Review of Suzume

The recent works of Makoto Shinkai can be described with two words: mediocre and conformist. He continues to recycle the same formulas that brought him success with Your Name, to the point where it seems he believes he cannot achieve success without creating something strikingly similar to his most notable work. In this film, he consistently reuses the fundamental elements from Your Name, merely placing them in a slightly different context with characters who, at their core, remain remarkably similar. In this regard, it can be argued, not just based on Your Name but also on his earlier works, that he appears incapable of creating distincttypes of characters. Nearly all his characters exhibit similar behaviors, conform to the same stereotypes, and engage in romantic and personal relationships that are virtually identical in nature.

More specifically, the characters in this story feel particularly shallow. Secondary characters often act in ways that are blatantly convenient, serving only to advance the plot or benefit the protagonists and their relationship. Certain characters even completely abandon their initial goals or beliefs to achieve this purpose, creating a rather cheap and forced sense of drama in the process. Furthermore, the animistic or pantheistic portrayal of nature as a major source of trouble, a recurring theme in Shinkai's works, feels overused and, at this point, renders his narratives bland and lacking in depth. The same can also be said about his tendency to incorporate time-travel elements into his works, even if they make little or no sense in the context of the story presented (something that happens in Suzume).

That said, the film offers an odd viewing experience. Despite its flaws, it can occasionally be entertaining, though at other times it feels overly long and quite childish. However, as with all Makoto Shinkai films, the visual and musical aspects are impeccable (almost hypnotic, I’d say) featuring beautiful, fluid designs for the world and its characters.

In conclusion, although I did not enjoy the film and believe it could have been much better, I can understand why some people might find it appealing. I might recommend it to someone with two hours to spare and no better options than watching a rather melodramatic film.