Animated films have always struggled to be taken seriously as a medium capable of providing viewers with meaningful and thought provoking work.
Their target audience was, long ago, established as children and since then it has become increasingly rare to find an animated movie that could boast more than an orgy of bright colors. The Wind Rises, however, is one of the strongest written and most challenging films I have seen in quite some time, that just happens to be animated. It is filled to the brim with motifs, symbolism and rich themes while delivering a mature story. It is not a film I would recommend to everyone, but is one that I wish everyone would see.
The film follows Jiro Horikoshi, a Japanese engineer who wants nothing more than to create beautiful planes which can be appreciated for the art in their design. Unfortunately, Jiro’s story takes place during World War II and he struggles, throughout the entire film, with the idea that his creations will be used to cause suffering. The conflict between an artist and how their art might be exploited, and used, is one of the strongest motifs in the film. The direct and writer, Hayao Miyazaki, originally announced this would be his last movie. Knowing this, you can tell much of the writing was influenced by his view an an artist reflecting on his life and how he spent it. While the plot itself may seem dull or uninteresting, it is the way Miyazaki is able to cause you to sympathize with the protagonist by creating parallels between his philosophical struggles and those of any ordinary person that make this film so astounding.
Everything in the movie is handled with this same level of maturity, from dream sequences and Jiro’s romantic relationship to the beautiful, hand drawn animation which showcases both sequences of destruction and tranquility. Very few films are able to match the quality The Wind Rises provides, let alone animated ones, and while it may not be entertaining enough for some, those willing to give it a chance will not be disappointed.
The Wind Rises is currently playing in select theaters.
