By Lucas L.
The Wind Rises is among Miyazaki’s best.Hayao Miyazaki has claimed this is is his last film, which is sad, but is definitely worthy of the title ‘Swan Song’. The Wind Rises follows the life of Jiro Horikoshi, a famous Japanese designer who designed several of the Japanese fighter planes in World War II. It’s a very serious topic compared to Miyazaki’s previous efforts, yet it manages to over shine many much of his previous work.
For those who do not know, Hayao Miyazaki is arguably one of the greatest animation directors of all time. He has directed such films as My Neighbour Totoro and Spirited Away. He has mastered his craft in previous years, but the material here is what shines. In a sense, the credit should be given to the writing, which is stupendous and very well done. There’s a serious story here, but it also combines some classic Japanese charm. It never over complicates the design aspect of planes or over simplifies it either. There’s a fine line The Wind Rises walks, but it does so quite well.
The animation is amazing. This film is beautifully visualized. The dream sequences are stunning and incredible. The artists did something here where they realized a three dimensional world in a two dimensional plane. There is a foreground and background and shading is quite well done. I’m no expert in this area, but it looks great, you wouldn’t be disappointed in that aspect of the film.
But that isn’t to say that The Wind Rises is without it’s flaws. It is roughly fifteen minutes too long. Unfortunately, Miyazaki clearly wanted to show a lot of film, but there’s a point where the viewer will be bored. There is a chance you might check your phone once in a while. Another issue with the film is the undeveloped secondary characters, something that happens frequently in animated films such as this. Usually those characters are there to provide laughs or help our hero on his journey, but they serve no other purpose. It’s hard to care for them when we learn nothing about them.
The acting is decent enough. Joseph Gordon-Levitt voices our hero Jiro, and does so with elegance. However I was always taken aback when Jiro talked and perhaps there was a better actor in the wings. Regardless, he does a fine job but he isn’t the reason you should see this movie.
This film is a beautiful piece of art from a master in his craft. This is his swan song, and he leaves us with a great work. There are certain things that could have been worked differently, but his passion for this project and attention to detail has not gone unnoticed.
If you like anime or animation or good stories, watch The Wind Rises. Otherwise, skip this one, but be sure to see Spirited Away. It his arguably his best film and one of the best animated films of all time. The Wind Rises reached my expectations, but never surpassed them. That being said, my expectations were very high and it hit them, which is quite a feat. Congratulations to Mr. Miyazaki and his very long and incredible career. Your retirement is a sad day in film, but an understandable one. Your legacy will forever remain as one of the greatest visionary and creative directors of all time.
Rating: 8.5/10
