Language(s) Watched: Japanese with English subtitles; English Dub
Licensed? (As of this entry): YES
Licensed? (As of this entry): YES
Genre(s): Comedy, Family, Science Fiction, Action
Overall Impression: It was a very refreshing movie. I highly recommend it!
SPOILER ALERT WARNING!!
This
review will contain some spoilers -- or rather, there will be a
"Spoilers" section at the end of the review to go into further detail
about certain things. There may still be slight spoilers throughout the
review, but I've tried my best to keep them at a minimum.
PERSONAL STANDING (Pre-exposures, thoughts, etc.)
I actually knew almost nothing about this title. It was on sale about 3-4 years ago during Rightstuf's Holiday Sale, and I bought it after reading a brief synopsis and seeing the generally high ratings on Anime News Network. I don't know -- sometimes that's all it takes for me to decide to take the plunge and try something new. One amusing thing is that the synopsis I remember reading on Anime News Network all those years ago was very different from the actual movie. I... probably read the synopsis to another anime and thought it was for Summer Wars, haha.
STORY
In Summer Wars, Kenji Koiso agrees to help Natsuki Shinohara as Natsuki's relatives gather from all over to celebrate Great-Grandmother's 90th birthday. While there, disaster strikes as the online social network Oz is hacked into, interfering with their celebration plans, and ultimately, endangering the world. More happens, but I will leave it at that. I'll just say that the story, while not what I was expecting, was engaging and interesting.
Oz is the online world in Summer Wars. I think if such a place existed in real life, I'd probably end up spending a good chunk of my time on there. Besides being able to customize your avatar in what looks like to be a thousand different ways and having access to so much information and services, the idea that any language could be instantly translated to your language -- breaking down what I think is one of the largest communication barriers -- is soo cool.
THE WORLD OF OZ
Welcome to Oz!
Oz is the online world in Summer Wars. I think if such a place existed in real life, I'd probably end up spending a good chunk of my time on there. Besides being able to customize your avatar in what looks like to be a thousand different ways and having access to so much information and services, the idea that any language could be instantly translated to your language -- breaking down what I think is one of the largest communication barriers -- is soo cool.
Showcasing some of the customization options for an avatar in Oz.
ITS REFRESHING TONE
To me, Summer Wars was very refreshing. I think it's due to the overall plot, the characters, and the general lightness in the movie. Even during the hard moments, I still had this small feeling that things will still be okay (I will mention why I feel that in the "Spoilers" section). Also to me, there was this subtlety in character expressions and reactions that felt very genuine. When they were sad or happy, I really felt it. I don't know if I am explaining this properly. It's like... I just felt this light, calm, freeing sensation when watching the movie.
PACING
The first time I watched Summer Wars, I thought the pacing was a bit slow. When I watched it for a second time, I thought the pacing was good. Something is always happening in there.
ANIMATION
I just have to say that the animation is great. The action sequences are so fluid and the little touches to a character's expression (like when a character blushes) are really nice.
CHARACTERS
There are a ton of characters in Summer Wars, the main main ones being Kenji, Natsuki, Sakae (the Great-Grandmother), Sakuma (Kenji's friend), and Kazuma (Natsuki's relative). While not every character gets super-developed, many have their own distinct flair and are generally likeable. I think most of the movie's charm comes from the characters interacting with each other because they are different and carry their own opinions and values.
MUSIC
I love the music in Summer Wars. It's a mix of traditional-sounding symphonic pieces, slow piano, and techno, industrial-feeling numbers. All the tracks did a very good job at enhancing the emotion / atmosphere for their respective scene.
Below are a couple of tracks that I really, really like. I've also listed a couple more tracks in the "Spoilers" section.
Below are a couple of tracks that I really, really like. I've also listed a couple more tracks in the "Spoilers" section.
"King Kazma"
I really like the first 43 seconds.
"Everyone's Courage"
It's so beautiful.
JAPANESE / ENGLISH DUBBING
I think both the Japanese dubbing and English dubbing are done well. So... feel free to choose whichever dubbing you prefer -- either choice should be satisfactory.
SUMMER WARS AND THE MANGA
I
actually haven't read the manga, so I can't comment on this. I'm just
leaving this as a placeholder until I do (if I ever get the chance!).
BLU-RAY EXTRA CONTENT
There were some extra content on the Blu-Ray version. It's most likely on the DVD version as well, but I can't say for sure.I am going to say as a blanket statement that the interviews with the voice actors were interesting. They are short enough to check out and all the interviews are English subtitled. One really neat thing was that they showed many clips of the voice actors actually working so you get to see their working environment and what they saw on-screen while delivering their lines. I really liked seeing the clips where almost all the voice actors were present to voice a scene with all the family members. Sooo many people in one room, hahaha.
