After watching the behind-the-scenes artist recap (something I just came up with to somewhat describe what I watched), I now realize what this short "film" is. It's an animation equivalent to the first successful test of the first airplane, built and tested by Orville and Wilbur Wright. That plane, compared to modern aircraft, was a complete failure. But as we all know today, it was quite the opposite. It's flight only lasted 12 seconds and covered only 120 feet; but during that short time, it gave mankind a glimpse into the endless possibilities of air travel that we now enjoy as commonplace.
Without going too far into a rant, I'll explain why I brought that up.
This was apparently the first ever successful 4K, hand drawn and animated, anime ever made. It is a milestone in animation. While I could agree that some sort of plot would have made this short flex-of-a-film much more enjoyable (hence the 8 star review), it was not necessary, nor would it help further accomplish the goal of the creators.
Sol Levante is a first ever test of the possibilities of 4K animation. To prove my point, please pause at any point in this short film (specifically the more intense scenes). You'll notice that each frame is an individual work of art; it is a moving tapestry of hard work by the visionary artists who conceptualized it.
I've tried and failed to think of any other animation that has had such a successful attempt at this level of quality animation.
The studio that created this is essentially saying, "Look at us. Look at what we can do. Now watch us do even better."
I very much look forward to studios like this one further push the boundaries of animation and it's expressive art form to achieve their own equivalent as modern day Wright Brothers. It is a technological advancement as well as an artistic innovation.
Sol Levante is a mostly successful, first ever attempt at the possibilities of animation.
Appreciate it for what it is: a work of art.
