wizz-o-matic
05-30-2005, 08:54 AM
Title: Windaria
English title: Once Upon A Time
Jap. kanji: ウインダリア
Synonyms: Windaria: Legend of Fabulous Battle
Genre: Action, Drama, Fantasy, Romance
Type: movie
Year: 1986
Companies: (Idol / Kaname Productions)
Plot:
Two pairs of young lovers become embroiled in a war between two rival kingdoms, the primitive but resplendent Isa and the militaristic but undisciplined Paro. Izu and his young wife, Marin, are simple farmers who live in the unassuming village of Saki, which lies directly between Isa and Paro. While Saki does not have the beauty of Isa nor the war machines of Paro, they do possess a magnificent tree known as "Windaria," to which the villagers give their prayers in return for "good memories." When the war erupts, Izu decides to join Paro’s army, enthralled by the fantastic motorbike "given" to him as a bribe. Before he departs, they each take a vow: He will definitely return to her, and until he does, she will wait for him. The other two lovers are Jill, the prince of Paro, and Ahanas, Princess of Isa. They initially want nothing to do with the rapidly escalating conflict, but after Jill`s father, Paro`s king, dies by his son’s hand in an altercation over the war, Jill has little choice but to realize his father’s final wish: the taking of Isa. The only problem is that he had promised his beloved, Ahanas, that he would not become involved. Windaria is a war parable set in a fantasy land of unicorns and ghost ships.
Story (10/10):
Windaria - a huge tree that, by the saying of the villagers brings only good memories to all people living there. Although, in the end, the last battle of the 2 kingdoms has taken place under it.
The story is divided in 2 synchronous parts. The 1st one talks about the love between the heirs (Ahnas and Jill) of the 2 kingdoms (Itha and Paro), and their war; the 2nd about a farmer, divided between the 2 kingdoms. Both stories are quite sad and dramatic, that's what makes this movie great. Not a classic "live in happiness for the rest of their lives" story.
Art/Animation (9/10):
No big, shiny eyes, huge, colorful hairstyles ... the animation is quite simple but good. Like all of the old animation style (like Study Gihbli style).
The chars and the scenery are quite good drawn. ^_^
Characters (9/10):
A great movie won’t be so great without great chars xD. Although, I kinda thought that Izu (the farmer guy) was a bit stupid at the start (actually, he was xD) he matured quite well during the story.
Jill (prince of Paro), divided between the love for Ahnas and his parents, between history of his kingdom and the current time. Firstly he didn't agree with the war but in the end, due to his obligation as the new king and the history of his kingdom he continues the war started by the former king.
Ahnas (princess of Itha), deep in love with Jill also against the war, she trust him but when she hears that Jill is in command of the army attacking Itha she takes the command of Itha's army.
Voice acting/Music (10/10):
The music is great; it fits with the animation and the story really well, at every time.
Also the char voices are good ^_^ no complaints about them
Overall (9/10):
I really liked the story, animation and everything else, but still, something was keeping me from giving a 10 to it. The story is great, but it doesn't leave a deep impression, at least not to me, I'm a fan of more complicated stories.
English title: Once Upon A Time
Jap. kanji: ウインダリア
Synonyms: Windaria: Legend of Fabulous Battle
Genre: Action, Drama, Fantasy, Romance
Type: movie
Year: 1986
Companies: (Idol / Kaname Productions)
Plot:
Two pairs of young lovers become embroiled in a war between two rival kingdoms, the primitive but resplendent Isa and the militaristic but undisciplined Paro. Izu and his young wife, Marin, are simple farmers who live in the unassuming village of Saki, which lies directly between Isa and Paro. While Saki does not have the beauty of Isa nor the war machines of Paro, they do possess a magnificent tree known as "Windaria," to which the villagers give their prayers in return for "good memories." When the war erupts, Izu decides to join Paro’s army, enthralled by the fantastic motorbike "given" to him as a bribe. Before he departs, they each take a vow: He will definitely return to her, and until he does, she will wait for him. The other two lovers are Jill, the prince of Paro, and Ahanas, Princess of Isa. They initially want nothing to do with the rapidly escalating conflict, but after Jill`s father, Paro`s king, dies by his son’s hand in an altercation over the war, Jill has little choice but to realize his father’s final wish: the taking of Isa. The only problem is that he had promised his beloved, Ahanas, that he would not become involved. Windaria is a war parable set in a fantasy land of unicorns and ghost ships.
Story (10/10):
Windaria - a huge tree that, by the saying of the villagers brings only good memories to all people living there. Although, in the end, the last battle of the 2 kingdoms has taken place under it.
The story is divided in 2 synchronous parts. The 1st one talks about the love between the heirs (Ahnas and Jill) of the 2 kingdoms (Itha and Paro), and their war; the 2nd about a farmer, divided between the 2 kingdoms. Both stories are quite sad and dramatic, that's what makes this movie great. Not a classic "live in happiness for the rest of their lives" story.
Art/Animation (9/10):
No big, shiny eyes, huge, colorful hairstyles ... the animation is quite simple but good. Like all of the old animation style (like Study Gihbli style).
The chars and the scenery are quite good drawn. ^_^
Characters (9/10):
A great movie won’t be so great without great chars xD. Although, I kinda thought that Izu (the farmer guy) was a bit stupid at the start (actually, he was xD) he matured quite well during the story.
Jill (prince of Paro), divided between the love for Ahnas and his parents, between history of his kingdom and the current time. Firstly he didn't agree with the war but in the end, due to his obligation as the new king and the history of his kingdom he continues the war started by the former king.
Ahnas (princess of Itha), deep in love with Jill also against the war, she trust him but when she hears that Jill is in command of the army attacking Itha she takes the command of Itha's army.
Voice acting/Music (10/10):
The music is great; it fits with the animation and the story really well, at every time.
Also the char voices are good ^_^ no complaints about them
Overall (9/10):
I really liked the story, animation and everything else, but still, something was keeping me from giving a 10 to it. The story is great, but it doesn't leave a deep impression, at least not to me, I'm a fan of more complicated stories.