by Shane Conto, Staff Writer
What a year for anime making the leap to the US it has been! There was the steampunk fantasy Poupelle of Chimney Town,which had plenty of heart as we see a young boy and his new machine pal start an ambitious rebellion. There is the tech adaptation called Belle,which gives a modern twist on the classic tale of Beauty and the Beast. Even Bubble,which popped up on Netflix which was a parkour adventure mixed with romance made a splash. Plenty of variety, but equally as bold in their fresh takes on classic genres and tales.
Does the latest film from GKIDS make that leap? Here is The Deer King. This new fantasy tells the story of a man and his adopted daughter tackling a strange disease and a strong power of nature. When it comes to fantasy, animation (especially anime) makes some amazing leaps forward. Directors Masashi Ando and Masayuki Miyaji create a strikingly beautiful world that comes to life on screen. With nature at its center, it needs to capture that beauty to get the audience’s buy-in. Every frame of this film is gorgeous, and it reaches into some bold action and visuals to create an impactful and exciting adventure.
Coming from GKIDS, does The Deer King keep things mild so the whole family can enjoy it? Ando and Miyaji certainly push some boundaries that might make that a bit iffy. From the start, we witness a brutal confrontation between a wolf and our lead, as there is mutilation and blood, leading to a near-death encounter. We even see what a wolf might do with a baby. There are other elements of the film that incorporate some poignant, but brutal visuals that might push this one over the edge for some. But the stark and blunt tone and tense presentation help elevate this fantastical journey.
Does this one stand out in a vast world of fantasy cinema? There are some elements that might be a bit too familiar. From a visual standpoint, there are some elements and ways some bad entities are portrayed that might remind some fans a bit too much of the Ghibli classic, Princess Mononoke. That trendsetting film certainly leaves a stamp on The Deer King. This one never rises to the challenge of meeting or surpassing that classic, but it delivers a strong effort. There might even be some derivative fantasy elements that are glaring (some of which were obviously utilized in major projects like Game of Thrones). From a viewing standpoint as well, that two-hour film might be too long in the tooth and would have benefited from a streamlined approach. This would have sped up the pacing as well, which can be an issue in the middle bits of the film.
But where does this adventure soar for the audience? The visuals were already mentioned, but it is worth reinforcing that the third act of this film is bold and engaging with the visual choices made by the filmmakers in conveying this story. The pseudo-father-daughter relationship in the film is deep at the heart of it all. Their journey together from such a horrific beginning is quite endearing. You will find it hard to not root for this duo as they confront this disease, the human conflict of the land, and the differing paths that they will find their ways to. The world building and mythology constructed around this story are impressive. The film makes it so that you just might never want to leave this beautiful and exciting world.
Are you ready for the magical journey of The Deer King? This high fantasy does world building and overarching narrative so well. The core relationship is something special as well. Where the film falters is the weaker characterization elsewhere, the lagging pace, and an over-stretched story. But those elements are nowhere near the enjoyment ending roles they could have been filling. This is an exciting venture for those who long for new fantasy worlds and adventures to explore.
Score: 7/10
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