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In Theaters Now
- 2024
- PG
- Netflix
- 1 h 45 m
- 2024
- PG
- Netflix
- 1 h 45 m
Summary Born from a young girl's imagination, Rudger (voiced by Kokoro Terada) is a boy no one can see who lives in a world where imaginations can live – and be eaten by others. The Imaginary is an extraordinarily touching and beautiful hand-drawn fantasy film in which Rudger and his new friends in “The Town of The Imaginaries” embark on an adve...
Directed By: Yoshiyuki Momose
Written By: Yoshiaki Nishimura, A.F. Harrold, Emily Gravett
In Theaters Now
- 2024
- PG
- Netflix
- 1 h 45 m
- 2024
- PG
- Netflix
- 1 h 45 m
The Imaginary
66
6.8
Where to Watch
Summary Born from a young girl's imagination, Rudger (voiced by Kokoro Terada) is a boy no one can see who lives in a world where imaginations can live – and be eaten by others. The Imaginary is an extraordinarily touching and beautiful hand-drawn fantasy film in which Rudger and his new friends in “The Town of The Imaginaries” embark on an adve...
Directed By: Yoshiyuki Momose
Written By: Yoshiaki Nishimura, A.F. Harrold, Emily Gravett
Where to Watch
Top Cast
Metascore
Generally Favorable
Based on 18 Critic Reviews
66
61% Positive
11 Reviews
11 Reviews
39% Mixed
7 Reviews
7 Reviews
0% Negative
0 Reviews
0 Reviews
Metascore
Generally Favorable
Based on 18 Critic Reviews
66
61% Positive
11 Reviews
11 Reviews
39% Mixed
7 Reviews
7 Reviews
0% Negative
0 Reviews
0 Reviews
The Imaginary is an enchanting tale in which reality clashes with imagination in a battle to determine which is more powerful
By Cindy White
FULL REVIEW
The Imaginary may not be a standout in the rich and wide-ranging oeuvre of its makers, but it is a moving and charming testament to the delights of dreaming.
By Rebecca Liu
FULL REVIEW
User Score
Generally Favorable
Based on 9 User Ratings
6.8
67% Positive
6 Ratings
6 Ratings
22% Mixed
2 Ratings
2 Ratings
11% Negative
1 Rating
1 Rating
User Score
Generally Favorable
Based on 9 User Ratings
6.8
67% Positive
6 Ratings
6 Ratings
22% Mixed
2 Ratings
2 Ratings
11% Negative
1 Rating
1 Rating
Catnip for Studio Ghibli fans. Studio Ghibli 2.0. The best hand-drawn animation I can recall anywhere since Spirited Away. Like many fantasy movies, this one gets tied up in making many new logical rules, then breaking them, leading to viewer confusion. Fortunately the gorgeous hand-drawn animation is delicious, the character models and discrete use of computer imaging of cars moving and so on is endlessly delightful no matter how the plot gets tangled in its own confusion.
If you want to see this theme handled the best it has ever been handled, look at Disney's Return to Oz (1985). It's the movie most coherent and psychologiclaly accurate depiction of a child healing thru use of her own imagination. #2 movie on this theme is perhaps The Neverending Story.
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A notorious example of how powerful the inventiveness of children is, and that of fictional friends. Anyone who hasn't had one is either lying or didn't have a childhood. One of the best Netflix proposals for all ages.
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You get wrapped up in the whimsy of it all just before it all hits you like a truck, finding plenty of resonant emotional flashbacks that contextualize and deepen the experience just in time for the conclusion.
The movie falters periodically under the weight of its own dream logic, which can be hard to follow or flimsily constructed as the story gains momentum. But it’s mostly easy to move past those flaws in a work of such rich magical realism and heart.
With no Ghibli film in the offing (although My Neighbor Totoro is getting a UK cinema re-release in August), The Imaginary is an often delightful way to fill the anime gap.
There are moments of genuine magic that make you wonder what this movie could have been. But do they linger like that imaginary friend you’ll never forget? In this case, perhaps not.
Despite being a story about a world full of imagination and incredible adventures, the narrative moves slowly, hoping to succeed thanks to the animation.
By Ben Gibbons
FULL REVIEW
As animações japonesas continuam fascinantes, e após a desastrosa produção norte-americana "If", que versa sobre o mesmo tema de amigos imaginários, temos essa simpática animação aqui, com personagens pra lá de simpáticos e cativantes. Centrando em como os amigos imaginários são criações fadadas ao esquecimento,pssagens como o refúgio de um punhado deles em uma biblioteca (lugar de sonhos infinitos) é um al´´ivio e uma lição muito interessante aos pequenos, ao mesmo tempo que resgata o já batido sonho de criança em personagens adultos. Com um acidente que deixa tudo tão pesado mas ao mesmo tempo lírico, é uma pena que o filme se entregue à correria habitual de um enlatado Netflix, mas ainda assim consegue ser acima da média.
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'The Imaginary' is an animation that tackles significant themes, such as the process of dealing with grief and loneliness, with stunning visual aesthetics and a richly conceived imaginary universe full of charismatic characters.However, the main point of criticism regarding 'The Imaginary' lies in its narrative pace. At times, the plot seems to kick into gear, only to lose momentum, making the movie drag. This is partly due to the narrative failing to establish an emotional connection with the characters and the plot itself, which could explore the themes of mourning and loneliness in more depth, promoting a deeper identification with the audience and awakening empathy for the **** work leaves the feeling of an underused opportunity, especially as it comes from a relatively new studio - Ponoc, founded by former Studio Ghibli professionals. With its partnership with Netflix, Ponoc could have put its studio in the spotlight, taking advantage of its indisputable visual quality, provided it incorporated a more humanized approach into its animations, aiming to establish emotional connections and empathy with the characters. Otherwise, it runs the risk of becoming a visually beautiful work that lacks emotional depth.
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Way too creepy for children, way too random for adults. It's always about the learning "dealing wih the past, grow up" in these movies.
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Awards
Annecy International Animated Film Festival
• 1 Nomination