The Boy and the Heron Review 

“You see this world? There’s more work to be done.” 

The Boy and the Heron is the newest to the Studio Ghibli filmography but is also an exciting return (could also be his last) to one of the greatest storytellers to live on earth, Hayao Miyazaki. We all thought at that time “The Wind Rises” would be his last film. It was a joy when a couple of years ago it was announced that Miyazaki has come out of his retirement and already begun working on a project, which is now known as The Boy and the Heron. Although, the original Japanese title is so much better in my opinion, which was called “How Do You Live?”. 

What’s amazing about the film, before it officially comes out in America. We didn’t know what the film was, except for the title. So what they did in Japan is that they didn’t do any of the marketing. No trailer but only the teaser poster and the title. Only piece of marketing is coming out of word of mouth. That’s it and it’s brilliant. I wish it did the same here in America but nope, we did indeed get a trailer and such but it didn’t stop me from being excited to see the film. Watching it on the big screen was a privilege because I knew it was going to be special. Knowing that this is my first Miyazaki/Studio Ghibli film to be seen on the big screen. I’m just happy to have witnessed a brand new Miyazaki film. 

I can’t help it just to smile. 

As soon as the film started, in the very first frame, I was completely mesmerized by what Miyazaki brought to his imagination on screen. He never lost his touch, even at the age of 82. The passion of animation and storytelling is clearly shown in every frame, almost like it was back from the dead yet still has the energy, love and care into creating a unique world that we all know and love that is coming from Miyazaki’s mind. This is his most personal film to date. We have come to expect that the animation is breathtaking to watch. Just like his previous works, it is full of color, details, and wonder. Perfectly balanced the realism and surrealism. While further exploring with Mahito as he deals with grief of his mother while being transported into a Alice in Wonderland type of world as he befriends a gray heron on a journey to accept to move on with life hence the original title which begs the question “How Do You Live?”. Does that sound crazy? Yes, but done with a typical fashion coming from the mind of Miyazaki. He made it work and flows the way it is supposed to be. It had me fully invested with the characters, the world, and the story. It never fails to make my eyes wide open and immerse into the world that Miyazaki builds. Even the imagery is shown on screen that is full of fantastical and beautiful to look at but also not afraid to go dark. A particular scene comes to mind is when a boy comes across an injured yet bloody pelican, they are just having a small conversation but it’s so disturbing to look at yet can’t help being captivated by it. Every story needs to have light and dark and Studio Ghibli is no stranger to do what they are best at. Showcasing what it is like to grow up and learning what it is like to be a human, even when the world is full of magic and chaos but always comes with a theme and a message along the way. The story as a whole never felt stuffed or in your face. I trust what Miyazaki will give us. What he gave us is a compelling story that questions life and death.

The biggest praise I get out from seeing the film is that Hayao Miyazaki has something to say. Even if just a reflection of his life and knowing the end could be near for him, it is also challenging us the audience how do we live in this world? How do we accept the path that is going to take us? In every frame there’s layers of depth in what the characters are feeling, what the world is reacting to and the connection of the past and most important of them all is curiosity about what the future is going to be like. In The future we don’t know how it is going to turn out. A big question that Miyazaki is not afraid to ask but we can also relate to. A big question that Miyazaki is figuring out or may already found his answer with is a form of a medium of animation. 

The score by Joe Hisaishi is pure and magical. Perfection. No notes. 

This could be Miyazaki’s answer to morality. Reflecting his own life, his own creation. Accepting this could be his last and pass it on to a new generation of artists. Yet, leaving the legacy that will continue to look back on and live on. The Boy and Heron feels like a proper “final” film. If so, what a film to end on his wonderful yet impactful career. Miyazaki has touched many lives around the world because his films are true works of art with hidden while sometimes on the nose message, beautiful fleshed out characters, imaginative world building. His latest work is classic Miyazaki. It’s by no means a top tier Studio Ghibli film such as Princess Mononoke (my favorite Studio Ghibli film), Spirited Away, The Wind Rises, and the underrated Ponyo (SO GOOD). But it’s a damn great entry into the already rich Studio Ghibli library. 

Even though I didn’t want the film to end, I must accept that is how the film ends. 

I do plan on seeing it again but this time with the English dub which includes a star studded cast such as Robert Pattinson, Willem Dafoe, Gemma Chan, Florence Pugh, Christian Bale, Dave Bautista and Mark Hamill. I’m intrigued that their performances differ from the original voice cast. 

The great thing about coming out of seeing the film is that Hayao Miyazaki is back with another film for us and it is now playing everywhere to see on the big screen and we should celebrate that gift. 

Rating: 9.5/10