With Japan’s Studio Ghibli in animated abeyance, director Hiromasa Yonebayashi (see below for ARRIETTY/’10 and WHEN MARNIE WAS THERE/’14*) decamped for the new Studio Ponoc and this over-stuffed would-be dazzler. Frankly, it’s a mess, with bits & pieces out of THE WIZARD OF OZ; HARRY POTTER; PETER PAN; HANSEL & GRETEL; various Studio Ghibli classics; and a whopping slice of THE ISLAND OF DR. MOREAU. It plays as if Yonebayashi thought he’d have just the one chance to show his stuff and had to get everything out there all at once. The story finds red-headed Mary, living with her Grand Aunt while the folks are away, following a pair of cats into the enchanted woods she’s been warned to stay out of, especially on a misty day. Soon, with new friend Peter, she’s gotten into trouble with some wizards who first think she’s a natural witch, a once in a lifetime prodigy, but soon discover her powers stem from a special flower that only blooms once in seven years, a blossom the evil wizards covet for themselves. Some of the hyperventilating animated sequences are impressively organized, but nothing really builds or makes much narrative sense. Worse, other than Peter, the characters never develop an aura of magic or charm, running around to little emotional effect. (But listen up in the English language version to hear Kate Winslet vocally imitate Elsa Lancaster as one of the villains.) Perhaps now that he’s displayed his wares, Yonebayashi will tone it down and stop pushing so hard. Hopefully on a story that doesn’t feel like ‘70s Disney animation with a plucky little girl in jeopardy, pumped up anime style.
WATCH THIS, NOT THAT: *Neither of Yonebayashi’s two previous films as director quite work, but as ‘Key Animator’ on his last two Ghibli projects (Gorô Miyazaki’s FROM UP ON POPPY HILL/’11 and Hayao Miyazaki’s THE WIND RISES/’13), he shows what he’s capable of on less fantastic, more down-to-earth material.
No comments:
Post a Comment