Review of Your Name. (2016) by Jim T — 04 Mar 2018

Well, it seems it was possible to make my promise after all as I finally got around to rewatching 'Your Name' again after letting some time sit with me on the film. For those wondering if I liked it, I mentioned when I wrote my first review for the film that I was "afraid the end result of me finally watching director Makato Shinkai's film would've been largely different (and even somewhat negative) compared to the high reception the films gotten from both it's critics and audiences", and after finally seeing the film I did really enjoy it but felt that there was just one thing that kept me from fully enjoying it like everyone else did. Now that I was able to rewatch it just recently, I can now finally reaffirm some of my thoughts on it, which being that I did (thankfully) still really enjoy it, however unfortunately with some of the same problems I had when I originally watched it. While I can't say by any means it's a masterpiece, which is perfectly fine as nothing is no matter what you think is as everything has faults, as issues with sort of the plot and it's characters can rise, I can still safely say this a film I understand why a lot of people seem to really have loved when it came out, as it excels in execution and being emotionally engaging.

And while most of my issues with the film before are still present after rewatching it (though these three im listing are still just minor issues that don't seriously affect me getting into it) such as two minor complaints like the movies universe time traveling only slightly making it hard at times to make any sense of some plot beats, some side characters feeling a bit too archetype-ish and a bit cliche, and the scripts often popped up coincidental and convenient plot beats that occur that are fine but just come off a bit too noticeable, my only major and real issue that I really did wish the film would've fixed because I would've otherwise loved the film more was being despite having the two (might I add) well written and genuinely heartfelt main leads Taki and Mitusha who's romance is still sweet and engaging to some degree the film unfortunately doesn't give us a specific reason why both would ironically like each other the way they do (specifically when they start switching bodies and the film decides to do a 'Switch places' montage to move the plot along and we see is how Mitusha develops feelings for Taki, but during this part was where they should've made at least one scene to make us understand why at least specifically Mitusha starts to like Taki and then learn why Taki likes her back when she helps him set up a date for Taki's boss since when you really think about it because there's seemingly no other concrete reason given for why they like each other just than the fact they've switched bodies and gotten used to it, and it pained me as a result not get to fully into it and make the ending more heavy hitting) and so as a result I wasn't able to fully get emotionally involved with the film as much as most. But thankfully, despite my one major complaint holding me back from loving the film more (which I do really feel is a shame because it was really the only thing I had a issue with) I really need to say that 'Your Name' excels in pretty much everything else, and it just gushes with superb quality even with its weakest aspects.

And this really shines from (despite how complex and intricate it gets) a very engaging and charging plot that even after already knowing what happen is still entertaining as hell to watch, the main characters having both solid arcs and I must say a very sweet and almost mature romance that really rides off both the characters interests and their insanely engaging chemistry, side characters that serve the plot well and even have their own struggling arcs and serve as fun people to connect to the universe, writing that really shines through and makes for some good emotional scenes and funny moments, animation that (really unsurprisingly) has some of the most finest and amazing attention to detail both in its hand drawn and CG animation and art style, the voice actors bringing a lot of range and an emotional core to their roles (and also get extra points for picking people that fit the side characters ages), a lot of good transitional shots and framing that also get extra points for making it have a good technical feel, thankfully and cleverly avoids cliches and adds some nice surprises, and has such an engaging and almost surreal tone and feel that hooks you into the film almost immediately to keep you going.

I'm happy to say that despite that my feelings for the film still feeling very much the same, Your Name' still manages to be so well written and engaging enough to make up for both some of its issues and things to notice on multiple viewings. I did really wish I could've gotten the 'tear jerking' experience some felt with it, but thankfully most of the films other qualities more than make up for how much fun and character driven the film feels. And as I said once back the first time I watched the film I hope that 'Your Name' is a film I can "...re-watch a lot in the future and look back on to still enjoy.".