Wistfull

Disjointed, poorly paced and badly animated, The Last Unicorn offers the viewer some beautiful backgrounds and little else. The film is filled with unsympathetic, inconsistent characters who never have a clear motivation for anything they do.

Since the creators wanted to include so many interminable, pointless songs you'd wish they at least hired capable singers to execute them.

To top it off, for no reason whatsoever there are some weirdly sexual scenes that I wouldn't wish to show to a child. Since the story isn't complicated enough to hold an adult's interest, I can't fathom who this film is meant for.

I expected some fairly dumb Disney-type film, but this one turned out to be a creative, original and surprisingly dark tale that openly criticizes corporate capitalism and the prison industry. Kudos!

The visuals are captivating and the use of colour and light to enhance them is simply beautiful. The character designs are great and memorable, as are the sets. Overall the film is a feast for eyes as well as the mind.

The story did feel slightly all over the place - maybe it should have been trimmed down somewhere so that other parts could have flourished better, or perhaps it could have been ten minutes longer to allow a bit more breathing room.

All in all, well worth watching!

This is an endlessly rewatchable film. Every year or two I get the same feeling: "should I watch Totoro again?" And every time it fills me with a warm, serene joy.

This is not a plot-driven thrill ride - it's scenes from a life as experienced by children. The feeling that comes accross is that of childhood, with its excitement and troubles. Endless days filled with pointless little things that feel oh-so-important, and every now and then a big thing that causes even bigger feelings.

And feelings seem to be the point of the film. It's not about story or character development, but getting to feel things alongside the characters. The sigh of contentment that Mei has over her perfect little lunchbox, the shriek of joy when she sees the first totoro, the soft calm of napping in the underground lair.

The real gift this film has given to its viewers is that little burst of joy they now feel every time raindrops drum their umbrellas. What better legacy for a film!