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Reviews
Akatsuki no Yona (2014)
A Hidden Treasure
This is the anime I never knew I needed. Yona of the Dawn is, at its core, a feminist anime, which is surprising considering Yona is a princess. It is a compelling adventure story that simultaneously proves that anime does not have to be about girls finding a boyfriend or taking down an enemy dressed in revealing attire.
The series opens with Yona's sheltered life in the castle. She is simple, and quite frankly, a bore. Although, the most cliché aspect of her life is her budding feelings for her cousin named Su- won, who's handsome, kind, and speaks with a gentle tone. Just when the viewer is about to consider watching a different anime, the boring plot the viewer anticipated is completely reversed. Su-won kills Yona's father in cold blood, and even orders Yona's death before her friend Hak saves her and takes her away from the castle. With this, Yona of the Dawn establishes its unpredictable nature.
After the death of her father and Su-won's betrayal, Yona becomes distant. She completely depends on Hak to do everything as she drowns in her despair. It's not until they are attacked by bandits and Hak is peril that Yona finally breaks out of her shell. One of the bandits grabs her by her hair, and to get away, she takes his sword and cuts it off. Cutting her hair symbolizes the fact that she is leaving her old life behind, helped by the fact that Su-won gave her a hair clip for her most recent birthday. After Yona cuts her hair, she begins to help Hak fight the bandits and very slowly begins the healing process.
One of the most admirable qualities of this anime is the fact that it takes it's time. Yona doesn't get over her father's death instantly – instead, she goes through a lengthy grieving stage with several setbacks along the way. She may have shed her old naivety by cutting her hair, but she doesn't become instantly independent. Rather, she begins to show an interest in learning more about her kingdom and about herself. Yona asks Hak to teach her how to use a bow and arrow, but even that takes time. She's not an instant natural, and is shown practicing across several episodes. The continuity of the show is a welcome reprieve from several other series that ignore certain plot points as the show progresses. In addition, the slower progression of the story makes the characters seem more realistic, and most of all, human. Overall, that's what this show does best. It takes the time to explore every aspect of the characters and show that, despite their diverse backgrounds, they're all people. Indeed, it's a rather unusual message for an animated series to tell.
The rest of the anime focuses on her quest to find the four dragon warriors who are tasked with protecting the Crimson King, of whom Yona is a reincarnation. Every time they encounter one of the warriors, the anime stops and takes the viewer back in time to view the warrior's story. The backstories highlight the most important details of their lives up to this point, and allow the viewer to understand the reasons behind the warriors' actions and personality. This a prime example of the 'show don't tell' concept. The viewer gets to experience the warriors' backstories firsthand, making it far more exciting. This concept is also used to evoke sympathy for Yona and Hak. After Su-won murders Yona's father, the anime goes back in time to explore the childhood friendship between Yona, Hak and Su-won. Witnessing the genuine appreciation the three had for each other makes Su-won's betrayal even more tragic.
Another thing that makes this anime stand out is the complex villain. It is established in the first episode that Su-won is the villain, but as the series progresses, the viewer becomes just as confused as Yona about their feelings regarding his behavior. Rather than being tyrannical, he advocates for good policies and tries to rebuild the kingdom. There are times when the viewer wonders why they hated him in the first place. His voice actor, Yusuke Kobayashi, maintains his soft, gentle tone. It almost seems as though one could forgive him for killing Yona's father because, as it is later revealed, Yona's father killed Su-won's father. Like Yona and Hak, Su-won is only human, with motivation behind every action. Once again, Yona of the Dawn explores every angle of a character, this time even playing with the viewer's moral compass.
In the end, Yona is back on her feet, fighting for the kingdom she loves alongside her comrades. She's no longer a dependent. She can fight with a bow and arrow, and is not afraid to risk her life in battle. And why is she a feminist? This clueless princess acknowledged her helplessness, and slowly built a new life for herself to the point where she could stand just as tall as her male companions.
Kubo and the Two Strings (2016)
A Film That Will Delight Your Inner Child and Nurture Your Adult Soul
Kubo and the Two Strings acts as a gentle reminder that in a world of breathtaking CGI, stop-motion is still a relevant source of entertainment. The film follows Kubo, a one-eyed young boy living with his mom. Kubo is very independent because his mother is not always lucid. He uses his magical shamisen to create complex origami figures and tell stories to the villagers. One night, Kubo stays out past sunset and his two evil Aunts come to visit him and try to take his other eye. Kubo's mother saves him and, using the last of her magic, transports him somewhere else and brings his wooden charm in the shape of a monkey to life. Monkey informs Kubo that he needs to find three special pieces of armor so that he remains untouched by his Aunts and Grandfather. During their quest, they meet Beetle, a samurai that takes the form of a beetle and can't remember much about his past. The film follows the trio as they seek to find the infamous armor and protect the village from the tyranny of the Moon King. It's obvious that the creators put a lot of time and thought into their work. Without fail, every scene is picturesque and colorful. The setting is chock full of intricate designs, and the attention to detail is astonishing. The fish that Kubo and Beetle catch while they're on the boat have distinctive scales and other small, defining features. In my opinion, one of the more impressive aspects of the film is the usage of light. Whenever Kubo encounters dangers along his journey, everything becomes much darker. When his evil Aunts fight with Monkey, and when Kubo eventually faces the Moon King, there is an absence of natural light, which makes a lot a of sense. Darkness is typically associated with evil, while light is associated with innocence and feelings of contentment. When Kubo is performing for the villagers or spending time with Beetle and Monkey, the scene is bright to reflect Kubo's happiness. This constant switch between light and darkness is very consistent throughout the entire film. The constant changes in lighting can also partially be explained by the film's balance of comedy and suspenseful or upsetting scenes. The film even dares to blur the lines sometimes: a few of the suspenseful scenes contain comical elements. The comedy ensures that viewers are never left in a state of tension, fear or sadness for too long. Because the content is sometimes very heavy, a lot of comedy is required to uplift people's spirits. The comedy elements also show that the film is meant for a wide audience, including children. Kubo and The Two Strings tries to retain a certain lightness for its younger viewers. I think my favorite aspect of the film was that the characters, especially Kubo, seem very realistic. When Kubo first begins his journey with Monkey, she chastises him for not taking the whole situation seriously. Kubo is not an adult, and the film acknowledges that and acts accordingly. Kubo even mocks Monkey at points, and displays other childish behavior that makes him a more believable child protagonist. Kubo's mother's behavior is also very typical. After she becomes Monkey, she makes constant comments regarding his health and well-being. She tries her very hardest to protect him from harm, even going so far as to put her own safety at risk. Overall, Kubo and the Two Strings is a fantastic film. The technical and creative elements, as well as the realistic, likable characters, work together to tell a simple adventure story with plenty of unique elements. The film leaves you with an interesting, thought-provoking perspective: memories, which cannot be destroyed, are the most powerful things that we possess.
