Forum - View topicThe Bomb That Wanted to Stop Exploding: Reze's Impossible Freedom in Chainsaw Man – The Movie
|
|
| Author | Message | ||
|---|---|---|---|
kufirst
 Posts: 87 Location: Kansas |
|
||
|
Great review! I felt much the same and believed the movie really touched upon a lot of great things that make us human in an inhuman world. It helped the film transcend to a level that makes it rewarding for anyone who simply enjoys good storytelling and character growth for its own sake and not just because it's a small piece that fits into the larger Chainsaw Man puzzle. Definitely one of the best anime films of the year.
|
|||
|
|||
|
jdnation
Posts: 2504 |
|
||
|
The essay feels... "overthought."
Not invalid, if those are the ideas that spring to mind when you watch it, then it's all good; but there is no indication that Fujimoto or the director put as much emphasis on much of what is brought up. It would be harder to discuss without getting into spoilers of future content, so I'll refrain, but it must be noted that the Reze arc does set up many things to be revealed and unfold in future arcs. Added animation direction also smartly foreshadows much. The Reze arc does properly bookend Season 1 though, so I was disappointed Season 1 didn't adapt it. While there is a focus on Reze, it's still a story about Denji, and also Aki, continuing from Season 1, and the Reze arc fundamentally developmentally changes who Denji and Aki are compared from the start of the story - Denji changes from all he has gained, Aki changes from all he has lost - And Reze herself also undergoes her own transformation in like fashion simply from one encounter. Reze is a mirror of Denji. They are both broken characters, yet very spontaneous and easy going, and both rightfully categorized as crazy; just the sort of people who'd excel at the devil hunter profession and business, as Kishibe described. They are "perfect" for each other. While Reze obviously values other bystander people's lives far less than Denji, she is closer to normality than Denji. But she is also a "soldier" from childhood and can separate herself professionally given the weapon that is a part of her. Rage Against the Machine's "Calm like a Bomb" best describes Reze - she is cool and easy going, but when finally dropped... WATCH OUT!!! The imagery of airplanes (which drop bombs) and falling raindrops landing on her iris centers were excellent. The plane ominiously approaching overhead in the storm when her real mission begins, and it's far away departure during calm sunrise blue skies by the ocean after she has lost is awesome! The comparison to Black Widow is close, except that it is not implied that the children were all girls (not that the essay claims so), and viewers might well obviously surmise that Chainsaw, Katana, and Bomb are not the only people around with such abilities. The film, like Shinkai's works, as mentioned, makes great thematic use of weather. It's sunny and calm when Denji and Reze are in the moment. There is indeed a shared attraction. Reze also genuinely sympathazies with Denji without letting on. It is likely that she has been studying her subject and filling in with her role at the cafe for some time. Denji simply took the bait much quicker than expected. I don't see the story as anything to do with women specifically, nor is really about agency... yet... As noted, there is indeed a theme of power and control and manipulation going about, more relevant as the story continues. But the story here mostly emphasizes it's main focus through the country/city mouse contrasting narrative - safety and comfort vs. risk and reward. Or rather the path you are familiar with versus threading an unknown path. Reze was safest sticking to the life she knew. Denji was the same in his new life with public safety. The moment both Reze and Denji risked their lives to change together, she was caught, and he was left heartbroken, before it could even begin. But Makima even went further... implying that even the country mice in fact face danger and extermination, no different than the city ones. So, the idea that anyone ever "escapes" to safety (ironic, given the department she works for), is a fantasy. But from another angle, Reze and Denji are in their element in the city. They thrive better there as dangerous badasses than they ever would in the country in some mundane life. They are safest when they are on their toes, and in danger when they are relaxed, falling for women and loosening up around them has typically never worked well for Denji. Girls are the black widow spiders to him, as he himself maligns. We can safely conclude that it is love that finally motivated Reze, as I believe the flower she picks up and stares at in the station is one whose language symbolizes romantic thoughts, which tells us through artistic direction her feelings, though feelings alone aren't enough to overcome the risk, so there is a decisive moment to choose a different path and dream and risk it all. At the same time, so did Denji, making a choice to leave his "paradise" life under Makima to go on the run with Reze. His heart aligned with his body. Aki too, reached a pivitol decision through his actions, a moment that I feel ought to have been adapted better than the film handled it. Angel, in his own way returned the favor, understanding that Aki would be spared from potentially killing someone. He pitied a dying man, and did not want to increase his suffering. It'll be fun to revisit the Reze Arc again after Season 2 ends. Rewatching or re-reading Chainsaw-Man with foresight of things to come absolutely makes it one of the best of it's genre! Some reported IP filings apparently indicate that Mappa is moving to Season 2 production, which I think will be lengthier and fully adapt Part 1. I can't wait! |
|||
|
|||
 |
All times are GMT - 5 Hours |
|
|
|
Powered by phpBB © 2001, 2005 phpBB Group