into the translation, which is an issue for a lot of projects.
I have enjoyed a number of Miyazaki's films. Princess Mononoke is one of my all time favorite films. I do have to say, that I was not big on Spirited Away and having watched it again recently, I still feel the same way. Gorgeous film, the animation is brilliant, you can't look away because every frame is mind-blowingly beautiful. The story though was lost on me as I felt there was so much going on that it made it hard to focus on any particular plot. So many sets, so many characters, so much happening that my feeble mind needed a break. I understand the flow, and everything that happens leads into the next, but I prefer a more focused story (a western style of story telling I suppose). I still like the film. I would happily watch it again, but I will always prefer Mononoke, Castle in the Sky, and Nausicaa above it.
The Wind Rises is my favorite movie.
You guys might appreciate Porco Rosso if you want a more straightforward Ghibli narrative.
Whisper of the Heart is great too.
Can tell Alan as been corrupted by Disney.
I am one of those people who don’t worship at the altar of Miyazaki. I vaguely his movies and nothing stood out to me as enjoyable while watching. I liked the trailer for this movie so I hope it’s a movie he’s made that I can actually enjoy and or rewatch. I’ll give it a chance.
Overrated?! Comparing it to a paint splatter?! And you were the one going on and on about the artistry of Disney (classics) in the recent Wish videos Alan. I can't think of words strong enough to express my disbelief and rebuke you here. You need to stop watching Disney and spend more time studying and appreciating Miyazaki. I don't know how you can watch Spirited Away and not be moved by its deep beauty. Glad to hear your review on this one Chris, I can't wait to see it!
“I don’t care for Miyazaki.” YOU ARE NOT OF THE BODY. YOU WILL BE ABSORBED.
I could not disagree with Alan more, but I really appreciate that you guys stick to your guns even though you know ya all might catch flak for it.
Thanks. I wish we call all realize these are just opinions about movies. This overreaction can get downright scary.
@@FilmThreat the world would be boring if we didn't like different things
Asian storytelling generally follows a four act structure (referred to as Kishōtenketsu), where conflict resolution is not necessary to end a story. It can definitely be unsatisfying for those who desire that sense of payoff we get in Western media. Still enjoy Alan's commentary though.
Tbh, its just the boy didn't seem to experience enough through the film to actually see him change. It focused entirely on his grief in the our world then he jumped into the spirit world and it was just... random bullshit for the most part? It didn't seem to give enough for us to understand how everything was affecting him. It felt more like the movie was going from one screen to the next with no real resoning. Beautiful animation, strong voice acting but the movie just felt like a shallow pond that wanted to make itself look like an ocean. Its not even about the pay off, the boy may aswell been a car to give us a tour of the spirit world instead of an actual character. We barely even get actual info of the world even thou its the main focus of basically two thirds of the movie. I just don't feel it did much with the world they created nor the characters or the themes present in the film. And its not like I wanted a different ending or anything. One of my favorite films is kagura and that one had a very different type of ending than what is normaly seen. This... just doesn't feel like it have any substance
Holy shit, I have never seen a worse take about Miyazaki's movies - he is not even making that complicated movies, Jesus.
The Secret World of Arrietty isn't a Miyazaki film but it is a Studio Ghibli Film that was made by a different director.
Loved my time with the movie. Many things to think over after watching. Love the visuals and characters. Has a great themes. I take the main point is live, create, and treasure the time you have. I watched it with subs and after the credits. I saw the cast for English and want to rewatch again with dubs. Ghibli and Miyazaki are truly something spacial and try to get anyone to watch one of there films. They are amazing. Spirited Away my favorite but I love so many others.
Where do I rank this one? Not sure. I think its pretty high. I already want to rewatch it again which is a great sign.
I'm here because of Chris's interview on Normal World.
I just saw it for the second time. It’s so layered that it was impossible to grasp it all in one viewing.
Every Studio Ghibli film is made for everyone from infants to grown-ass adults ☝🏻 There is a reason why their films always come out in the middle summer where most school kids are on their summer vacation here in Japan.
I just watched this movie last night on Friday and I honestly think this is a perplexing movie. I think it’s a good movie this requires a little time to digest as there is much symbolism and metaphors going on. After discussing with my brother and friend there is a lot going on that you’ll miss if you are aren’t observant. I’ll probably watch again on home video or something with a group of friends so we can slowly dissect the movie at our own pace.
I like a bunch of Miyazaki’s films… I did not like The Boy and the Heron. I really liked the trailer for this movie but it felt very different from the film.
If you want a more Hollywood structured Miyazaki film, try Castle in the Sky/ Laputa. Great adventure and sense of wonder with some very Spielbergian set pieces. I love Miyazaki's imagery, but most of his films are not my taste. Nausicaa, Laputa, and Future Boy Conan are about the only ones I ever rewatch.
American movies are like driving in a car from point A to B.
Miyazaki movies are like wandering in a dream.
I've never met someone that hated Spirited Away. But I guess for those who do, they probably won't like this movie, either.
