Movie digest
Suzu is a young high school student staying with her father in a rural area. She lost her mother at a very young age and became traumatized and could not understand her father’s good intentions. One day, she visits “U,” a virtual world of a whopping 5 million internet members. In that world, she takes the role of “Belle” and buries her worries there. She becomes a superstar pop figure (a princess-like pink-haired avatar) by the recognition gained in the virtual world, which assists people like Suzu reborn as avatars (sounds futuristic right?). Eventually, she comes across a strange creature. The journey that they follow forms the crux of the story.
The feel-good part
Generally, the internet is seen as a bane concerning the mindset of youngsters, but Hosoda does a convincing job of also showcasing some benefits of it. The background animation is outstanding in the movie.
The disappointing factor
There is no major disappointing factor in the movie. Though the idea of the internet letting people develop a new avatar is like traveling familiar grounds, the film has done a convincing job in showcasing that online platforms can sometimes heal scars. This is itself compensate for this minor flaw.
In-depth analysis
The way a reticent teenager turns out into a music idol is well shown in the movie. Hosoda is now gaining recognition as one of the remarkable directors in Japanese animation. In Belle, he concentrates on family bonding. The film is perfectly made and hence got international recognition.
Ludwig Forssell’s and Yuta Bando’s music does a captivating work, bringing about a surge of emotional weight throughout the movie. The movie has a mix of the themes of “Beauty and the Beast” and the “Matrix.”
The director used his splendid creative skills convincingly. The mesmerizing virtual world in which people get solace in different avatars is shown as a means to escape from the real world’s sufferings. The visuals are amazing, and Hosoda outstandingly does the editing part.
Star power
The voice-over for all the characters is perfect. Even the supporting characters are given importance.
Overall opinion
This coming-of-age sci-fi fairy tale, which takes on the classic story of Beauty and the Beast, has a relevant storyline for this internet age.
