beaconsfield, Local Online News Community, Forums, Chats, For Sale, Classified, Offers, Film Reviews, Events, Motors Sale, Property For Sale Rent, Jobs, Hotels, Taxi, Restaurants, Pubs, Clubs, Pictures, Sports, Charities, Lost Found
  1. Published on: 20/04/2018 10:18 AMReported by: Film Critic
    Plot: A girl's discovery of a strange flower, cat and broomstick leads her to a journey to a mysterious and magical college with a dark agenda.

    Japanese animation studio 'Studio Ghibli' is special to many people. For the last 30 years or so, they have given us some of the most amazing animation films of all-time.

    Sadly, with many of long-serving film-makers including Hayao Miyazaki retiring, the studio is currently in a re-building state and have announced a couple of new possible projects.

    But in the meantime, a few former workers have made a studio of their own called 'Studio Ponoc'. This first feature of theirs certainly had that Ghibli look to it when I saw some its images, and the story felt fantasy-heavy which is what made Ghibli so successful with many demographics around the world.

    From the first frame, the animation is already as visually captivating as Ghibli's. I will never get tired of films that look this beautiful.

    As for the story, I was seeing some similarities with many previous films from Ghibli as well as other fantasy films such as Harry Potter or The Golden Compass. That left me at a bit of a crossroads, because due to the lack of creative writing and character development, I was battling with the strengths of the visuals and satisfactory nature of the plot to see where I would rate this feature.

    As well as the animation, another notable strengths was the score. It was very noticeable and had many strong moments when enhancing certain set-pieces. It had a recognisable themes that was used in various ways throughout the film.

    I could relate this strengths with its animation, but the level of imagination in its world building and character design was great to watch.

    Sadly, there were parts of this world where I was getting confused with some of its rules. They almost seemed either to contradict themselves or just make it up as they go along for dramatic purposes.

    So to summarise, while the animation and visuals is as strong and striking in its detail as you would expect, the story and characters is inferior. There's nothing wrong with it, it just felt safe, satisfactory and it just did not made me care much for any characters. Also, the title character did not seem to learn that much or make much decision for themselves.

    It almost felt like a greatest hits compilation of Ghibli's back catalogue. I noticed various scenes, character designs or ideas that felt like they had leapt out of previous Ghibli film. Also, the Harry Potter and even The Golden Compass comparisons were almost too much for me, and it started to not be its own thing.

    I think the better story came from the opening scene. It seemed to be a the end of one story that leads us to the beginning of the story of this film. Now after seeing it, I think I would have rather seen the whole of that previous story from the opening scene, and that seemed it would be more impactful and long-lasting.

    There is some magic in here from Studio Ponoc's debut. It's just not fully-fledged yet.

    Rating: 7/10
     

  2. Your Comments:



You are in: UK / Beaconsfield / South East
Find any Town in the UK, or Use UK map
Local Google MAP for Beaconsfield



User Control Panel

Not a Member? Sign Up!

