Son’s third attempt Hayao Miyazaki making a successful full-length animated film was supposed to be the studio’s first three-dimensional work Ghibli and an international blockbuster. However, the coronavirus epidemic and the remote affected the release date “Ai and witches”And possibly the quality of the final product.
Most likely, however, the main problem was the approach itself. Goro, who in his works slowly reveals the plot, leaving many questions unanswered and suddenly interrupting the entire narrative in the third act on the credits. But what’s good for a pilot episode doesn’t work well for a feature film. Although in this situation the source itself affected. “Irvig and the witch”Was never finished during the life of a British children’s writer Diane Winn Jones and left after her death. Prior to this, Miyazaki Sr. amazingly filmed “Walking castle”From the same Jones. Anyway, let’s get back to the plot.
The red-haired witch leaves her own daughter in the St. Morvalds orphanage, hiding from the persecution of 12 older witches. A girl named Ayatsuro (originally Irvig) or just Aya grows up as an active and intelligent child who, by the age of 8, perfectly manipulates others and is not at all going to leave her beloved shelter, where they feed a delicious shepherd’s pie. But suddenly she is adopted by the witch Bella Yaga and the demonic Mandrake. Now she has to spend months locked up, following the orders of the witch and helping with the housework, but cunning, talent and natural tenacity, together with the talking cat Thomas, will help the girl to succeed.
A life-affirming idea combined with interesting characters captures in the first half of the film, but then the pace drops, many questions remain unanswered, and the story suddenly ends at the most interesting place. At the same time, the authors weave into the narrative a musical group that exists exclusively in the memories of the heroes.
The background of the key characters, their skills and motives are practically not disclosed. The main character herself is charming, but the authors do not set any goals for her, except for a comfortable standard of living. She is not trying to find a mother or help people. All she tries for is personal comfort and convenience. And although the story is based on the idea that “perseverance and work” will grind everything, the characters do not have global positive goals.
As the story unfolds, you don’t sympathize with the characters, you don’t understand them. Not to mention that the whole world and the characters resemble an episode from the middle of the series, where another cliffhanger will force you to watch a sequel, which in this case will not be.
The three-dimensional graphics are not annoying, but they are also nothing special. Spanish “Monster academies”She is no worse.
And in the film “Aya and the Witch” there is a certain element of secondaryness, if you compare it with the past works of the studio, for example, the same “Witch delivery service”. However, for one evening on the couch in a noisy company of friends or a warm family, even this not the brightest work of the son of a genius master of Japanese animation may be more than suitable. Unless, of course, you have high enough expectations.
“Aya and the Witch” will be released in Russia on March 25.
6/10
Author: Alexander Loginov (xtr)
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