Summer Wars (Mamoru Hosoda, 2009)

The Proposal + The Celebration + Tron + Scott Pilgrim + War Games = Summer Wars?

I found a little something from all of those films contained in Hosoda's followup to his 2006 release, The Girl Who Leapt Through Time. (a title I enjoyed very much)

I thought this was a solid film, though a little convoluted at times. There's some interesting animation here, especially the sequences which take place within the online world. The story deals with the importance of family (in this case a very large one), and touches on the perils of an over-reliance on technology.

I've seen and heard Miyazaki's name brought up in discussions about Hosoda, which I'm sure must flatter him. It seems like a lot of pressure though, and I hope the comparisons don't detract from the solid work he's done so far. Definitely someone to keep an eye out for in the future.

Summer Wars: Trailer

The Girl Who Leapt Through Time (Mamoru Hosada, 2006)

TIME LEAP???

Never been really big on Anime.

It's one nerd element I've never really felt the need to dive into. I've checked out the must see classics (Akira, Ninja Scroll, Ghost In The Shell), and watched some of the starter drug anime series (Macross, DBZ, Naruto). For the most part, it's been action adventure, fantasy and science fiction. Giant mechs, ninjitsu, blood, guts; you know, boys stuff.

I believe this is the first time I've watched an anime of this ilk. There's an obvious element of science fiction that drives the plot (check the title, eh), but for the most part it plays out like a teeny bop, high school drama. Tests to write, boys to fall for, rivals to fend off. The protagonist, Makoto Konna, stumbles -literally- into an object allowing her to time travel and as expected from a teenager, heedlessly uses them to solve minor problems: tests, boys and rivals.

Time travelling almost always has consequences, and Makoto soon learns that her actions may be hurting those around her. It provides for a great third act that may tug on your heartstrings if you're a big softie.

I liked this film a hell of a lot more than I expected. If it sounds like your kind of thing, it comes with my recommendation.

The Girl Who Leapt Through Time: Trailer