Login or Register


Film Reviews, Last Cinema Movies, Movies, DVDs
beaconsfieldbeaconsfield News


Stats: Qlocal over 500,000 page views a month (google analytics)
beaconsfield Bathroom Suppliesbeaconsfield Bathroom Tapsbeaconsfield Bathroom Furniturebeaconsfield Bathroom Showersbeaconsfield Shower Enclosuresbeaconsfield Bathsbeaconsfield L Shaped Bathbeaconsfield P Shaped Bathbeaconsfield Wet Roomsbeaconsfield Bath Screensbeaconsfield Bath Mixer Tapbeaconsfield Bidet Tapsbeaconsfield Toilet Seatsbeaconsfield Sanitarywarebeaconsfield Combined Toilet Basinbeaconsfield Stovesbeaconsfield Wood Stovesbeaconsfield Home Stovesbeaconsfield Cooker Stovesbeaconsfield Enamel Stovesbeaconsfield Designer Stovesbeaconsfield Contemporary Stovesbeaconsfield Multi Fuel Stovesbeaconsfield Accounts Softwarebeaconsfield Sage Softwarebeaconsfield Sage Line 50beaconsfield Sage Line 200beaconsfield Pegasus Accountsbeaconsfield Access Accountsbeaconsfield Car Servicingbeaconsfield MOTgbeaconsfield Tyresbeaconsfield Car Batterybeaconsfield Exhaustbeaconsfield Journalist Jobsbeaconsfield Reporter Jobsbeaconsfield Writing Jobsbeaconsfield Freelance Writerbeaconsfield Self Employed Jobsbeaconsfield Franchise Businessbeaconsfield Franchise Opportunitiesbeaconsfield Driving Schoolsbeaconsfield Driving Lessonsbeaconsfield Driving Testbeaconsfield Driving Theory Testbeaconsfield Driving Instruction, 0000 beaconsfield Driving Instructor, 0000 beaconsfield Insolvencybeaconsfield Insolvency Servicebeaconsfield Insolvency Servicesbeaconsfield Liquidation Servicebeaconsfield Business Recoverybeaconsfield Insolvency Practitionerbeaconsfield Bankruptcy Servicebeaconsfield Winding Up Petitionbeaconsfield Business Financebeaconsfield Business Recoverybeaconsfield Voluntary Arrangementbeaconsfield Individual Voluntary Arrangementbeaconsfield IVAbeaconsfield Debt Advicebeaconsfield Debt Managementbeaconsfield Company Administrationbeaconsfield Administrationbeaconsfield Corporate Recoverybeaconsfield Corporate Voluntary Arrangementbeaconsfield CVAbeaconsfield Corporate Insolvencybeaconsfield Corporate Liquidationbeaconsfield Members Voluntary Liquidationbeaconsfield MVLbeaconsfield Partnership Voluntary Arrangementbeaconsfield PVAbeaconsfield Tax Demandbeaconsfield Invoice Financebeaconsfield Bridging Financebeaconsfield Vouchersbeaconsfield Dealsbeaconsfield Matalanbeaconsfield Firewoodbeaconsfield Fire Woodbeaconsfield Kiln Dried Hardwoodbeaconsfield Logs For Salebeaconsfield Log Suppliesbeaconsfield Logsbeaconsfield Firewood Logsbeaconsfield Seasoned Logsbeaconsfield Hardwood Logsbeaconsfield Firewood Suppliersbeaconsfield Firewood Log Suppliersbeaconsfield Firewood Dumpy Bagsbeaconsfield Firewood Cratesbeaconsfield Cheap Firewoodbeaconsfield Homefire Logsbeaconsfield Cheap Firewood Logsbeaconsfield Kindle Conesbeaconsfield Pizza Oven Logsbeaconsfield Heating Oilbeaconsfield Home Heating Oilbeaconsfield Red Dieselbeaconsfield White Dieselbeaconsfield Keresenebeaconsfield Commercial Fuelsbeaconsfield Calor Gasbeaconsfield Propane Gasbeaconsfield Butane Gasbeaconsfield Heating Gasbeaconsfield Horse Trainingbeaconsfield Horse Trainerbeaconsfield Horse Whispererbeaconsfield Equine Whispererbeaconsfield Horse Whisperer Victoria Smithbeaconsfield Rattan Garden Furniturebeaconsfield Rattan Furniturebeaconsfield Rattan Sofabeaconsfield Rattan Dining