Have you ever just wanted to escape the mundane and stressful reality that is life?
Honestly, that is why I love films so much. The power of film can transport you to a new world and into the life of someone else. Empathy can channel through and allow us to live through their experiences without having to feel those emotions and pain on a deeply personal level. Many films have also taken this idea of escape and run with…right into a virtual world. The Matrix helped audiences escape the artificial world that humans became slaves to. Tron gave normal people the opportunity to live heroic and impressive lives through dangerous competition. But writer-director Mamoru Hosoda transports audiences into the “U”.
What is this crazy world of the “U”?
This is a virtual reality world where people can transform into avatars who represent the people they want to be deep inside. There are men who turn into heroic figures with power (but cannot escape the aggression and drive to overpower others). There is a powerful and violent beast who is unleashed upon this colorful and striking world. Then you have Suzu…our protagonist. She is a shadow of her former self after tragedy struck her youth. She sleepwalks through her existence in this small village she inhabits. But when she gets transported into the “U”, she becomes Belle. This striking and talented woman captivates this electronic world with her incredible voice and inspiring music. Lucky for the audience, that music has a similar effect on us.
But how does Hosoda make Belle standout in the world of anime and science fiction?
First off, there are few films so strikingly beautiful as this one. Whether it is an open world concert with giant whales like our finale or a haunting and awe-inspiring castle ripped from Beauty and the Beast, this film will be a visual treat.
“U” is a wonderful world full of imagination and various settings (all equally rendered and imaginative).
But more on that note as well. Hosoda can channel elements of this classic tale and thread it perfectly through the narrative of Belle. This unique relationship that builds between this aggressive and combative beast and this gorgeous and breathtaking singer embodies the spirit of this odd and classic romance. Hosoda can balance plenty of genres as well to make this film stand out. There are impressive action sequences that you might find in iconic action anime, tragic emotional beats that highlight the drama, and big musical numbers that could rival other more traditional animated musicals. And of course…there are plenty of science fiction elements as well!
There are plenty of elements of this film that make it soar…but does it really make you feel?
The film might feel a bit bloated with Hosoda’s screenplay trying to tackle so many elements and characters but that can be pushed to the side. Why? You will be spending plenty of time feeling along with the film to notice some of those extra and tact on elements. The tragic background of Suzu hits every time that film takes the audience and Suza back to it. You can feel the energy of every musical performance because of how much they mean to Suza. These are not just random songs because they are representations of the life that Suza has long left behind her. The connection with her audience and her own emotions can be felt right through the screen to us. We can feel the tension of mystery surrounding the identity of this beast is poignant as well. But what is even more poignant? The emotional impact that Hosoda delivers when we finally see who is behind this dangerous avatar. This scene is emotional and challenging as it deals with abuse and pain. But every step of the way, the cast rises to Hosoda’s challenge and delivers humor, love, passion, and fear (along with many more emotions).
What a great start to the year with new anime hitting US shores, isn’t it?
Belle is the whole package and is worth every minute.
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Along with Poupelle of Chimney Town, Belle is a powerful and meaningful experience. The journey of Suza shows the power of finding oneself. We all hope that we can find that moment or experience that helps us find ourselves in this crazy world.
