Fireworks

Fireworks is a 2017 animated romantic drama movie directed by Akiyuki Shinbo and Nobuyuki Takeuchi. The movie is based on the 1993 Japanese live-action television play of the same name by Shunji Iwai. This theatrical adaptation blends elements of romance, drama, and magical realism, offering audiences a visually captivating narrative. The movie stars the voices of hugely popular Japanese actors such as Suzu Hirose, Masaki Suda, and Mamoru Miyano.

In Fireworks, the daytime appears dull and ordinary, but as night falls, reality transforms through the lens of magical realism into a breathtaking panorama of shimmering hues. The movie’s narrative is centered around Norimichi Shimada (Masaki Suda) and Nazuna Oikawa (Suzu Hirose), two high school students, whose lives catapult into a series of events that forms the core of the story and leads them on an unforgettable journey.

Norimichi Shimada is an average student, and a member of the school's swim club along with his spirited friend, Yusuke Azumi (Mamoru Miyano). On the other side, Nazuna Oikawa, a quiet and enigmatic girl, is dealing with the struggles of her home life. The relationship between Norimichi and Nazuna lies at the crossroads of friendship and love, making the narrative poignant and heartwarming. But it’s not just a typical high-school romance; the storyline deftly deals with themes of destiny, time, and choices.

An integral part of the storyline is a local summer festival where the characters plan to determine whether fireworks are flat or round when viewed from the side. This seemingly innocent argument influences the narrative, adding an intriguing element of mystical fantasy to the events that follow. This quest beautifully illustrates the movie's central theme - the obsession with perspective and perception, and how it shapes our understanding of reality.

The charm of Fireworks lies in its elegant mix of reality and fantasy, acknowledging how our perception of reality can be swayed by the beauty and emotion of our experiences. The mesmerizing fireworks, apart from being integral to the plot, also act as metaphors in the story, symbolizing transient beauty, passion, and the characters' burgeoning emotions and desires.

The movie is further complemented with top-notch animation from Shaft and the musical score by Satoru Kosaki. The creative departments have meticulously created breathtaking visuals that evoke a dream-like, ethereal atmosphere. Every scene, especially those involving the actual fireworks, are not only a feast for the eyes but also packed with symbolic interpretations. The beautiful mélange of color, light, and shadow perfectly captures the ephemeral nature of youth and the poignant yearning of first love, making it visually stimulating and emotionally resonant for the audience. The captivating soundtrack, coupled with the gorgeous visuals, heightens the emotional depth of the movie and propels the narrative forward.

Performances by the lead voice actors are excellent, with Hirose and Suda successfully infusing their respective characters with authentic emotions that resonate with the audience. Their chemistry effectively drives the narrative, ensuring viewers remain entirely engaged throughout. Supporting voice actor Miyano also delivers a commendable performance, adding depth to the character of Yusuke.

Besides being a visual journey of exhilarating moments and relatable emotions, Fireworks also touches upon deep existential subjects - What if one could change the past or the future? What is the nature of reality, and how do our decisions shape it? It's an exploration of the human desire to rectify mistakes and alter decisions, all framed within the light-hearted question – are fireworks round or flat?

The film's narrative structure and storyline may seem unconventional, challenging the viewer's perception of reality and time. Yet, it remains a deeply intriguing and emotionally rich movie that aside from stimulating the audience's senses with its stunning visual spectacle, also resonates with them through its universal themes and relatable characters.

Fireworks can be a thrilling experience for those who appreciate an aesthetically pleasing combination of animation, emotion, and narrative depth. It is a fascinating exploration of adolescent love, the fleeting nature of time, and a metaphorical representation of one of life's most fundamental notions - perception. The film manages to weave all these elements together beautifully to create an unforgettable spectacle captured against the vibrancy of a summer sky lit up by fireworks.