Setbeaconsfield Rattan Directbeaconsfield Cheap Rattan Furniturebeaconsfield Rattan Corner Sofasbeaconsfield Rattan Day Bedsbeaconsfield Rattan Sun Loungersbeaconsfield Rattan Cube Setsbeaconsfield Rattan Bistro Setsbeaconsfield Chimeneasbeaconsfield Firepitsbeaconsfield Patio Heatersbeaconsfield Card Payments Processingbeaconsfield Credit Card Processingbeaconsfield Merchant Servicesbeaconsfield Merchant Accountbeaconsfield Merchant Paymentsbeaconsfield Card Machinesbeaconsfield Card Terminalsbeaconsfield Online Paymentsbeaconsfield Worldpaybeaconsfield Bouncy Castlesbeaconsfield Bouncy Castle Hirebeaconsfield Garden Trampolinesbeaconsfield Pramsbeaconsfield Pushchairsbeaconsfield Strollersbeaconsfield Hauck Pramsbeaconsfield Huackbeaconsfield Childrens Trampolinesbeaconsfield Baby Mobilesbeaconsfield Baby Activity Matsbeaconsfield Baby Bedroom Furniturebeaconsfield Childrens Bedroom Furniturebeaconsfield Hygiene Vendingbeaconsfield Washroom Vendingbeaconsfield Air Freshenersbeaconsfield Air Carebeaconsfield Aerosol Systemsbeaconsfield Gel Systemsbeaconsfield Water Savingbeaconsfield Urinal Water Savingbeaconsfield Eco Capsbeaconsfield Sensaflushbeaconsfield Water Managementbeaconsfield Urinal Dosingbeaconsfield Urinal V Screensbeaconsfield Legionella Risk Assessmentbeaconsfield Legionaires Bacterialbeaconsfield Odour Controlbeaconsfield Odour Eliminationbeaconsfield Odour Removalbeaconsfield Airsterilbeaconsfield Hand Carebeaconsfield Hand Creambeaconsfield Hand Soapbeaconsfield Hand Washingbeaconsfield Hand Dryingbeaconsfield Hand Dryersbeaconsfield Electric Hand Dryersbeaconsfield Fast Hand Dryersbeaconsfield Commercial Hand Dryersbeaconsfield Energy Efficient Hand Dryersbeaconsfield Hand Dryer Rentalbeaconsfield Hand Dryer Salesbeaconsfield Paper Towelsbeaconsfield Roller Towelsbeaconsfield Cotton Roller Towelsbeaconsfield Blue Roller Towelsbeaconsfield White Roller Towelsbeaconsfield Janitorial Suppliesbeaconsfield Janitorialbeaconsfield Cleaning Suppliesbeaconsfield Cleaning Productsbeaconsfield Cleaning Equipmentbeaconsfield Office Cleaningbeaconsfield Home Cleaningbeaconsfield Debt Recovery Servicesbeaconsfield Debt Recoverybeaconsfield Debt Collectionbeaconsfield Outsource Credit Controlbeaconsfield Collection Agencybeaconsfield Debt Collection Agencybeaconsfield Commercial Canopybeaconsfield Steel Canopybeaconsfield Bike Shedsbeaconsfield Bike Storagebeaconsfield Bicycle Storebeaconsfield Bicycle Storagebeaconsfield Bikes Storebeaconsfield Bike Storebeaconsfield Outdoor Canopybeaconsfield Cycle Sheltersbeaconsfield Cycle Shedbeaconsfield Cycle Storagebeaconsfield Cycle Rackbeaconsfield Cycle Compoundbeaconsfield Cycle Solutionsbeaconsfield Scooter Storagebeaconsfield Scooter Shelterbeaconsfield Canopiesbeaconsfield Canopybeaconsfield Play Area Canopybeaconsfield Entrance Canopiesbeaconsfield Entrance Canopybeaconsfield Waiting Shelterbeaconsfield Smoking Shelterbeaconsfield Parent Waiting Shelterbeaconsfield Parent Shelterbeaconsfield Teen Shelterbeaconsfield Nursery Canopybeaconsfield School Canopybeaconsfield Play Canopybeaconsfield Envirolawnbeaconsfield Astroturfbeaconsfield Cheap Astroturfbeaconsfield Artificial Grassbeaconsfield Cheap Artificial Grassbeaconsfield Astro Turfbeaconsfield Artificial Lawnbeaconsfield Fake Grassbeaconsfield Fake Lawnbeaconsfield Fire Stove Glassbeaconsfield Heat