Tokyo Godfathers | List Price: $19.94
Discount Price: $9.96
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Brand: Sony
Binding: DVD
Release Date: 2004-04-13
"This is a once-in-a-lifetime chance" [Posted on 2007-10-21]
The phrase in the title came from one of the three homeless characters when they found a baby in the trash, but it also applies to anime fans and this film. There are not many cases in this genre in which you can watch a story that has the effect this one has on the feelings of the viewer. I do not pretend to be an expert on anime, far from it, but the only anime production that had a similar effect on me was Grave of the Fireflies. Just the mere fact that "Tokyo Godfathers" can be put in the same echelon as that masterpiece should be telling.
When an unlikely trio of homeless people finds a very special Christmas present, their world is shook in ways in they do not think possible. Thus, a bitter old man, an ex-drag queen and a teenager with a grudge towards her family embark in a quest to find the parents of the beautiful baby girl they found in the trash. The story starts out slow, but it gradually draws you into it, until you are hopelessly hooked. Little by little we come to understand the facts that led the three characters to their current situation and we are mesmerized by their search, which leads them to interact with an array of characters that range from desperate to happy to be alive.
I particularly enjoyed the graphics of this movie, but you need to understand that these differ from the common benchmark for the genre. In the film we get drawings with a good amount of detail in the main characters and in the background when it is close-up. But the general background and people that are not as relevant to the story are drawn with a lot less details. I interpreted this as a way to highlight what is important, but different people will have different interpretations for its purpose. Another aspect that surprised me is how good the tone of the voice of the different characters blended with the mood. I have seen many anime films in which the voices of the characters are a monotonous high-strung dialogue, and this one is not like that at all.
This is a movie that portrays the worst and best in human nature, and many layers in between. Therefore, there are portions that are heart-wrenching and others that are uplifting. It definitely has all the components of a great dramatic story. There is even humor sprinkled throughout the story, helping alleviate the mood at times, but not detracting from the seriousness of the plot. Simply put, this is a masterpiece that you cannot miss.
Surprisingly Enjoyable and Encouraging [Posted on 2008-01-07]
I didn't know what to expect when I watched Tokyo Godfathers, but loved it by the end. I've seen Millennium Actress and Perfect Blue, neither of which sincerely moved me, although the animation was beautiful.
I loved this film because it was set in the everyday, making it much more accessible for the viewer. I cared for the characters and was touched by the small miracles the movie centered around. It had a great blend of drama and humor, and in the end it inspires hope, which I don't normally associate with Satoshi Kon's anime. All in all, I was pleasantly surprised!
Quick Overview [Posted on 2008-02-12]
The lives of three homeless people are plunged into chaos when they find an abandoned baby on new-year's eve. Do they keep it or do they start an impossible search for the parents in snowbound Tokyo?
Diverting, but felt like it was not explored as fully as it could have been. The characters are definitely fascinating, but seem to lack something in depth.
The easiest Satoshi Kon film to follow. [Posted on 2008-05-22]
Tokyo Godfathers is the third film created by Satoshi Kon. Those who are familiar with his works, knows how complicated it can be to follow them. They usually require 2 to 3 watches to come close to understanding. His nonlinear style of storytelling usually leaves the viewer confused. Tokyo Godfathers on the other hand is very straight forward with a few plot twist.
Tokyo Godfathers is a comedy drama. The story is about three homeless people who find an abandoned baby while digging through trash. They take the child and begin trying to take care of it until they decide to find the real parents. During their travels they come in contact with familiar faces plus reflect on their past.
The characters is the biggest attraction for me. They seem almost too real at times and it's hard not to like them. I mean, their bums and they never really let you forget that. The dialogue at times is hilarious and the voice acting is very solid. There isn't much character development but I feel they have some depth. The writing is done very well in some areas. The peoples reactions on a crowded train with smelly bums is very easy to relate to. Me living in NYC, I understand that situation all too well when I use to ride the subways.
The animation and artwork is very well done. This film shows another side of Tokyo that alot of anime titles don't even touch. You get a good look at the dark and gritty landscapes. Heavily polluted alley ways, full of garbage and cardboard boxes being used as homes.
Now the film does have deeper themes that will touch most people. One of them being divine intervention. This is something that came into play many times. I have to admit this did grate on my nerves a bit and I felt it just happended too much. I just don't believe in it and I felt it kind of stretched logic a bit much. I really didn't care for the soundtrack even though it did fit well for this type of film.
This is still a great anime film that I toss on once in awhile for that feel good feeling. Even I get tired of massive violence and angst at times. I highly recommend this to those searching for something more mature and light hearted. The film is also sub titled. There is no english dialogue for those who hate to read.
Very Enjoyable Film [Posted on 2008-08-27]
I have to admit that this movie had a slow start for me. I tried watching it twice and tired out both times. But then on one sleepless night I gave it a third time and was completely engaged until the very end. I have to confess that my attention span has been conditioned by Hollywood, where plot takes off within a few minutes. With Tokyo Godfathers, traditional storytelling takes the stage, and important character development stacks up at the beginning, making for a very fun, very eventful second half to the movie. The combination of the three characters becomes a circus as half-truths from everyone involved suddenly starts to clash. The comedy is very sophisticated, even when it is slapstick, and exceeds the standards of most hollywood humor. The ending is absolutely flawless. I'm so glad I didn't give up on this movie.
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