YOUR NAME 3 stars Voices of Ryunosuke Kamiki, Mone Kamishiraishi, Ryo Narita; PG (thematic elements suggestive content, brief language and smoking); in general release
It would be easy to dismiss a contemporary film that uses the age-old body switch formula, which feels like its been around forever. But writer/director Makoto Shinkais Your Name enhances the concept, then tacks on a strange time travel twist that, while challenging to follow, results in a memorable piece of Japanese animation.
In this case, the switchees are Mitsuha Miyamizu (Mone Kamishiraishi) and Taki Tachibana (Rynosuke Kamiki), a pair of teenagers in modern Japan. Unlike most of the protagonists in these kinds of movies, Mitsuha and Taki dont know each other. In fact, at first they assume their body-swapping encounters are just really strange dreams. But eventually, the humble girl from the small village of Itomori and the big-city boy from Tokyo realize that whenever they go to sleep, they are waking up in the life of a real live human being of the opposite gender.
Their reaction to this gender switch the teens are understandably shocked by their new body parts is just one reason parents might want to consider reserving this PG-rated film for their older children. Another reason is that its a serious challenge to follow.
Once Mitsuha and Taki understand what is happening even if they dont understand why they begin using each others smartphones to communicate, logging notes and messages to explain what they did each day in the other persons body. As a result, Taki discovers an appreciation for the spiritual culture of Mitsuhas family out in Itomori, and Mitsuha helps to foster a relationship with Takis co-worker crush Miki Okudera (Masami Nagasawa).
Shortly after Taki goes on his first date with Miki, though a disaster since the poor shy boy is in his own body and unable to rely on Mitsuhas female savvy the body switches stop. Taki decides to track down Mitsuha, but when he finally makes it to her village, he realizes that while his communication with Mitsuha felt immediate, everything that happened in her body actually took place three years ago.
To explain more would be to give away too much of the plot, which, while complicated, is pretty fascinating. Suffice it to say, at this point Your Names body switch plot suddenly becomes something of a time traveling science fiction drama, complete with pop music interludes.
As mentioned earlier, the story can be a challenge to follow, and English-speaking audiences would be well-advised to opt for the dubbed presentation of the film (the fact that certain subtitles actually appear at the top of the screen further complicates matters). But Your Name is a challenge worth tackling, with a sweet and surprisingly romantic third act that feels fresh and original.
Your Name is a remarkably bland title for a pretty interesting movie, but Shinkais effort based on his own original novel is a curious blend of two complex genres that elevates both. It also features some strong animation, enhanced in certain scenes beyond its traditional cell style.
Your Name is presented both in dubbed English and in Japanese with English subtitles. Though it only drew a PG rating, it would be best-suited for older children and adults.
Your Name is rated PG for thematic elements, suggestive content, brief langauge and smoking; running time: 106 minutes.
It would be easy to dismiss a contemporary film that uses the age-old body switch formula, which feels like its been around forever. But writer/director Makoto Shinkais Your Name enhances the concept, then tacks on a strange time travel twist that, while challenging to follow, results in a memorable piece of Japanese animation.
In this case, the switchees are Mitsuha Miyamizu (Mone Kamishiraishi) and Taki Tachibana (Rynosuke Kamiki), a pair of teenagers in modern Japan. Unlike most of the protagonists in these kinds of movies, Mitsuha and Taki dont know each other. In fact, at first they assume their body-swapping encounters are just really strange dreams. But eventually, the humble girl from the small village of Itomori and the big-city boy from Tokyo realize that whenever they go to sleep, they are waking up in the life of a real live human being of the opposite gender.
Their reaction to this gender switch the teens are understandably shocked by their new body parts is just one reason parents might want to consider reserving this PG-rated film for their older children. Another reason is that its a serious challenge to follow.
Once Mitsuha and Taki understand what is happening even if they dont understand why they begin using each others smartphones to communicate, logging notes and messages to explain what they did each day in the other persons body. As a result, Taki discovers an appreciation for the spiritual culture of Mitsuhas family out in Itomori, and Mitsuha helps to foster a relationship with Takis co-worker crush Miki Okudera (Masami Nagasawa).
Shortly after Taki goes on his first date with Miki, though a disaster since the poor shy boy is in his own body and unable to rely on Mitsuhas female savvy the body switches stop. Taki decides to track down Mitsuha, but when he finally makes it to her village, he realizes that while his communication with Mitsuha felt immediate, everything that happened in her body actually took place three years ago.
To explain more would be to give away too much of the plot, which, while complicated, is pretty fascinating. Suffice it to say, at this point Your Names body switch plot suddenly becomes something of a time traveling science fiction drama, complete with pop music interludes.
As mentioned earlier, the story can be a challenge to follow, and English-speaking audiences would be well-advised to opt for the dubbed presentation of the film (the fact that certain subtitles actually appear at the top of the screen further complicates matters). But Your Name is a challenge worth tackling, with a sweet and surprisingly romantic third act that feels fresh and original.
Your Name is a remarkably bland title for a pretty interesting movie, but Shinkais effort based on his own original novel is a curious blend of two complex genres that elevates both. It also features some strong animation, enhanced in certain scenes beyond its traditional cell style.
Your Name is presented both in dubbed English and in Japanese with English subtitles. Though it only drew a PG rating, it would be best-suited for older children and adults.
Your Name is rated PG for thematic elements, suggestive content, brief langauge and smoking; running time: 106 minutes.