I have no comments about the Trailers and TV spots.
Interview with Ryunosuke Kamiki (Kenji Koiso) (6 mins) -- He gets pretty animated when voice-acting.
Interview with Nanami Sakuraba (Natsuki Shinohara) (2 mins) -- This was Nanami's first time voice-acting.
Interview with Mitsuki Tanimura (Kazuma Ikezawa) (5 mins) -- I didn't know that Kazuma was voiced by a female, though I am not surprised.
Interview with Ayumu Saito (Wabisuke Jinnouchi) (3 mins) -- This was Ayumu's first time voice-acting, and he was asked to do it.
Interview with Sumiko Fuji (Sakae Jinnouchi [Grandma]) (5.5 mins) -- It was neat when Sumiko spoke about the differences in delivering lines when voice-acting and delivering lines when live-acting.
Interview with Mamoru Hosada (Director) (13 mins) -- This interview was okay. The first half was about film festivals, and the second half was a light comparison between his previous work, The Girl Who Leapt Through Time, and Summer Wars.
Teaser Trailer (1.5 mins)
Teaser TV Spot (0.5 mins)
Original Trailer (2 mins)
Original TV Spots (2 mins)
CLOSING THOUGHTS
Summer Wars is a really lovely movie. If you are looking for something light and refreshing, watch this, hahaha. I just gotta say -- for the longest time, I've wanted to learn how to play Hanafuda. After watching Summer Wars, I really wanted to learn! And just for fun, I'll list some touching moments in the "Spoilers" section.
Thanks for reading! If you want some more input about something I didn't cover, feel free to ask. :)
So I'll do the scrolly thing and the "Spoilers" section will appear after that. Then I'll add some more scrolly things after the "Spoilers" section in case anybody wants to comment, but not see the spoilers.
I probably didn't have to put this in the "Spoilers" section but I'd rather you watch the movie and come to your own conclusions first. Even during the hard moments, I still had this small feeling that things will still be okay... because the characters are there for each other. This theme of family unity and support -- of being there for each other -- I really like it. I kinda think this is also why I think Summer Wars is refreshing. I don't remember watching any other anime that focused so much on the strong bond of family.
-When Sakae passed away and Natsuki was asking Kenji to help make the tears go away.
-When Natsuki was facing Love Machine and wagered her family.
-When Natsuki was down to 74 accounts against Love Machine and then a random German user offered his account, which led to millions of users all around the world offering their accounts. Just the idea of strangers putting their faith and trust in somebody else and the idea of global unity -- it really gets to me. :')
That's it for the spoilers. Thanks again for reading and feel free to comment :D
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Thanks for reading! If you want some more input about something I didn't cover, feel free to ask. :)
So I'll do the scrolly thing and the "Spoilers" section will appear after that. Then I'll add some more scrolly things after the "Spoilers" section in case anybody wants to comment, but not see the spoilers.
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SPOILERS
Even during the hard moments, I still had this small feeling that things will still be okay.
I probably didn't have to put this in the "Spoilers" section but I'd rather you watch the movie and come to your own conclusions first. Even during the hard moments, I still had this small feeling that things will still be okay... because the characters are there for each other. This theme of family unity and support -- of being there for each other -- I really like it. I kinda think this is also why I think Summer Wars is refreshing. I don't remember watching any other anime that focused so much on the strong bond of family.
I've also listed a couple more tracks.
I put these tracks here because I'd rather you hear these tracks as they were incorporated in the movie first. I think hearing it before watching the movie could take away from the track's impact on the scene.
"150 Million Miracles"
This is so nice. Sooo uplifting.
"Bokura no Natsu no Yume" by Tatsuro Yamashita
This is the ending theme, and _yes_ I think it's best to hear
this track first where it's placed in the movie (at the end, hahaha).
I love this song so much. After watching the movie I went online and
this track first where it's placed in the movie (at the end, hahaha).
I love this song so much. After watching the movie I went online and
ordered the CD single. I want to try karaoking to this!! <3
And just for fun, I'll list some touching moments.
-When Sakae passed away and Natsuki was asking Kenji to help make the tears go away.
-When Natsuki was facing Love Machine and wagered her family.
-When Natsuki was down to 74 accounts against Love Machine and then a random German user offered his account, which led to millions of users all around the world offering their accounts. Just the idea of strangers putting their faith and trust in somebody else and the idea of global unity -- it really gets to me. :')
That's it for the spoilers. Thanks again for reading and feel free to comment :D
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