The Place Promised in our Early Days
The Movie
In this alternate world, Japan was divided after World War II: Hokkaido, renamed "Ezo," belongs to "the Union;" the rest of archipelago is an American dependency. Ezo is dominated by the Union Tower, a seemingly topless needle. Middle school students Hiroki and Takuya dream of visiting the Tower, and start building an airplane. They're joined by Sayuri, who nurtures a crush on Hiroki. As the characters move into high school, Sayuri falls into a coma. Hiroki and Takuya learn that her dreams are linked to the Tower and to experiments in contacting parallel universes. Shinkai fills the screen with sun-drenched landscapes that recall the films of Hayao Miyazaki, but the story rambles and falters. Although his understated style is often effective, Shinkai needs to learn to pace a longer work. The narrative often feels choppy, and the ending weak.
Links:
Part 1: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1vBl9pOncNc
Part 2: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=CWrCdNVBMHM&feature=related
Part 3: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=LS3STmjDUfY&feature=related
Part 4: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=p9IjiWQsPP4&feature=related
Part 5: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=tFPyXhCln8M&feature=related
Part 6: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ql8fgnnQkKM&feature=related
Part 7: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=CrkEwo542DU&feature=related
Part 8: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=yrxfp57x6yQ&feature=related
Part 9: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=rpH3QLBx92g&feature=related
