The Boy and the Heron

⭐ 6/10

I continue to not understand Ghibli movies at all.  They are just one random scene after the other. I keep seeing articles celebrating the "dream logic" as if dreams aren't the dumbest things our minds produce. How about just normal logic for a change? 

I get how movie people can enjoy these, but I totally do not understand how these appeal to a wide audience. Honestly, this is one of the most perplexing things that I can't get my head around. Do people not care about understanding what they are seeing? This is pure imagination, purely sensory. There is nothing rationale going on at any point in these movies - and this one is the worst in this regard. I would get it if there was some niche interest, but I refuse to believe more than like 6 people appreciate this style. 

With all that said, I still strongly believe that Miyazaki is one of the most gifted creators to ever live. That style can't be understated. The new creatures are cool, the music, the mystery, the cool locations. Every five minutes, the scene is framed in a way that you know would make a sweet poster. Nobody else does it quite like him. I just wish he wanted his movies to make sense. Like, in very plain terms, I was not compelled by the main character or his motivations. 

I should have said from the start that I fell asleep for the last fifteen minutes, and I've heard that's where some things come together. But a) I believe that keeping me awake is partly the responsibility of the movie and b) fifteen minutes doesn't make up for two hours of nonsense. Still, I kinda wish I would have been awake for that as the themes of creation are things I often enjoy. 

But yeah, impossible for me to rate. I know in my heart of hearts that this is good art, and I wish I liked it. But my mind simply turns off after an hour of random images, so I have no context with which to judge this. Still, it was nice to look at and there's nice music.