Новый проект от режиссера аниме-цикла «Покемон» Kunihiko Yuyama was created at the American-Japanese studio Sprite Animation Studios, founded by the authors of the well-known, but not shot in the box office of the movie “Final Fantasy: Spirits Inside”. Full-length cartoon “Once upon a time a cat” has been described by film experts as a moral but dreary animation product, built on the narration of why street cats need to know literacy, be able to read and be friends. Despite critical ratings, the tape has an IMDb rating of 6.80.
Exclusively national cartoon
In narrow circles of animators latelyThere is an opinion that the sensible creation of three-dimensional tapes is justified when the authors, following international trends, try to conquer the foreign market. At the same time, the “Once-A-Cat” project created with the help of this technology (2017), critics' opinions are positioned as purely national cinema, which is why, for example, in the Russian Federation, an animation tape looks somewhat puzzled if the viewer does not ponder what is happening and unaware of the peculiarities of the Japanese mentality and culture. According to Russian standards, the basic moral of the picture may seem strange: sad and optimistic overnight. Therefore, “Once upon a time there was a cat” - a cartoon, reviews of reviewers in which find echoes of the Buddhist attitude to reality and life in general.
As an alternative
Touchingly realized author's intentionKunihiko Yuyama has a plot that does not lose its relevance. In the center of the story is a black little kitten Rudolph, who by chance has fallen into a metropolis, in which he will have to learn the basics of survival without the help of caring owners. The experienced, adult cat who is respected by the whole district becomes the mentor of the lost kid. The plot of the animated film “Lived-Was a Cat” received favorable reviews; some contributing authors called the Japanese picture an excellent alternative to the familiar audience of Hollywood animated franchises that would appeal to the whole family.
Discrepancy to the stated genre
Однако «Жил-был кот» (мультфильм 2017) отзывы Skeptical reviewers blame for inconsistencies with genre policy. The fact is that the cartoon is declared as an adventure, but during viewing it turns out that there is practically no adventure as such. In addition to the string, in which the kitten is alone in a big city. Survival in the company of a mentor is quite simple:
- in Japan, many citizens feed stray animals;
- competing gangs of heroes do not pester;
- most of the time, the kitten teaches literacy and develops a plan for returning home.
Only closer to the final key characters get into a serious scrape, which is quickly solved, and without any heroism from the side of Rudolph.
No drama
As a result, "there was a cat" reviews of experts andordinary viewers are called not an adventure, but a moral animated picture for primary school age and preschoolers, showing the importance of literacy and demonstrating loyalty, friendship and sincere care. Indeed, the kindness and soulfulness in the multi are more than enough, as well as the fascinating touchingness and grace. But in an entertainment product aimed at a wide audience, there should be fascination. And in the tape "Lived-was a cat" reviews indicate an insufficient number of problems, threats and the almost complete absence of drama. At the same time, humor in the brainchild of Kunihiko Yuyama is not enough, and visual beauty is represented by stone landscapes of the Tokyo suburb.
Advantages and disadvantages
The adult audience is somewhat confused andvery diligent voice of Japanese actors, who do not miss a single sigh, exhalation of the main character, and he, in turn, will not take a single step without the next "aha". It creates the impression that the creators are afraid of the lack of replicas. It causes confusion and deliberately exaggerated animated movements, because of which all movements of cats look awkward and unnatural, like puppet. As if some part of the linking movements was simply missing or flawed. This circumstance deprived the characters of the movement of vital flexibility and smoothness. At the same time, the background statistical objects are created with the inherent Japanese multipliers style and thoroughness, which creates a detailed, deep space.
The undoubted advantage of the paintings are the cats themselves: animals are palpably tangible and incredibly cute, especially the key personage who makes you want to stroke the ruffled fur.