Interesting take. Couldn't disagree more, but good to know there are... opinions like this. I guess.
Yes. I don't understand Chris' take either.
Are all Studio Ghibli movies like this? Because while it sort of came together at the end, it wasn’t very good.
"I'm a fiend for mojitos." - Sonny Crockett
It's whimsical with a message of hope.
I’m mixed on this film because it is good but I have a lot of issues with how the story is presented. So much happens in the last hour after the first hour was spent on the real world for longer than it needed to be. I was interested in seeing the stuff in the fantasy world and what was happening, but it gets skimmed over too much to really care. Even the big reveal feels not as impactful because it doesn’t get much build up or development. It’s a film that has heart and passion, but also has too much happening as well.
I feel the opposite. The best part of the film was in the real world while the spirit world completely fell face first into the ground. It was mostly random stuff with no real resoning behind it with the character not really appearing to change much through the film. It may aswell ended in the real world if they weren't going to do much with a world they clearly put a lot of effort to make. Its like, they dropped the ball on the mc after the first part and the spirit world didn't serve any real special function outside wasting your time with pretty and weird stuff.
Hell, I know weird is part of his trademark but in here I rarely felt there was a reason for much of the spirit world
Alan's childlike wonder has been withered by exposure to too much Hollywood
How many Studio Ghibli films as Alan seen? because not all of them are Arty Farty as he seems to think they are
No. Just 60% of them lol
Secret Life of Arrietty is based on the British author's book The Borrowers, not an American
The problem with any movie, not just Miyazaki is that people overhype movies for others. For the longest time, my friends were telling me to watch Monty Python and the Quest for the Holy Grail because it was the funniest thing since sliced bread. I watched it and found it to be alright. Had they just recommended it like a normal movie, I might have enjoyed it more. They set the expectations too high, and it fails to meet them.
Did you watch it in a group?
@@CleverGirlAAH No. They would have been looking at me after every joke to see if I was laughing with them.
I am so excited to see this movie.
Ng Man Bad
Can't get enough of Hayao Miyazaki's films. The storylines are admittedly somewhat obtuse at times, but the experience is fantastic nonetheless. I actually prefer the dubbed versions by Disney as I don't want my attention drawn below to the subtitles. Miyazaki as a person is another story...look up the word "curmudgeon" in the dictionary and you'll find his picture there!
Hayao prefers people to watch his films in their native language, as he prioritizes visual storytelling over anything else.
I also sometimes wonder about him, given the names he gives to movies. Kiki's Delivery Service and Laputa, for instance. Kiki is derogatory for breasts in Filipino, I believe, and La Puta is derogatory for another female body part in Spanish.
@@retiefgregorovich810Those were adaptations. The names already existed.
@@retiefgregorovich810 Kiki's Deliveey Service is a popular Japanese children's book. Laputa is from Gulliver's Travels.
@@retiefgregorovich810Kiki was the name given to the character by the author of the book from the 80s. Laputa is from Gulliver's Travels.
Ghibli is not for everyone n I get it. I have lots of unpopular opinions. At least he’s not being phony.
Don’t give Alan any Anime!
Your probably right.
Miyazaki is arguably the greatest animation director of all time. A PLAGUE UPON ALAN'S HOUSE FOR THIS BLASPHEMY! Lol nah I get it. He's not for everyone. I'm not a fan of some of his earlier work. And Ponyo wasn't really my thing. Personally his best films in my opinion are Princess Mononoke, Spirited Away, Howls Moving Castle, and The Wind Rises. The Boy and the Heron was great. But I think it suffered from some story problems that made the viewer feeling confused because it abandons the central plot of finding his mom and then adds a random chosen one plot line towards the end that makes the view feeling lost. I thought it made the world shallow. I loved it really up until they start to explain the tower and the wizard. I thought it would be much more effective if they completely left the world a mystery and simply had him enter the realm of the dead and then eventually find that he needs to let his mom go. That would have been a much more clean and solid story. It is still the best animated film to come out in like 10 years though. It's a masterpiece of the art of animation. Unfortunately those story problems really harm the film. I'd still recommend seeing it if you love animation though. Just know that there are story problems that make you feel confused by the end. It's very pleasant until that last act.
Didn't know Miyazaki was still alive, let alone making movies. Miyazaki made some pretty good movies, like Nausicaa and Laputa. Totoro was nice to watch, but typical of his movies in that it is beautiful to watch with charming characters, but nothing really dramatic happens until the very end, same for Kiki's Delivery Service.
I think this is planned to be his last.
Alan says he hates Mononoke Hime... then goes into hiding.
as a person that collects the films i like from Ghibli, I wont be picking this up unless i can get it for $5
im realy looking foward to this movie
I think his first film is still the best. Watch Castle in the sky if you haven't seen it.
Not all the Ghibli films are amazing. Spirited Away is the best for me. Howls moving castle, Totoro, Ponyo, Kiki’s Delivery Service are all good too. Oh yeah and Porco Rosso
Disney buys Studio Ghibli and as soon as any new movie comes out, they’re like “kill the mom”.
