"The Wind Rises" a lovely celebration and coda to Miyazaki's career
"The Wind Rises" is the new Oscar-nominated Japanese animated film from legendary Japanese animator Hayao Miyazaki ("Ponyo," "Spirited Away") in what is likely his last film. The film, set in pre-war Japan and directed and written by Miyazaki and loosely based on a short story from the director, concerns a young boy named Jiro who dreams of being an aviator and grows up to be an aircraft engineer whose works impact some of the Japanese conflicts later on. "The Wind Rises" isn't Miyazaki's best but it is a sumptuous fantasy-adventure highlighted by some of the director's trademark non-linear dream sequences and lush palettes. Miyazaki has been called the Japanese version of Disney or Spielberg, and it's never more evident here in his story about the boy whose inventions have significant impact on society and his own life. Themes of the corruption of beauty and human loss are painstakingly and powerfully realized by Miyazaki and they will no doubt resonate with those affected by tragic losses, though the narrative, much like Miyazaki's tales, feels somewhat distant and depressing. Overall, it's an emotionally and visually satisfying film, and "The Wind Rises" is much deeper than just surface level beauty. The English dub, featuring voices from actors such as Joseph Gordon-Levitt and Emily Blunt, is unnecessary, and I'd stick with the original Japanese language version with subtitles. Nominated for the Oscar for Animated Film for 2013, this is a treat especially for Miyazaki fans.
Wes's Grade: B+
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