Every aspect of “The Boy and the Heron” is a masterpiece.
From the astonishing soundtrack to the amazing plot and stunning visuals, Hayao Miyazaki‘s final film before retirement is a masterpiece. The movie keeps you on the edge of your seat and is the perfect mix of cozy but also action-filled that makes you think.
The movie was originally released in Japan under the name “How Do You Live?” from the novel “How Do You Live?” by Genzaburo Yoshino, but in the English release is changed to “The Boy and the Heron”. The film shares the same name as the novel in the Japanese release due to the inspiration Hayao Miyazaki took from the novel and the connection between the film and the novel. Despite the differences between the book and the movie that was inspired by it they are both beautiful pieces of artistry that everyone should look into.
Like all of Hayao Miyazaki’s Studio Ghibli films, this one also has a deeper meaning. Throughout the movie, it emphasizes the inevitability of death not just for people but for entire worlds and institutions. Along with another meaning about the fact that change is an unstoppable force and you can’t resist the passing of time no matter how hard one tries, and that one must learn to accept change and move into the future with past burdens and loss. Even more important was what this movie meant to director Hayao Miyazaki, he made this movie as a beautiful world and a lesson to leave to his grandson due to the fact that he is old and does not have much time left so he will sadly not get to know his grandson as he grows up.
In the movie, Miyazaki captures the full idea of the unending and inevitable cycle between life and death through the different reality our main character is pulled into due to his bloodline. The movie as a whole seems like a whimsical fever dream with a dark undertone that keeps you guessing throughout.
In “The Boy and the Heron” the meaning isn’t the only beautiful thing though; the soundtrack and visuals are absolutely breathtaking and left me amazed at the end of the film. The main composer for the movie is Joe Hisaishi, who also composed many of the soundtracks for other Studio Ghibli works. The movie would not be nearly as influential and have nearly as much personality and meaning to it without the amazing soundtrack. The music has a sense of intimate adventure and brightness to it that makes the film like none other, and pairing the majestic music with the gorgeous artistry during emotional scenes truly creates the masterpiece that “The Boy and the Heron” is.
My personal favorite song in the movie is “Ask Me Why” which is a beautiful piano piece that really pulls at your heartstrings, and if I could choose a favorite scene I definitely would but they were all so stunning there is no way I can choose a favorite.
Every aspect of “The Boy and the Heron” was truly amazing and a masterpiece, to say the least. Hayao Miyazaki did a phenomenal job on his final film which is one of the most beautiful Studio Ghibli films I have ever seen. Between the soundtrack, the visuals, and the meaning, I truly think there is something for everyone in this film.
