Film Review: The Unknown World of “The Boy and the Beast"

Emily Holleran
For The Clock
ejholleran@plymouth.edu

While most audiences rushed to theatres to watch the widely advertised film “Zootopia”, there was another animated film about human-like animals, or in this case beasts, that lay hidden in the shadows.

“The Boy and the Beast” is the latest feature film from award-winning Japanese director Mamoru Hosoda. It was dubbed exceptionally well in English for its U.S. release on March 4.

The film tells a whimsical tale of a young orphaned boy named Ren (voiced by Luci Christian and Eric Vale) who runs away into the streets of Shibuya, located in Tokyo, Japan. He is taken in by a humanoid bear-like warrior named Kumatetsu (voiced by John Swasey).

Kumatetsu gives Ren the name Kyuta in the beast world. The beast world is called Jutengai, a world parallel to our own filled with curiously bipedal beasts.

The plot mostly revolves around The Lord of Jutengai’s competition.

He plans the competition to find a worthy replacement for himself before he ascends to god status, which is explained by brilliant artwork and narration in the first few minutes of the film.

The two competing candidates are complete opposites. The honorable boar beast, Iozen (voiced by Sean Hennigan), is obviously the better choice. He’s level-headed and has several apprentices and two promising sons.

Kumatetsu, on the other hand, is rough around the edges, and too lazy to establish a worthy reputation around Jutengai. He initially takes in Kyuta as an apprentice to boost his standing in the competition, but through many hilarious scenes of bickering and training, they find a family in each other.

Although the film is two hours long, there is not one moment that is slow or tedious. The strength of the characters tie the plot together, especially the dynamic between Kyuta and Kumatetsu. Even when Kyuta distances himself from Kumatetsu during the second half of the film, he continues to come to terms with the anger he holds for humanity ever since his mother’s death.

The animation is smooth, and the art is imaginative and breathtaking, in both the beast world and the human world. Hosoda doesn’t focus as much on the background characters, but more the backgrounds themselves, and rightfully so. Many of the settings in the film look so realistic, you can hear the distinct lyrics of J-pop in the iconic area of Shibuya Crossing.

Just when viewers become adjusted to the heartwarming experience of the film, it takes a plunge into emotional depths that no one can prepare their hearts for. Even though the latter half of the film feels a bit rushed because of this abrupt shift in tone, and the emergence of a predictable villain, the film ends with a content, wholesome feeling that remains in the soul.

Almost all animated filmmakers appeal to the childlike wonder that comes with making animated films centered on younger human’s emotions, but few are able to keep adult viewers equally engaged.

Hosoda manages to create a film, enjoyable for all ages, with enough action, comedy and hint of romance that makes “The Boy and the Beast” a movie that may not be well known to American audiences, but very well should be.

COURTESY PHOTO/blogs.indiewire.com