While it got a very positive reception, I must confess I did not enjoy Colorful very much. I personally found the main character to be very unlikeable and I didn't like its artstyle.
I did enjoy Summer Days with Coo, which had a certain Ghibli feel, but it was different enough to be its own thing.
Lonely Castle in the Mirror is the third movie by Keiichi Hara I have seen: My main interest to see this film was due its whimsical premise, reminiscent of many classic fairy tales and fantasy books for children (Such Alice Through the Looking Glass)
While I haven't read the book which served as inspiration for this movie, I must say I got mixed feelings about it: I can't deny it has its share of beautiful and genuinely emotional moments (Particularly during the last half-hour, which in my opinion completely saves the movie, unleashing all the contained emotion from all what was previously seen) but, at the same time, I found it a bit dull at moments, to the point I almost wanted to stop watching it after the first hour. Fortunately I didn't, but really, the first half of the movie hardly shows the real heart and potential from the story.
Against what I was expecting, this is not an adventure film. I mean, there is some adventure on its climatic act, but for most part, this is an slice of life anime with a small fantasy element: There is a magic mirror taking to another dimension and a magic castle, but for most part, the story focuses in the everyday lives of a group of troubled teens which had to deal with bullying and difficulties for socializing.
Anyone expecting a high fantasy adventure, or even something like Alice in Wonderland will be bitterly disappointed: The castle itself serves (for most part) as a shelter for the main characters, a place which helps them to connect with other people, not to live adventures.
Unfortunately, not much is done with the setting. Is just a generic castle. True, there is a magic room, and a search for a key, but said search doesn't take much importance until the final half hour.
Visually speaking, the movie is a bit disappointing, without any remarkable aspect in that regard. I understand creating a big spectacle is not the main intention here, but I cannot help but think the premise had enough potential for a more creative use of imagery.
Still, the emotional conclusion was more than enough to made this a worth-watching experience.
6.5/10.
2 out of 2 found this helpful