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7

alejandro970Nov 20, 2021

Studio Ghibli's first 3D movie is more outlier than heretic. In what sense? the characters feel distant and do not convey empathy to the viewer, and the plot feels superficial, the dramatic arc looks implausible. It's not for playing Devil'sStudio Ghibli's first 3D movie is more outlier than heretic. In what sense? the characters feel distant and do not convey empathy to the viewer, and the plot feels superficial, the dramatic arc looks implausible. It's not for playing Devil's Advocate, but a minor SG movie is worth more than any sequel made to sell hamburgers.… Expand

1 of 1 users found this helpful10

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6

RuffingtonFeb 5, 2021

Much has been made about the fact that this is the first non-"traditional" animated feature from Studio Ghibli, and it is definitely missing some of the small details and unexpected moments that really make a Ghibli movie special. Weirdly,Much has been made about the fact that this is the first non-"traditional" animated feature from Studio Ghibli, and it is definitely missing some of the small details and unexpected moments that really make a Ghibli movie special. Weirdly, there are moments that are beautifully realized. There are specific animations that are pretty spectacular. But surrounded by a lot of stuff that isn't all that great. For the movie itself, I liked it well enough for about 90% of the short run time but then it just... ends? It wraps up so quickly and with no real build-up to the resolution that I was left thinking... what just happened? It's an interesting first effort, probably could've used another 6months in the oven because as it is it just feels underbaked.… Expand

1 of 1 users found this helpful10

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9

AlanPeredaFeb 5, 2021

La película sacrifica el estilo clásico del Estudio pero para ser la primera en 3D es un buen salto y un buen experimento para localizar el futuro de Ghibli es verdad que a nivel narrativo deja mucho que desear y es que es una de esasLa película sacrifica el estilo clásico del Estudio pero para ser la primera en 3D es un buen salto y un buen experimento para localizar el futuro de Ghibli es verdad que a nivel narrativo deja mucho que desear y es que es una de esas películas que solo quieres disfrutar en una buena tarde sin querer aspirar a nada más que solo entretener a grandes y pequeños puesto que aún mantiene la chispa característica de Ghibli, además que es poco decir que no debemos aferrarnos a lo de antaño y lograr ver un nuevo futuro para el Estudio Nipón, es por eso que está película sin dudarlo es mágica.… Expand

1 of 1 users found this helpful10

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2

nkukFeb 4, 2021

Most obviously this doesn't look like a Ghibli film, it looks like your average low budget Saturday morning kids-channel animation. The 3D animation looks off, flat and oddly shaded, it has a kind of "uncanny valley" look that I just couldn'tMost obviously this doesn't look like a Ghibli film, it looks like your average low budget Saturday morning kids-channel animation. The 3D animation looks off, flat and oddly shaded, it has a kind of "uncanny valley" look that I just couldn't get over. The story isn't much better, and isn't interesting or charming or captivating like the Ghibli classics.

I really hope Studio Ghibli continue with their wonderful hand-drawn animation that they are famed and loved for. I think if they continue down this dull CGI path they will end up as just another anonymous CGI animation studio and will throw away what made the studio so famous.… Expand

2 of 3 users found this helpful21

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9

DynamiteStPetesFeb 6, 2021

Saw this movie tonight with my girlfriend. Myself, a longtime Ghibli fan, her, only seen one or two, not the biggest fan.

We both thoroughly enjoyed Earwig and the Witch! The story is not some sweeping adventure like Howl's Moving Castle orSaw this movie tonight with my girlfriend. Myself, a longtime Ghibli fan, her, only seen one or two, not the biggest fan.

We both thoroughly enjoyed Earwig and the Witch!
The story is not some sweeping adventure like Howl's Moving Castle or Spirited Away, it's a small and focused story about a girl's life, the relationships she builds, and how she builds them.

It doesn't get into too many specifics in the story or the characters, but I'd argue it didn't need to. They show you what they need to and let you fill in the small gaps with your imagination. It has a level of childlike whimsy to the flow of the story, and I was just completely into that.
There were a couple surprise story reveals that as soon as they hit, I just LOVED.

For animation, it's 3D, but it looks much better than most regular 3D anime series. I really enjoyed some of the small touches and details. Goo looks gooey, faces deform when touched, wet hair looks like wet hair. I guess maybe the characters look a bit like 3D representations of an old school anime style (if that makes any sense, kinda like the newest Lupin III 2020 movie honestly).

The movie ends quite abruptly and leaves many questions unanswered. However this movie is not about a whole chunck of universe building, it is more one section of time in this girl's life. The girlfriend and I were eager to see more for sure, but it is what it is.

Definitely see myself purchasing this when I get the chance.… Expand

2 of 4 users found this helpful22

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3

AnbFeb 6, 2021

I could not watch it. Animation felt like something from early 2000s.
They should've just stick with 2D.