Haha.
Twas ever thus.
Love Miyazaki films, my whole family does.
I hope we all go see it.
I edited this to get his name right. 😂
I’ll add that I’m a bit surprised that Alan didn’t get it. Not because “Asian”; just because they’re usually really incredible films that take such original directions, look beautiful, and have great music, as long as you don’t get that fuckin Totoro song stuck in your head.
for me the best Ghibli films are the ones NOT directed by Miyazaki (e.g. Whisper of the Heart)
I will probably wait until I can watch it in Japanese with subtitles because I prefer it that way
I liked the first half of the film better, when it was very quiet and slower paced. The second half was a bit too silly and weird for me. Not a bad film, but not their best.
Great to have different opinions, while it seems Alan Ng seems to be totally lacking the inner child. That too is existence. ¯\_(ツ)_/¯
This is supposedly the last Ghibli movie
OH YEA, Disney’s Wish is definitely going to get crushed by Hayao Miyazaki’s The Boy and the Heron!
The majority of the reception here in Japan was WHAT THE FUCK, lol, even for most diehard Miyazaki fans. So in a sense, Alan is right again.
Tbh, I just feel they dropped the ball the moment he enters the spirit world. Its not even about story structure, its just nothing happens to warrant any experience or change on the mc in particular and the world is grosely underused and explained. Like, I was hooked in seeing how they were going to handle the grief of the boy and then... they didn't really do much.
I feel conflicted with this film :/
@@Fairy-Uvinqit all started becoming weird after he hurt himself with stone.
He got sick and have fever. The heron showed up and start saying things about his guilt/ lie.
It's all fever dream!
Asian intelligence myth busted in a single movie review...
I'm kidding.
Not enough math in the movie.
I thought it was kinda weak. It looks good but narratively i was like wtf?
I'm waiting for the live action Higurashi! 😂 can't wait hope its rated R!
I'm completely on Alan's side!) I respect Miyazaki, but don't get his movies. "The Wind Rises" is good, but all other iconic animes are just ok, nothing special for me))
Cancel Alan
Subs are better than dubs 😊
Don't feel bad Allan....I'm don't get the popularity of bland, cookie cutter, and predictable Disney films. :) Give me the likes of Ralph Bakshi, Chuck Jones, or Hayao Miyazaki any day.
Im also not much of a studio Ghibli fan, i find the movies to all be the same. Tragedy on top of tragedy with colorful animations, Miyazaki in a nutshell.
It's not wrong hehehe
Alan has gone down in my opinion. Tsk. Lol.
I want to see this
Yes! Thank you Alan.
Everybody I've spoken to about Miyazaki absolutely adores his work, but every time I've sampled his catalogue I ended up thinking "well...that was...fine."
Not amazing, not terrible, just...fine. Unprovocative, but well made I suppose?
Overwhelmingly whelming (as defined by Kevin Nealon, not Oxford dictionary).
I no longer feel so alone! There must be tens of us out there!
I agree with Alan, Miyazaki in my opinion, is overrated. I’m so glad I’m not alone.
You would need atleast 3 brain cell to understand it. Totally get it.
My Neighbor Totoro is insanely overrated, agreed.
Spirited Away, Princess Mononoke, and Howl's Moving Castle are his only good three movies.
I'm a weeb and I stand with Alan on this one.
Alan's painting analogy is spot on, if you dont understand Miyazaki is because you havent put the time in to learn his vocabulary . Miyazaki is an artist who happens to make moving pictures .Ironic that! For me, it was a privilege to see Miyazaki 's work on the big screen.
Alan's brain hurts
I’m with Alan honestly
I’m sorry , I saw this movie yesterday and half the audience fell asleep , this moving was so boring , and plz don’t get into the whole west vs East storytelling and you have to be more open minded etc … I’m positive 90% of the ppl who goes to see this movie knows about that stuff, this is not a movie that u just accidentally walk into. It’s like tellin a roomful of artists that they just don’t understand the painting. Sometimes the painting is just bad. The art was excellent of course but the movie was a complete bomb too me.
"at least while watching I was engaged, instead of sheer boredom!" - lol. Gotta love Alan's honest opinion
Do yourself a favor and watch literally any other Studio Ghibli movie instead of this.
Yeah i watched so many Miyazaki movies. I never understood the praise. Tried so hard to like them. But i am indifferent.
Alan is an idiot? Wow.🤔🤔
An opinion is not a hot take. But this again reminds how milqetoast and dumbed down 98% of western animation has become
Saw the film last night. Alan is spot on. I found the movie to be rather confusing and bad
Better than Wish tho
I'm with Allen. A lot of his movies just Whiff with me. They are beautifully animated and very well crafted but the stories don't really appeal to me that much.
Asian guy sounds like he only watches “realistic” anime then? How boring.
I watched his movies but spirited was just boring to me..the weird cute characters work once twice not ten times, on me at least