Review of The Boy and the Beast (2015) by Galen R — 30 Oct 2015
The Boy and the Beast is the latest film from Mamoru Hosoda, known for directing award winning japanese animated films like Wolf Children and Summer Wars. The Boy is Ky?ta a runaway living as a street urchin in modern Tokyo, The Beast is Kumatetsu an anthropomorphic bear-man from a realm of animal deities.
Kumatetsu is uncouth, quick to anger but he has taught himself to be a very strong fighter and thus is chosen by his master, the lord of the realm, to be his successor if he can defeat his rival Iözen but first he must find an apprentice. Kumatetsu has a chance meeting with Ky?ta while wandering the streets of Shibuya and Ky?ta follows him back to the realm of deities.
The film is about the relationship of these two characters and their struggle to teach each other. It is a real joy watching them butt heads and journey through this fascinating realm. The second half of the movie has an extended sequence involving a return to Tokyo that kills the pacing a bit and feels a bit of a forced way to create conflict, it is necessary to set up the 3rd act but it definitely lacks the energy from the rest of the film.
If you were bummed by Studio Ghibli pulling out of feature animation then I highly recommend Hosada's films as the next best thing. The Boy and the Beast continues a strong run of films from the director.
This review of The Boy and the Beast (2015) was written by Galen R on 30 Oct 2015.
The Boy and the Beast has generally received very positive reviews.
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