Suzume is another film by Makoto Shinkai that emulates the motifs and themes of his previous works but this time has its fantasy elements taken to greater heights. The usual strengths of breathtaking aesthetics, surreal visual flares and stellar soundtracks by Radwimps are all found within this movie.

Visually spectacular, Shinkai does what he always does best showing displaying beautiful animation and background art in larger-than-life settings. A film that seems to be created within the frames of a canvas by a master painter.

Radwimp's usual contemporary rock soundtrack once again matches the fun adventurous energy that the protagonists go through in most of Shinkai's films. And this time they did an equally splendid job at matching the movie's heavier fantasy theme that really made it easy to immerse in its otherworldly setting.

As I mentioned this film is not much different in its motifs and themes from Shinkai's other films, especially when comparing it with Weathering with You and Your Name. Once again we experience Shinkai's artistic expression of the volatile, selfish, selfless, confusing and naive romance of youth intertwined with a disaster of a fantastical nature. Creating the dilemma of choosing between personal feelings between one versus preventing chaos and saving the lives of possibly millions.

For the more studied viewer of Shinkai's works, they would recognize the fantasy depictions of disaster in Shinkai's films are rooted in the anxieties of Japan's frequent encounters with natural disasters such as earthquakes and tsunamis. Which makes his works way more well-received by the Japanese audience. In this film, however, this metaphor of natural disaster can not be more blatant and obvious; having the fantasy element of destruction is directly related to earthquakes.

What I love about Shinkai's work is how he incorporates these themes of romance and anxiety of natural disasters into a package of idealistic fantasy. From its art, motifs and plot they all speak more to the heart rather than the mind. And this plot of romance and heroism is nothing unique at all but Shinkai is the only director that I know that is able to deliver it in such a magical way that I really wish I can describe. If I have one criticism is that this magic is not as strong as I experienced when watching his previous films such as Your Name and Weathering with You which moved me to tears. This film however despite its failure to make me weep still manage to mesmerize me for the most part.

Suzume is a beautiful film that incorporates the same elements that make Shinkai's films so great. I as a Shinkai fan was definitely not blown away by anything new or groundbreaking but was still pleasantly treated with the same cinematic magic that Shinkai consistently incorporates into his works. Another beautiful and mesmerizing film that is definitely worth a watch, especially on the cinema screens.