L'Imaginaire

I heard about this movie a couple of days ago and I decided to give it a watch, knowing nothing about the plot and I will say that this movie was amazing.

Positives for The Imaginary (2024): First of all, being that this is an anime fantasy movie, you know that the animation in this movie is going to look gorgeous especially given that it's hand-drawn animation and this type of animation is my personal favorite. I loved how the world of Imaginaries was being visualized in this movie and in a year where there have been three movies about imaginary friends with Blumhouse's Imaginary and IF, this movie stands out as being the best out of these three movies. I loved all of the characters in the movie and I cared about the journey that these Imaginaries go on. Honestly, watching this movie made me feel like a kid again and all of the emotions that come with that are phenomenal.

Mixed for The Imaginary (2024): The way that the plot plays out is very predictable and you know exactly how the conflict is going to be resolved by the end of the runtime, but thankfully I was enjoying my time of being emersed in this world.

Overall, The Imaginary (2024) is one of the most splendid animated movies that I've watched in a while and that's saying a lot given that I'm an adult. However, I still continue to get a kick out of watching animated movies and that's not going to change for me at all.

Studio Ponic ain't no Studio Ghibli for sure but it's visual atmosphere and interesting concept does wave away a mighty blast and engagement for children and families. Filled with amazing animation, character designs, and colorful structures, the concept about children's imagination and the allegory surrounding them is interesting and while it's writing is convoluted, it's ambitious direction holds up and carries away with magic and some spark.

The characters and settings are interesting but I found myself being more invested with the supporting characters rather than the main lead and I wish the movie had a bit more focus on the supporting characters instead. Alongside with some great voice performances, dialogue, and pacing.

All in all, this isn't going to be the same as Ghibli but I am looking forward to see what Ponic offers next.

Studio Ponoc is a studio that have some of the staff from Ghibli studio. The films that they made prior to "The Imaginary" have the essence of the magic that encapsulate the spirit of Ghibli. It's like a love child of Ghibli, growing up and make their own steps. The Imaginary is a testament of that fact. The ratings doesn't do justice to the quality this film exudes: Top tier animation, beautiful sceneries, touching story, and magical sentiment throughout. I watched from start to finish and I cannot think of one thing to complain about this film. Granted, i wasn't expecting anything to top the masterpiece Ghibli delivers over the years prior to watching this, but trust me, just turn off your judgmental brain, let the imagination runs wild, and have fun watching this beautiful film.

This sure seems like it belongs in the same universe as Happy! That Imaginary blue donkey. Which was dark, but amazing.

This too. Is dark and amazing. Same plot as Happy too, pretty much.

Just a couple of things keep it from being perfect. THe boy talking at the beginning is super annoying. Just repeating the same line over and over again. 2. Its dark. Very Dark for an animated film.

And the worst thing about this movie is the ending. After all that...reconnecting with BingBon and everything and the characters talk about how this will be their final adventure? But why. This practically ruins the entire rest of the film. It doesnt make any sense within the context of the movie. It just happens for no reason.

Reminds me a lot of Happy, paprika, Studio Ghiibli.

The sheer number of ideas this film has is, on its own merit, stunning, not to mention the animation and music!

The characters are so vivid and likeable. From scene one, I was grabbed and rooting for the characters. The villain is spine-chilling and has a truly classic dark feel. Mr. Bunting (the villain) has such a great dark mirror side to the story that brings the movie a great edge.

The way the film explores its concepts of imagination rightfully so has its own leaps of imagination poured into them. And wonderfully enough, I never felt like we had an overabundance of world-building or over-explanations... everything fit just right.

A truly captivating movie that I will absolutely be watching again. Genuine animation magic.