Movie No. 43 (2015): THE WIND RISES

The Wind Rises (2014)
Director: Hayao Miyazaki
In Japanese, with English subtitles

Disney makes animated film for children. Studio Ghibli has a share of such kind of films, though, but it has a longer filmography of animated films that are not necessarily for children. Hayao Miyazaki's The Wind Rises, though not made for children, is something that children can enjoy, too.

The Wind Rises is Jiro Horikoshi's love affair with airplanes as well his romantic love story with a terminally ill girl. His fascination with airplanes makes him eventually become aeronautical engineer who designs fighter planes (because he can't be a pilot due to nearsightedness). It's interesting to note that his nearsightedness is used as a metaphor to his character, which is the basis of practically all his actions and decisions. 

As what is expected from a Studio Ghibli movie, particularly one that is either produced or directed by Miyazaki, every scene is pleasant to eye, like viewing a water color painting. The script is almost flawless. The direction is inspired.

Simply magnificent.

Rating: 4.0/4.0

Date seen: August 21, 2015