User reviews

To quote Wiki's summary, Hal movie's story takes place in a technologically advanced society in which robots can be programmed to behave like a complete human. A robot is asked to replace "Hal", who died in an accident, to help Kurumi, Hal's girlfriend move on in life. "Hal" struggles to understand the real Hal's past, Kurumi's affections towards Hal as well as the meaning of being alive.

To me, this is one of the more memorable sci-fi movies of 2013. The film does not appear to be particularly emotional and easy to watch. But it has its touching moments. What I like about this movie is it paints a very realistic approach on robot rehab (even though it is not a commercially viable technology at this time).

Much of my rating is skewed towards the greatest magic which lies in its very successful twist. Because that twist made this movie stood out amongst many other movies touching on rehab topics out there. Still, considering the subject matter, the movie is far from perfect, at least in my opinion knowing that the director had been involved in many other high profile anime works in the past (like Place promised in our early days, Attack on Titans etc)

Hal... It has been a long time since I watch a movie that by the end of it I said "Yhee I won't be able to find another one like this".

It's not amazing (I wouldn't put it on my top 5...) but it has some unique perspective how we can harness the power of the future to make good, and help people in a unique way. (very unique).

While not a long movie, you will be kept hook to the screen (I don't remember dead areas in the movie, or "black holes" that I skipped).

I must say it took me time to understand the end (don't worry not like Lost or The Matrix), but I like it, when a movie play with your mind and take you to a different path than when you thought.

To sum up, It is not the best movie I have ever seen, but it does require 2 - 2.5 hours to watch it. I do believe it worth watching (at least once) just to get a different (and ) unique perspective about the future and what may come.

At the beginning of the story I thought it was a story about a robot who falls in love with a human... but as I dived into the movie, I was mesmerized by the storyline, it got me completely hooked on. It was quite different from the other movies that I've seen so far and I can definitely say that it's one of my favourites for the all the emotions it made me go through throughout the movie. And I will be searching up for more anime with unique storylines like this.

There's something about Japanese animations and their unique storytelling, leaving quite an impression on anime lovers every single time.