The Place Promised in Our Early Days
Synopsis
Hiroki Fujisawa and Takuya Shirakawa harbor admiration for two things in their life: their classmate Sayuri Sawatari and the vast Ezo Tower that stands boundlessly across the Tsugaru Strait. Fascinated by the limitless structure beyond their reach, Hiroki and Takuya begin constructing an aeroplane from a fallen drone they discovered—naming it the Bella Ciela—to fulfill their dream of one day reaching the sky-scraping top of the tower. Later joined by the girl they love, Hiroki and Takuya promise Sayuri to fly with her to the seemingly otherworldly top together. However, Japan has suffered a North-South partitioning that has fueled conflict near the base of the tower, which marks the border between the America-controlled Southern islands and the Northern lands occupied by the Soviet Union. Further along, Sayuri suddenly disappears, and Hiroki and Takuya never see her again. Unbeknownst to them, she fell victim to a sleeping disorder that left her comatose for the past three years. Although Hiroki and Takuya later learn about Sayuri's condition, they also discover that the girl's unconscious state is oddly linked to the same tower the trio had promised to conquer together. [Written by MAL Rewrite]
Audience Consensus
Audience opinions on 'Kumo no Mukou, Yakusoku no Basho' are mixed. While the film is praised for its stunning visuals and evocative music, many find the plot confusing, the characters underdeveloped, and the pacing slow. The film's emotional impact varies, with some viewers connecting deeply with the themes of friendship and love, while others find the storytelling superficial.
Strengths
- Stunning visuals and backgrounds with great attention to detail, lighting, and color palettes.
- Beautiful and emotionally resonant music score that enhances the mood.
- Exploration of themes like long-distance relationships, friendship, and the impact of time.
- Strong artistic direction that creates a unique and memorable viewing experience.
Weaknesses
- Slow pacing that can lead to boredom and a lack of engagement.
- Underdeveloped characters with superficial relationships and unclear motivations.
- Poorly explained plot with confusing sci-fi elements and a lack of focus.
- Over-reliance on internal monologue and expository dialogue.
- Pacing issues, moving too fast and too slow at the same time.