The Boy and the Heron (2023)

74% User Rating

2h 4min

"Where death comes to an end, life finds a new beginning."

While the Second World War rages, the teenage Mahito, haunted by his mother's tragic death, is relocated from Tokyo to the serene rural home of his new stepmother Natsuko, a woman who bears a striking resemblance to the boy's mother. As he tries to adjust, this strange new world grows even stranger following the appearance of a persistent gray heron, who perplexes and bedevils Mahito, dubbing him the "long-awaited one."

Hayao MiyazakiDirector

Cast

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Soma Santoki

Mahito Maki (voice)

Masaki Suda

Gray Heron (voice)

Ko Shibasaki

Kiriko (voice)

Aimyon

Lady Himi (voice)

Yoshino Kimura

Natsuko (voice)

Takuya Kimura

Shoichi Maki (voice)

Keiko Takeshita

Izumi (voice)

Jun Fubuki

Utako (voice)

Sawako Agawa

Eriko (voice)

Karen Takizawa

Warawara (voice)

Shinobu Ôtake

Aiko (voice)

Jun Kunimura

The Parakeet King (voice)

Kaoru Kobayashi

Noble Pelican (voice)

Shōhei Hino

Granduncle (voice)

Reviews (3)

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Manuel São Bento

Rating 60%

October 27, 2023

MORE SPOILER-FREE MINI-REVIEWS @ https://www.msbreviews.com/movie-reviews/mini-reviews-2023-edition THE BOY AND THE HERON is a visually captivating film that struggles to balance all of its storylines and themes. Technically, no faults. The visuals are nothing short of breathtaking, with each shot meticulously detailed and rich in storytelling. The animation is a true work of art, drawing viewers into a world of wonder and magic. The sound design and score complement the visuals beautifully, enhancing the overall viewing experience. And finally, the film retains the typical Ghibli humor that fans have come to love, sprinkling lighthearted moments throughout the narrative. However, Hayao Miyazaki succumbs to his ambition. The filmmaker tries to incorporate too many ideas, resulting in a somewhat confusing, messy narrative, particularly in the transitions between different characters, locations, and story arcs. THE BOY AND THE HERON stumbles in its attempt to juggle multiple ideas, but overall, it still manages to deliver a delightful, enchanting experience for fans of the studio's work. Rating: B-