[Live Action DVD] Mushishi Movie

[Chris Beveridge]

Review by Chris Beveridge

Mania Grade: B
* Audio Rating: B+
* Video Rating: B
* Packaging Rating: B
* Menus Rating: B
* Extras Rating: B
* Age Rating: 13 and Up
* Region: 1 - North America
* Released By: FUNimation Entertainment, Ltd.
* MSRP: 24.98
* Running time: 131
* Aspect Ratio: 1.78:1 Anamorphic Widescreen
* Disc Resolution: 480i/p
* Disc Encoding: MPEG-2
* Series: Mushishi

In Summary:
Mushi-shi does a very good job of adapting the original source material into a soothing and atmospheric movie that captures everything that it should. Otomo has a good sense of direction and pacing for it, the style is just right if a bit underplayed with the mushi and Odagiri nails the role of Ginko. That said, it’s not my favorite version of the material by any stretch. In fact, I far prefer the anime over the original manga which left me feeling rather disinterested in it. The anime for me is given more time to explore the wonders, allows for more quiet thoughtful moments that reflect Ginko and his approach to the world of mushi and puts Ginko more into the proper role that he should have – that of an observer. In the film, because a hefty chunk focuses on how he came to be who he is and the results of it in the finale, removes that observer role significantly. It’s all well done but it’s not the Ginko that I’ve been familiar with. This is certainly worth seeing and owning for fans of the other versions of it and anything that gets a bit more money back into the hands of the original creator is good in my eyes. But for my money, the TV series will be long remembered for its haunting and atmospheric moments while this movie will be forgotten over time.