Dead Man Walking (1995)
A Truly Masterful Film About a Controversial Issue
I admire any film that is brave enough to tackle controversial issues, but this film is one of a kind because it explores them in such a compelling fashion. The film pays little attention to the legal implications of the death penalty and instead focuses on the emotions behind it. Matthew Poncelet may be a murderer and a rapist, but this film dares to humanize him. And while the movie primarily focuses on him, it also explores the emotions of everyone involved: his family, the police, and even the parents of the teenager's Poncelet killed. One moment you're listening to the parents of the dead teenagers discuss the suffering they've endured, and then the next Matthew Poncelet is having difficulty walking away from his family for the last time. It makes your moral compass go haywire, but in the end it's necessary.
I think the film's strongest elements are pacing and build-up. The movie begins with Poncelet on death row, and as it progresses, he tries to dodge his fate with the help of Sister Helen. Each time, however, Poncelet's proposed solutions fail, but he is quick to offer another before the viewer has given up completely. This constant 'push and pull' with the viewer mirrors Poncelet's mentality. Poncelet, because he fears the death penalty, has developed a sort of coping mechanism by latching on to these supposed solutions, being disappointed, and then moving on to the next thing. This format leads to a slow build-up as Poncelet runs out of options and viewers start to wonder if he will truly meet his fate. By the time Poncelet realizes he has no way out, the film has established a friendship between Helen and Poncelet, and viewers have gotten a glimpse into Poncelet's more favorable characteristics. This effectively causes the viewer to sympathize with Poncelet as they realize he's going to die. The most powerful scene of the film is certainly the execution scene. The somber music coupled with the slow march to the execution room as a cop shouts "Dead man walking!" are enough to put anyone on edge. Helen walks next to Poncelet and reads the Bible to him, while the policemen stare straight ahead with emotionless expressions. Even the nurse who helps administer the injection seems to be going through the motions. This helps to turn the viewer against the people who are administering the death penalty. The silence of the parents following Poncelet's apology on his deathbed makes the parents seem shallow. In the end, it seems as though the only people showing any emotion are Helen and Poncelet. Viewers can't help but feel sorry for Poncelet as he watches the lethal drugs enter his body, while Helen sits outside, her arm outstretched to show her support. Susan Sarandon and Sean Penn both give outstanding performances in this scene, and throughout the film.
Perhaps the film is biased towards one side of the argument, but either way, it raises questions and prompts some much-needed soul-searching for anyone brave enough to watch it.
Chocolat (2000)
A Truly Delectable Film
This will forever be one my favorite films. While the plot is a relatively straightforward story about a small town, the film is packed with powerful messages that can benefit everyone, regardless of their background. Each character is well-developed, interesting, and unique, with stellar performances given by all, most notably Juliette Binoche and Judi Dench. The set and location of the film are simple, yet pleasant. Perhaps the only scenes where the characters aren't the center of attention are those where Vianne is making delectable chocolate creations. It just goes to show that telling a good story doesn't require fancy effects or breath-taking scenery. Throughout the film, the overarching themes seem to be the influence of tradition, while the main message is one of tolerance and acceptance. Both Vianne and the conservative villagers struggle with the prospect of giving up certain traditions. Vianne embodies what a main character should be: bold and courageous, but not infallible. She struggles to let go of her timeless family tradition that involves moving from place to place. Meanwhile, the villagers struggle to challenge their own religious traditions and accept ideologies separate from their own. They initially refuse to enter her shop, even though by doing so they would be rewarded with delicious chocolate. This shows just how much influence tradition can have over people. When Roux enters the village, he is treated as an outcast by everyone except Vianne. The romantic relationship that blossoms from their encounter further serves to show viewers that acceptance brings mutual rewards. Overall, as the movie progresses, both Vianne and the villagers go through a slow, believable transitional period with several setbacks along the way. The film furthers this message of acceptance by extending it to single mothers and independent women, both frowned upon especially during that time. The villagers at first are shocked that Anouk is Vianne's illegitimate child, but soon overcome their judgments and realize that this does not define her. Another woman, Josephine, leaves her husband after suffering domestic abuse, eventually gaining control over the café he used to own and starting to live life by her own terms. Another intriguing aspect of the film is that the focus remains on the transitional period of the characters. While you may be left to wonder about some things, especially the paternity of Anouk, they are purposefully not revealed because they aren't relevant to the story. The film never strays from the characters and their interactions except to reveal something that is essential to the current story line. Overall, I would recommend this film to everyone. In a world increasingly divided because of our differences, we could all learn something from Vianne's tolerance and kindness.