Resistant Glassbeaconsfield Fire Glassbeaconsfield Stove Glassbeaconsfield Fire Resistant Glassbeaconsfield Replacement Stove Glassbeaconsfield Glass For Stovesbeaconsfield Spill Kitsbeaconsfield Spill Control Kitsbeaconsfield Spill Kit Refillsbeaconsfield Spill Kit Refill GK6beaconsfield Chemical Spill Kitsbeaconsfield Oil Spill Kitsbeaconsfield Solar Panelsbeaconsfield Solar Panels Costbeaconsfield Solar Heatingbeaconsfield Solar PVbeaconsfield Commercial Solarbeaconsfield Photovoltaicbeaconsfield Dust Matsbeaconsfield Entrance Matsbeaconsfield Reception Matsbeaconsfield Anti Fatigue Matsbeaconsfield Floor Matsbeaconsfield Logo Matsbeaconsfield Washroom Servicesbeaconsfield Principal Washroomsbeaconsfield Washrooms Suppliesbeaconsfield Washrooms Solutionsbeaconsfield Sanitary Disposalbeaconsfield Sanitary Binsbeaconsfield Sani Binsbeaconsfield Lady Binsbeaconsfield Feminine Hygiene Unitsbeaconsfield Sanitary Waste Disposalbeaconsfield Sanitary Wastebeaconsfield Sanitary Unitsbeaconsfield Feminine Unitsbeaconsfield Hygiene Servicesbeaconsfield Sanitary Bin Supplierbeaconsfield Sanitary Bin Rentalbeaconsfield Sanitary Bin Rental Servicesbeaconsfield General Wastebeaconsfield Trade Wastebeaconsfield Commercial Wastebeaconsfield Business Wastebeaconsfield Waste Managementbeaconsfield Waste Collectionbeaconsfield Cardboard Wastebeaconsfield Paper Wastebeaconsfield Plastic Wastebeaconsfield Glass Wastebeaconsfield Biomass Wastebeaconsfield Metal Wastebeaconsfield Confidential Wastebeaconsfield Confidential Waste Servicebeaconsfield On Site Shreddingbeaconsfield Off Site Shreddingbeaconsfield One Off Shreddingbeaconsfield Contract Shreddingbeaconsfield Dental Wastebeaconsfield Dental Waste Disposalbeaconsfield Dental Waste Legislationbeaconsfield Dental Waste Compliancebeaconsfield Accupuncture Wastebeaconsfield Accupuncture Waste Disposalbeaconsfield Accupuncture Waste Collectionbeaconsfield Tattoo Wastebeaconsfield Tattoo Waste Disposalbeaconsfield Sharps Binbeaconsfield Sharps Collectionbeaconsfield Hazardous Sharpsbeaconsfield Non Hazardous Sharpsbeaconsfield Cytotoxic Sharpsbeaconsfield Cytostatic Sharpsbeaconsfield Ink Blockbeaconsfield Wet_Wastebeaconsfield Tattoo Inkbeaconsfield Drug Destructionbeaconsfield Drug Disposalbeaconsfield Drug Denaturingbeaconsfield Unwanted Drugsbeaconsfield Out Of Date Drugsbeaconsfield Pest Controlbeaconsfield Rodent Controlbeaconsfield Bird Controlbeaconsfield Bird Proofingbeaconsfield Guano Controlbeaconsfield Pest Call Outbeaconsfield Pest Preventionbeaconsfield Pest Deterrentbeaconsfield Nursery Wastebeaconsfield Nappy Wastebeaconsfield Nappy Binbeaconsfield Nappy Disposalbeaconsfield Nappy Wheelie Binbeaconsfield Nursery Waste Disposalbeaconsfield Nursery Waste Collectionbeaconsfield Incontinence Padsbeaconsfield Offensive Wastebeaconsfield Human Wastebeaconsfield Nursing Home Wastebeaconsfield Care Home Wastebeaconsfield Hazardous Wastebeaconsfield Infectous Wastebeaconsfield Pharmaceutical Wastebeaconsfield Medicinal Wastebeaconsfield Medicine Wastebeaconsfield Infection Controlbeaconsfield Hand Sanitisersbeaconsfield Clinical Waste Disposalbeaconsfield Clinical Waste Managementbeaconsfield Clinical Waste Policybeaconsfield EA Registrationbeaconsfield Hammocksbeaconsfield Garden Hammocksbeaconsfield Adult Hammocksbeaconsfield Childrens Hammocksbeaconsfield Baby Hammocks