Reviews

Japanese master animation studio Studio Ghibli presents a fabulous fantasy with grand visuals and a complex story about the personal growth of a spoiled boy. The protagonist, a 10 year old boy named Mahito is moved to the countryside during WW2 by his wealthy father who has relocated a factory making airplane parts to avoid bombing and upon arrival meets his new stepmother. His wealth sets him apart for the other children and he ends up journeying to an alternative universe and sets out on a journey of personal growth where he learns to accept others needs while not having his own choices dictated by adults. Parents should be aware the movie is made for a Japanese audience who digest media in a different way to most Hollywood audiences and contains some intense fantasy scenes and scary monsters that are typical in Studio Ghibli movies. As its set in the 1940s, almost all the adult characters will smoke. The plot resolution isn't spelt out, so children (and some adults) might not have a full grasp of the meaning of the ending.