Review of The Wind Rises

"with the face like he's carrying the future of japanese aviation" (sleeps average) Kaze Tachinu is a solid 9. Proof that more modern Ghibli films have become very toned-down and safe compared to past films. And I don't mean that there is less amounts of questionable over-work, I mean that the newer digital films are playing more the safe side in the part of its story telling. Kaze Tachinu has the Ghibli touch, very apparent it's cleaner digital form, but sadly the story as well as the characters have trouble holding the same interest factor. Ghibli in the digital age has grown to only highlight the flaws morethan traditional animation. Where as past films could get away with blander characters and scenes through a higher production value, newer films reveal the lack of characters, the bland environments, and the mundane not for its good factors.

Just like all good things, even Ghiblis common staples have become to stick out, that it's more obvious when their production begins to show its wear and tear.

But enough rants about digital Ghibli, this was just a long way to say that this movie was a solid 9. It's okay. It's fine. It's nothing to cry about or make a huge fuss. In a way, that's sort of the problem. Kaze Tachinu aims to get away with a long narrative of a story rather than showing not telling. It's art style is masquerading the same wonder that traditional art has. It's characters, especially the main character is a weak actor even compared to more subtle films like Whisper of the Heart.

The entire film attempts to include dreamy scenes mixed with a "strong" poetic message in it's dialouge, but it's all so surface level when it's parred with a mundane execution of story telling. Yes, some scenes are amazing. Yes, some dialouge phrases are cool. No, it does not mean the movie as a whole has redemption.

The film goes for a realism approach, like moderns films like The Aviator, but sadly, there just isn't enough love in the story telling as much as it is just a "push the scene to the next, attempt to sprinkle some flare, and move on."

Which is a shame, because if you really wanted a good story, and one that has planes, then watch Porco Rosso.
If you want a good movie that's also realistic, you can watch Hotaru no Haka or Whisper of the Heart.
If you want to watch an actual poetic film, that's also light hearted, then watch Castle in the Sky.

But this ain't it. Sorry Ghibli. No one bats a 1000 and when it comes to digital, theres better movies they have made like even Ponyo lol.

This movie has all the right traits to be successful: the art budget, the story, the setting, but sadly it chose to be JUST okay, with JUST the usual tropes, with JUST the required amount of interest that after the first half the movie begins to show its plastic nails. Like, there were barely tears or emotion in the scenes that needed them.

Ironic that this is the film known for its profound one-liners. Sorry Ghibli, the ending line was wasted for this movie.
Miyazaki can blame disney, his own staff, his age, or anything else he wants. But the real responsibility is his own green light to want to make a casual digital film like this. Again, nothing really wrong with this film except that there's also nothing special either that makes Kaze Tachinu different than any other anime in the market.