Suzume weaves ideas of trauma, home, and nature into a spiritual folktale. Its creativity is entertaining and substantial, delivering a theme of connection with our origins. There's quirky humor, historical lore, clear characters, powerful setup/payoff, damsel trope reversals, an earned arc, and a simple yet odd plot. However, despite these strengths, the personal drama is forced, stodgy, or neglected. There's weak motivation, contrived dialogue, cringe romance, and convenient relationships. Plus, the third act awkwardly shifts gears for a while. The main conflict is dynamic but Suzume's intimacy is underdeveloped. Overall, the good outweighs the bad, but these flaws prevent true greatness.
Technically, Suzume is quaint yet surreal. Its hand drawings have digital surroundings. The modern production design adds a supernatural realm. Its imagery employs shimmering lighting, framing, colors, motion, focus, composition, and angles. The music uses ambiance, mysticism, jazz, needle drops, and motifs. Its sound utilizes split cuts, stings, magic, layering, silence, distortions, and action. The editing offers smash cuts, jump cuts, pacing, inserts, montages, dissolves, intercuts, and match fades, but the momentum is spotty. Although the cast isn't famous, the voice acting is ranged. Ultimately, Suzume has valuable craft, imagination, and meaning despite mixed relatability.
Writing: 7/10
Direction: 8/10
Cinematography: 9/10
Acting: 7/10
Editing: 8/10
Sound: 9/10
Score/Soundtrack: 7/10
Production Design: 9/10
Casting: 5/10
Effects: 9/10
Overall Score: 7.8/10
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