2 of 4 users found this helpful22

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8

DatLOLBoiFeb 6, 2021

When I watched Earwig and the Witch, I didn't compare it to any of the other works from Ghibli and I was fairly surprised. I had seen Goro Miyazaki's other works and, while impressed with his directing style, did not enjoy them. However, thisWhen I watched Earwig and the Witch, I didn't compare it to any of the other works from Ghibli and I was fairly surprised. I had seen Goro Miyazaki's other works and, while impressed with his directing style, did not enjoy them. However, this changed with Earwig. I haven't read the original material that this is based off of, but this movie has a style all it's own and gives it all it's got. However, I do have some complaints. 1) the lighting in some scenes is a little off, but not terrible. 2) The story felt a like it ended a little early. What was there I did like, but I wished for a little more. Overall, I highly recommend this movie and I'm glad that I was able to see it in theaters with my family.
8/10… Expand

2 of 4 users found this helpful22

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0

Chey123Feb 9, 2021

I hate the 3d animation. It doesn't work for the Ghibli style. It also looks very similar to Scary Godmother which is infamous for being the most poorly animated Halloween movie. The story is cute. While the characters have flaws, there'sI hate the 3d animation. It doesn't work for the Ghibli style. It also looks very similar to Scary Godmother which is infamous for being the most poorly animated Halloween movie. The story is cute. While the characters have flaws, there's always a part of them you can come to like. The story ends abruptly, which will catch any viewer off guard and makes them think: "Why the hell have I been watching this the whole time for zero payoff?" Overall, It wasn't worth watching. You're better off watching Ghibli films from when Hayao Miyazaki was still working.… Expand

2 of 4 users found this helpful22

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0

JLottieBFeb 14, 2021

Even if you somehow manage to ignore the terrible and dated animation, the movie is just awful. The movie spends all of its time setting up plot points and storylines that never pay off, and when the credits roll, all you're left with is someEven if you somehow manage to ignore the terrible and dated animation, the movie is just awful. The movie spends all of its time setting up plot points and storylines that never pay off, and when the credits roll, all you're left with is some combination of anger, sadness, and disappointment. It's a total letdown for your average movie viewer. Its even worse if your a fan of Ghibli.… Expand

2 of 4 users found this helpful22

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9

OwtDaftNov 4, 2021

I really enjoyed this film. I love the main character, I love how cunning she is and how her cunning isn't in an entirly innocent kinda way you might expect. All the characters are really good especially the Mandrake. I actally liked how theI really enjoyed this film. I love the main character, I love how cunning she is and how her cunning isn't in an entirly innocent kinda way you might expect. All the characters are really good especially the Mandrake. I actally liked how the film looked too, it worked for this film and I don't think the Mandrake would have been as intimidating in 2D with how the special effects are. I did have to mark the film down a point because of the ending which is too abrupt. I want this review to be spoiler free so I won't explain why it's a disapointment. It's such a shame because it's otherwise a fantastic film and would of even been one of my favourite Ghibli films had it not been for this big issue. I did still really enjoy the film despite that though.… Expand

1 of 2 users found this helpful11

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0

AntideApr 29, 2021

Horrible story, bad animation, uninteresting music, uninteresting characters, none of the charm of a normal ghibli film.

1 of 2 users found this helpful11

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0

JRTynerFeb 10, 2021

The faces look as bad as the human faces in the first Toy Story movie. This is 2021 and the animation feels like it's 25 years old or older. I could not get past how bad this short movie looked.

1 of 3 users found this helpful12

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10

GreatGriffinFeb 14, 2021

This review contains spoilers, click expand to view. TLDR: if you dont like it, then odds are you missed the fact Ghibli did the book well and added some CRAZY DEEP additions to it giving us a whole new universe to explore.

This is an amazing take on an old story and an age old trope of the evil adopting parents, that also has an added bonus of a *heavily* implied 70s "free love" polyamory trouple.

Honestly, the only reason you wont like this is if youre holding onto your fondness of ghiblis 2d style, or found the original book to be a master piece that couldnt have been improved, and if you go into it wanting to learn another Ghibli universe: this story is expansive, intriguing, and leaves you wanting to know more.… Expand

1 of 3 users found this helpful12

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3

HealingToolboxJun 15, 2021

Not for kids. A failed ANTI-DISNEY ANIMATED FEATURE. Sadly the amazing CGI art direction cannot save an ill-conceived project. If you asked me what genre this is, I couldn't tell you. It's NOT Charmed, a lovely young girl playing atNot for kids. A failed ANTI-DISNEY ANIMATED FEATURE. Sadly the amazing CGI art direction cannot save an ill-conceived project. If you asked me what genre this is, I couldn't tell you. It's NOT Charmed, a lovely young girl playing at wishcraft and witchcraft. This is a selfish, self-centered, PERVERSE young girl whose goal is to get everyone around her to do what she wants; she says this three times. Despite the imaginative CGI look, the main character has no redeeming values. Could this be a pre-quel to the 2021 Cruella prequel? I think the creators were perhaps following the book slavishly and did not consider what genre they were working in. Disney animated films are too formulaic. Here we have the opposite problem of nothing at all famliar to kids. The only IP I can think of that did anti-Disney kids films well is A Series of Unfortunate Events (Lemony Snicket). Those books had a workable demented tone. The tone here is unintentionally demented, especially compared to other Ghibli wonders.… Expand