May 27, 2008
Story
Nothing special, really. The story is one of the biggest weak points of the movie, so don't expect something you have never seen before. You might get the feeling of watching another recycled story, but be sure not to focus too much on it. Because sometimes it's not what you get, it's how you get it ;)
Art
Absolutely breath-taking. Very detailed backgrounds with the characters perfectly put into. Common use of blood in most of the more violent parts of the movie, but here and there it's not unusual to see some limbs flying through the air or heads getting cut off. Alltogether the violence is
...
kept within bounds, neither showing too much nor too few. Be sure not to blink during the action sequences or you might miss some parts of the very sophisticated choreography!
Sound
Most anime movies contain too neutral music (at least in my opinion), but Mukoh Hadan convinced me: This movie has one of the most atmospheric and fitting soundtrack I have heard yet! It fits in every little corner of the movie, therefor supporting every scene you are confronted with. Without overstatement, the soundtrack is one of the reasons you'll get sucked into this movie, always being alert and focused on what will happen next.
No lacks in use of sound effects. Everything fits. Not much to say about this.
Character
Yes, you might say there's a lack of character development - but this only might be an result of not watching the movie carefully enough (it surprises me when people are able to this ^^ ). There are a lot of parts with the main characters keeping you in the dark, make you more interested and then.. well, no ultra boombastic surprises?! That's because the movie is not the right kind for something like that. Instead it raises the affiliation between characters step by step and pushes their actions more and more. Always bear in mind that this is a movie, not a series with over 20 episodes and if you still don't agree, think it over: doesn't it make everything much more realistic?
Summary
Leaving the 'little boy with his best friend dog' cliché aside, Stranger - Muko Hadan is a movie that points out due to its very likable characters, outstanding animation and really fitting soundtrack, thus creating a dense atmosphere that keeps you watching it to the very end.
Reviewer’s Rating: 9
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