A
classic is here:
Voices of a Distant Star DVD
Review
by
: Troy
Brownfield
Regular
readers of Shotgun Reivews should be aware that we don't often
award the "5 Banana/Classic" rating very often.
When we do, it has to be to something that possesses enormous
value, either in the capacity for artistry or the ability
to entertain. Without a doubt, Makoto Shinkai's Voices
of a Distant Star is a classic. A short film of startling
power and vision, it'll leave you breathless not just for
the solo work of an amazing animation talent, but for the
shocking depth of emotion. It's a giant robot tearjerker,
and it's nothing short of outstanding.
Shinkai's
background is in film and video games. His "She and Her
Cat" short, also included on the disc, was an award-winner.
He created Voices entirely on a Mac G4/400. He wrote,
directed, and animated the film. He only farmed out the beautiful
music and the wonderful voice acting. Shinkai demonstrates
phenomenal ability; not only does he have complete mastery
of a blended form of traditional and CGI animation, he has
clear writing talent, crafting a story that forms a small
lump in your throat that never stops growing until the haunting
conclusion. Voices went on to take the "Most Valuable
Newcomer" for Shinkai at the 2002 Tokyo International
Anime Fair. It's easy to see why; the
very fact that anime is normally a very collaborative medium
makes Shinkai's auteur effort all the more remarkable.
The story
itself is fairly simple. It's 2046, and aliens have begun
incursions into our solar system. A young female pilot, Mikako,
joins the fleet to defend Earth. She leaves behind her true
love, Noburo. As Mikako and the fleet travel further from
Earth, it takes longer and longer for her text messages to
reach the man she left behind. First months, then years. He
ages normally, while her travel at relativistic speeds keeps
her the young girl that she was when she left. It's powerful
stuff, lyrically told.
Shinkai
gives equal import to the Earthbound scenes as to the giant
space battles. Mikako and her giant battlesuit dart and flash
in scenes made with skill equal to the best of the "Gundam"
series, yet renderings of everyday things like railroad crossings
and rain-swept bus stops achieve their own sublime grandeur.
I was stunned at how involved I became with the characters
and their world in such a short period of time. In a strange
way, the story reminds me of "Flowers for Algernon"
by Daniel Keyes; not because there's any similarity in the
narratives, but because of the slowly dawning realization
and deep welling sadness that drives the story onward.
You might
wonder how a 25-minute film can generate so much in the way
of a reaction from this perenially jaded critic. You only
wonder if you haven't seen it. Voices of a Distant Star
is a rare thing; it's the first major work by a filmmaker
that holds the promise of tremendous things to come. It's
emotionally honest, brilliantly conceived, absolutely touching,
and thrilling to behold.
Troy
Brownfield is the Editor-in-Chief of Shotgun Reviews. He knew
it was a winner when it made his wife cry. Email Troy at psikotyk@aol.com
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