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| 3. Olmanek
 
It plays somewhat on the idea that pain isn't entirely unforgiving,
time allows for change and constancy without excluding either, some things dull
and others remain strong. Obviously a very optimistic
movie, and much more so in comparison to "I want to return to that day"
which was probably the most emotionally brutal movie I've ever encountered, here
we are offered a future some 3 and 6 years into the future, as time travel is
a part of the story it isn't just set in one year, the storyline itself is actually
really somewhat inconsequential as fans of the series would be far more interested
in the character developments rather than the storyline, which really appears
only to be there to justify the characters all meeting up again. Now
onto what is most bothersome, whether it should be watched should you have seen
"I want to return to that day", personally I don't mind this
movie because I watched it about half a year after watching the original series
the OAV's and the first movie, as such the feeling and atmosphere of those is
amassed together, so this movie felt detached to that and didn't diminish any
of those in any way, which is also what I would recommend others do should they
be given the opportunity. As an addition to the chain it isn't so bad, this was
I assume created to give viewers a placating addition, but it also acts as an
interesting look into the future of the characters which fans have grown attached
too, there are quite a few moments in this movie which I thought were really very
touching and explained why the actions of the characters in this movie are plausible,
and, in some way, I think help us to appreciate the behaviour of the characters
in the series OAV's and original movie, it's all very subtle, so much so you'd
nearly overlook it, but that may have been intentional. The animation style has
changed, but that's to be expected as this was made years after the originals,
the characters all still feel quite the same though, their outer appearance has
changed a bit but nothing radical, and their personalities are what I'd expect
them to be. A movie which I can't entirely recommend you watch as it really depends
on the individual as to whether they think they will enjoy it, but one which I
enjoyed. |
| 2. Prep_Styles
This movie essentially serves as an epilogue to the entire
Kimagure Orange Road story. After walking the Orange Road for as long as
I did I must admit that I was a little disappointed to see it end, and as a result
was looking forward to watching Summer's Beginning. Not because I was interested
in seeing more of the standard fair, but because after developing such a strong
sense of empathy for the characters I wanted to learn more of what became of them.
This movie provides a snapshot of where the main characters are some five years
after the previous movie. This however proves to be a double edged sword as although
it is interesting to see how the cast has grown up, it is unfortunate that this
production works to undermine the brilliant end featured in the first movie. I
realize that many KOR fans do not consider this movie to be apart of the
"true" continuity and wish that this film was never made. As to where
I stand on the issue I am unsure: I did, as mentioned before think that a production
to serve as a epilogue for the series was necessary however that is not to say
that this work had to undermine the ending that had come before. My
beliefs on the continuity between this film and the overall series aside, I should
point out that having been developed eight years after then previous installment
this feature utilizes more modern character designs and animation; frankly I'm
of the opinion that a major ingredient to the original's charm was its antiquated
designs and animation so this is by no means a welcome change for me. Despite
having a great deal of respect for the first KOR movie I am recommending
this to anyone who viewed the main television run as well as the original movie
provided that you won't be upset to learn that the tragic ending featured in I
want to return to that day is somewhat undermined. |
| 1. Cross
Scars
This final installment in the Kimagure Orange Road series
takes place several years after the first movie. It's based around a familiar
K.O.R. plot line - Kyosuke, now 19 years old, is thrown three years into
the future and he has to find a way to get back to his own time line. Summer's
Beginning was made in 1996, eight years after the first movie, and it shows
with much better animation and character designs that have also been updated too.
This in part reflects that the characters are years than when we last saw them
but the original designs, which viewers will have grown used to, had their own
80s charm which is somewhat a shame to have seen gone. But
the real problem with this movie is its plot. The creators seem to want a happier
ending than the first movie left us with. In doing so it tries to rebuild the
friendship between Hikaru, Ayukawa and Kyosuke, which the first movie had so carefully
and poignantly, deconstructed. The movie goes ahead with this but it seems very
unsatisfactory given the events that have occurred before. As such many K.O.R.
fans discount the events of this movie and prefer to believe that the series finished
at the end of the original movie. By itself the movie
is all right to watch, even if it's nothing K.O.R. Fans won't have seen
before, but watching it does ruin the slightly harsh, but very touching, ending
that the first movie so carefully crafted. Although not a bad movie it's one that
probably shouldn't have been made and it would have been better for the series
if K.O.R. had finished eight years earlier. |
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