This is a spoiler-free two-part review for a two-part movie. You are reading the review for: "Red"

Intro

To Me, The One Who Loved You (Red Background), also known as "Kimi Ai," and To Every You I’ve Loved Before (Blue background), also known as "Boku Ai," are a pair of films that can be watched in any order. For convenience, I will refer to them as "Red" and "Blue" respectively throughout this review. The following review will be kept spoiler-free, but if you're seeking quick recommendations, it is suggested to start with "Red" and then proceed to "Blue" in the same viewing session.

The Good

Let's cut to the chase - "Red" serves one essential purpose, which is to provide crucial exposition for "Blue." As both films possess a slight sci-fi element, "Red" effectively sets the stage by offering the necessary background without actually being a part of "Blue." It's akin to the popular meme that says, "My hands look like this, so hers can look like that." The way "Red" and "Blue" tie together is actually quite cool, but I'll leave the details in my review for "Blue."

If I were to give pity points, I appreciate the limited number of side characters considering the ambitious nature of the two films. By focusing on the individuals who truly matter, it becomes easier to keep track of what's significant.

The Bad

Just as the color red is often associated with something amiss, "Red" unfortunately falters in nearly every aspect. Let's start with the abysmal voice acting, which feels as though the director instructed the actors to speak like robots. This is particularly puzzling since the male lead character, who reportedly shares the same voice actor in both films, doesn't speak with such lifelessness in "Blue." Even during pivotal moments where emotions should run high, the characters barely raise their voices by 30%, failing to convey the necessary depth of feeling. While it could have been an intentional decision to differentiate the two films, it was ultimately a poor one. Furthermore, the female lead also speaks in the same monotonous manner.

If enduring two lifeless characters engaged in dull, heavy dialogue wasn't enough, the absence of a compelling soundtrack exacerbates the issue. I kid you not, the first 30 minutes of the film consist of NPC interactions against near-complete silence. While we often take sound design for granted, it becomes painfully apparent when you sit through ten minutes of dialogue without any accompanying music. By the time I reached the one-hour mark, it felt as though two hours had already elapsed.

At this juncture, it's difficult not to delve into a rant. The characters lacked depth, the plot failed to captivate, and meaningful themes were sorely absent. Despite being advertised as a standalone movie, "Red" stands as one of the worst films I've encountered recently when viewed independently. Disregard everything you've heard – "Red" cannot be watched on its own. It merely serves as a setup for "Blue," but does so in a remarkably disappointing fashion.

Conclusion

Unfortunately, "Red" falls short in various aspects, including lackluster voice acting, a glaring absence of a compelling soundtrack, and uninteresting characters and plot. While it serves as an exposition dump for its counterpart, "Blue," it fails to stand on its own as a satisfying standalone film. Its reliance on "Blue" undermines its individual merit, making it a disappointing watch.

However, it is highly worth recommending the combined viewing experience of both films. Despite the flaws, the clever overlapping of the two plots adds an intriguing layer to the story. The true enjoyment of "Red" and "Blue" lies not in their individual entertainment value, but in piecing together the puzzle they create when watched together.