Customer Reviews: Read 40 more reviews...
 I Really Love This Movie December 28, 2008
I'm so glad I got this DVD. THE GIRL WHO LEAPT THROUGH TIME truly deserves all the acclaim and awards it got, including the first Best Animated Film award at the Japanese Academy Awards. It's beautiful, funny, dramatic, dazzling and touching. There were several scenes in this movie which brought me to the verge of tears.
This is based on a original story by Yasutaka Tsutsui, one of Japan's finest sci-fi writers, who's other writing became the concept for Satoshi Kon's equally excellent PAPRIKA (2006). Interestingly, both THE GIRL WHO LEAPT THROUGH TIME and PAPRIKA were animated by Studio Madhouse and released, more or less, the same time in Japan.
THE GIRL WHO LEAPT THROUGH TIME is another strong example that there is more to anime than just giant robots (no offence) and annoying little mouse-type creatures that unleash electricity. It's something for all the family to watch I believe.
At this time of writing, the director Mamoru Hosoda is in production on another anime film at Studio Madhouse. I really do hope he will present the same enthusiam and passion that made THE GIRL WHO LEAPT THROUGH TIME so good.
One of the best anime films in recent years. A must buy.
Reviewer: Ben David W
 Enjoyable December 27, 2008
This is a manga style animation about a teenage girl who discovered that she can leap back into time. The story is pretty simple really. She lives with her mom and dad and her sister. She is ok in school and has 2 guy best friends and a good girlfriend. Things seemed pretty normal for a 17 -year-old girl with what normal teenager do until she discovered that she can leap back into time. The story got a bit more complex when she discovered that one of her friend fancied her and to deny this ever happening she kept leaping back into time to avoid the issue. Until something else happened and she realised the consequences of meddling with things which are meant to be.
It's a quirky little film. I like the manga style animation. The American English dubbed did annoy me slightly. Overall highly enjoyable. I think it relates more to a younger audience than to someone like myself. (you know teenage angst etc) Otherwise enjoyable.
 An unexpected delight December 26, 2008
0 out of 1 found this review helpful
A cross between "Eternal Sunshine Of The Spotless Mind" and a clever rites-of-passage film, with time travel, and charmingly sweet animation? Oh, an unlikely, but rather brilliant premise allows the film to explore the world of teenage passage, the nature of cruelty, love, and, of course, the casual flippancy of time travel, and examine how our decisions and our powers become casually and lazily abused with often immense, and unforeseen consequences. Pay attention to the non-linear narrative, the effective characterisation, and you will be justly rewarded. Thankfully, this film does not patronise or treat the viewer - or the characters with borad brushstrokes - and the result is a complex, human, and insightful work far more than you may originally think. Well worth investing your time in.
Beautiful and Fun Film December 23, 2008
It's hard to define this film's genre, something of a mixture of sci-fi, teen romance, drama & comedy. I had no idea what to expect of this film and was amazed by how beautiful the art style is and how well written the story is. I won't spoil the plot (which needs quite alot of of explaining) but its a wonderful story that unfolds in small chunks which serves the flow of the film well.
This is probably the best anime film I'v seen this year and is well worth a view.
Well worth a look! December 22, 2008
0 out of 1 found this review helpful
As I understand it not many people have seen this gorgeous animation yet, and it's a shame because it's one of the best anime films I've seen in a long time. I mostly check out the action anime first since that's always been my favourite genre, a sci-fi romantic drama didn't initially appeal to me....but, I thought it was worth a look after watching a trailer on-line.
Great visuals are not a given with anime but this holds up well with the best out there, not quite blowing away Studio Gibli's best efforts, sure, but what does?
Most importantly the time travelling plot is interesting and easy to follow with solid characters, not too cheesy dialogue and a satisfying conclusion. I wish Hollywood would consider remaking films like this instead of always reaching into Japanese and Korean horror cinema.
All in all a very enjoyable film (for all ages), what more could you ask for?!?!
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