The Place Promised In Our Early Days

Makoto Shinkai's The Place Promised In Our Early Days (2004) is the second film I've seen from the director (5 Centimeters per Second being the first; I loved it). The same melancholic tone and gorgeous imagery are featured this time as well, but the story is something different. The fragmented storytelling doesn't focus on a single theme - instead it goes a bit "all over the place". The film opens with a portrayal of three school kids' friendship as they prepare their own airplane to fly to the "Tower" - a mysterious building on the other side of the nation's border, something unreachable.

While the writing still packs a punch on an emotional level, Shinkai can't hold the film together at a few moments. The ramblings on multiple universes (on top of other confusing plot elements) and somewhat aimless (and weird) plot development hinder the film a bit too much. Visually the film is stunning in all aspects: editing, compositions, background art and character design are impeccable. Shinkai's editing is very similar to that of Hideaki Anno's - almost to the point of being an imitation. Luckily, it's a good imitation.

The Place Promised In Our Early Days is a solid and beautiful film and manages to deliver a great viewing experience despite its flaws.

Score: 8 out of 10