Review of Your Name. (2016) by 43In2014 — 30 Dec 2016
Related media: This Japanese anime film is based on the manga of the same name, but I haven’t read it. >.
What's it like?: A comet passes over Japan and the lives of two people are inexplicably linked while a disaster impends. It is like a cross of two film tropes, the first being body-swapping between two people, seen in films such as Freaky Friday and Like Father Like Son, while the second trope is a spoiler. ### Move to the next paragraph now to skip this spoiler. ### The second trope is seen in a Korean film called Il Mare and its American remake called Lake House.
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Pros:
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1. The concept of the film is rather complex as it merges Japanese culture and its beliefs with the tropes of body-swapping and one other sci-fi trope that is a spoiler. As a result, it is a film that requires a bit of attention. However, the reward at the end is well worth it. If you are into those three elements, then you’ll love this film. However, see Cons #1.
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2. I saw the American animated film, Sing, a day after watching this. The gulf in the complexity of the artwork is immense. For example, for a tree, you will see the outlines of the tree, the branches and the trunk in Sing, while the same tree in Your Name has individual leaves. Imagine the effort required to hand draw these. Imagine the effort required to animate them when there is wind! Everything is so beautifully drawn!
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3. The use of the second trope in the middle of the film elevates this film from an average-good film to a good-excellent film.
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4. Comedic elements covering childhood fantasies, high school angst and dating difficulties were used throughout the film to make this a partial comedy. They are very well done and they break the language barrier for the international audience.
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Cons: >.
1. The complexity of this film makes it harder for younger children or older adults to understand it fully.
2. The major problem close to end of the film was solved with a dues ex machina that was not properly explained. It need not be that way.
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How would the different age groups rate it?
Children: Good.
Teenagers: Excellent.
Young adults: Excellent.
Medium age adults: Excellent.
Old adults: Good.
My rating: 5/5 (no half scores). It's worth it to watch it in the cinemas and then buy the DVDs.
This review of Your Name. (2016) was written by 43In2014 on 30 Dec 2016.
Your Name. has generally received very positive reviews.
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