Mary and the Witch’s Flower ★★★★☆
Synopsis: One day, while spending the summer with her great aunt, Mary follows an odd cat into the nearby woods. There she stumbles upon flowers which hold a strange, luminescent power that brings her ordinary broomstick to life - which then, in a heartbeat, whisks her above the clouds and off to a peculiar and secret place. It is here she finds Endor College – a school of magic!
-Madman
Film Review:
Mary, a brave young girl, tries her best to be occupied when she moves to live with her great aunt in a small village. There was apparently nothing to do for a city girl like Mary, who ended up wandering in the woods and finding a unique kind of flower.
Mary and the Witch's flower is a spectacular animation filled with wonders and magic. There is a sense of thrill and fright as the story unfolds. A film suitable for both kids and adults alike, it carries lessons and morals that revolves around friendship and animal cruelty. The director, Hiromasa Yonebayashi who was also involved in the famous animated films namely The Secret World of Arrietty and Spirited Away did another magnificent job with the visuals. There is that nostalgic atmosphere quite familiar to both Ghibli and Harry Potter fans. However, it remains unique to its vision and style that is different from Ghibli and the latter.
An animated film about witches and magic, entertaining in a gripping way. Despite the bursts of colour and excitement, a presence of melancholy wraps the story and is the primary mood of the film. Nevertheless, it is an enjoyable film with a lot of heart and soul.
Rating: PG
In Cinemas: January 11, 2018
