The art style is gorgeous and the direction is very good.
[P. S ART AND ANIMATION AREN'T THE SAME THING. JUST BECAUSE A MUSEUM PAINTING IS BEAUTIFUL DOESN'T MEAN IT'LL MAGICALLY BE APPEALING WHEN ANIMATED. ANIMATION IS A SEPARATE SKILL WITH IT'S OWN PERKS]
However, the animation, pacing and plot have serious issues. There seems to be no hook in the story- even if the animation is used really creatively, the story is so bland it makes it feel like a hard to relate art film. The animation (Unlike what most seem to say about this film) is the biggest drawback. The art is good; however, the movement and the way that the world is brought to life is missing. The movie is hard to watch without fluid animation. I hate the character models as they used too much smudge tool or something- It looks cheap and it gives a dull colour. Unlike the characters, the art in the background has so much colour and vibrancy because they have little unnecessary smudge. Even though there's a lot of movement in the background, it feels very unnatural. The animation lands right in the uncanny valley- it's not to static like a photo but it's not as fluid as live action. There are minor issues with proportion. However, the transitions flow nicely, as aforementioned the movie is well directed.
Coming to the pacing, the movie has the same energy as a boring Saturday afternoon. Generally, good movies tend to balance out the relaxed pace with more action or suspense. However, this movie never gets to the point in the beginning, so it automatically becomes a niche watch. The story isn't bad (Despite what some people believe); however, the pacing is atrocious, absolutely abhorrent and a ginormous pain. I couldn't watch the whole thing- it feels too much like an academic film. There's no gripping sequences, and the few that are there are too anti-climactic- the film whole relies on the awe factor of the art. There is no point of having the best art if the animation is going to drag it to hell.
The characters were decent. Since the film takes so much time showering you with the characters, the audience should take a liking to them. Still, the character struggle of the "hero" is pretty well-defined. Though, I didn't religiously watch the film because it was so boring. It's nice telling realistic stories but it's a movie- so even if there are dream sequences, the plot is still so boring.
In conclusion, there is flesh and organs to this movie. Though the bones and blood are not present. The art and story are decent. Though the animation and pacing are worse than Chhota Bheem, I can sit through 3 hours of Chhota Bheem because it has decent pacing and (debatable) animation. However, this movie is so lacking these essential elements. That's why a 3 on 10 is the best rating I'd award this film. If this film was redone in a better way then I'd probably give it an 8 on 10. However, a body with no bones doesn't move. So, this movie shall stay unmoving and boring.
