Jack et le Haricot magique

This is simply the best movie I have ever seen. It captured me when I watched it as a 10 year old boy, and hasn't aged (or I haven't).

It puzzles me that this truly amazing film was very difficult to obtain (for a long time at least). Made by an obscure Japanese director never heard of again.

When I saw it the first time as a boy, I constantly thought that story was too good to be true - for my personal expectations of how good a story could be that is - and was anxious and convinced, that either the movie would end prematurely, the princess die, or some other let-down would take place at some point, because it was setting itself up just too high to carry through. But it did.

(If I had to nitpick, changing the mice back into their human form was less than ideally 'cast', but then these characters only were there for a few seconds, so can't expect it to be perfect I guess)

A young boy named Jack climbs a giant beanstalk and stumbles upon a city in the clouds ruled by an evil queen.

I have never really enjoyed anime. Some is alright, but even the hugely successful and popular films just do not really resonate with me. This one is different. The animation is certainly interesting, with only the princes really looking like what I expect from Japanese artists. So that helps, that multiple styles were used.

But this is also just so clever. Taking a classic tale, adding in music and lyrics, and a bit of a mystical twist. This is less about stealing fro ma giant than about saving a kingdom. Can "a simple farm boy" handle the task?

Me and my brother (see Footplex's entry) have loved this movie for years and will continue to do so.

~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~* WATCH THE MOVIE BEFORE READING THIS REVIEW

The imagery is amazing: despite the fact I've seen this movie well over 30 times the final confrontation between Madam Hekuba (sic) and Jack, never fails to leave me in awe. Also the Preparation for the wedding with the paper guests (watch it to know what I'm talking about).

The music: The haunting sweetness of the song "no one's happier than I"* Stays with you for days on end. And also Madam Hekuba's "any sort of clock"*.

But when the 2 elements come together they work magic: The frightening "Are you happy?"* sung by the paper minister as the Bride and Groom contemplate their futures together. Crosby singing to the beanstalk. And "Miracles can happen"* when the plant raises to the sky is breath taking.

This film is wonderful, but the only down points I can see is when Jack has the songs i.e. the (far to silly) "Tulip."* And Jacks song "Simple Farmer Boy"* and "All of it is due to me."* It seemed as though his songs were thrown in to try and lighten the darkness of the film.

But because of the GREAT story the wonderful songs and..... interesting use of sound effects and dubbing I give this film a 100 out of 10 (i know it's not mathematically possible but this is MY review)

*I don't know what the official titles for these songs are so I took a guess.

This Japanese animated film directed by Gisaburo Sugii was released originally in 1974, and although the animation has aged over the years it still manages to be genuinely sinister and rather unsettling for young children. Personally, my overly-active imagination ran riot with fear after watching this when i was little. I recently came across a VHS copy of it in a second hand shop and after watching it again, i realized that it still manages to give me shudders now. The plot is relatively the same as the original story, however at the top of the beanstalk Jack encounters an enchanted castle inhabited the Princess Margaret, who is betrothed to the giant, Prince Tulip the son of the most frightening witch since the wicked witch of the West, the evil sorceress Hecuba ( who has a penchant for eating children!)and who has placed Margaret under a powerful spell. Jack is aided by his pet dog Crosby and a gaggle of enchanted mice who were former courtiers of the castle,to break the spell placed upon the castle and Margaret, whilst still finding time to find the goose that lays the golden eggs, and talking harp and as well as other castle riches! There are a number of songs scattered throughout the film too, including Margarets ballad " Nobody's happier than i". It features some classic Japanese animation and some truly sinister set-pieces, the scene in the wedding chapel in which Hecuba makes guests out of paper gave me chills when i was little as did her original entrance. Its creepy and worth seeking out.

it's strange when you find that you have the same story as so many other people. especially when something is so rare like this movie. but yes i must admit that i too got the chance to view an old recorded copy of this film when i was much younger, years and years ago. this was actually in a daycare i went to. and as i eventually left, so did my chance at viewing the movie. that is until like 10 years later when i searched and searched and managed to get my hands on an old rental copy. id never been happier.

this movie is insane. by insane i mean the presence it gives off when you watch it. the animation is brilliant and has a definite japanimation feel, yet is something unique. the characters and series of events are probably the most creative in any adaption of anything I've seen. and id forgotten how entrancing the music is until i finally watched it again after all those years. its strange when something actually sticks into your mind so firmly when you are so young. things usually just pass by and your attention isn't as focused. but there is just something about this movie really penetrates the mind. even when you're older. this movie honestly wipes the floor with Disney.