Completely Blown Away

Rating: 10/10 (25 November 2009)

Almost one year ago, the father of my best friend passed away after an excruciatingly painful and horrid battle against pancreatic cancer. The misery within their family during and after this tragedy was astounding. I tried with all my might to bring some light into the darkness there, and by showing them this movie I actually managed to do that. Watching this movie made them laugh, made them gasp in awe and cry out in joy and appreciation, something I hadn't seen them doing in a long, long time. It actually managed to lift some of their misery. Any movie capable of achieving something like this is worth a 10 in my book.
As for myself, as the title says, I was deeply moved by the film and it's soundtrack when I saw it for the first time. It was recommended to me by a friend and I had no idea what to expect. Needless to say this movie has firmly pointed me towards the spectacular work of Studio Ghibli and their master animator, Hayao Myazaki.
Much has been said about this movie, and I'll say it again. I find it one of the most spectacular pieces of animation and sound ever created, equaling and surpassing the finest work of Walt Disney himself and Pixar studios. The characters are round and charming, the storyline is complex and involving, and the imagery is from the highest echelon of what current Japanese animation has to offer. Furthermore, the movie has brilliant sound editing and a masterful soundtrack, which by itself is almost compulsory to listen to for any serious movie music lover.
If you love animation movies, you simply cannot let this movie pass you by. If you're a movie lover in general, you also cannot let it go by. Go see or buy this movie. You will not be disappointed.