Is Forest of Time Worth Watching? Honest Movie Review & Audience Verdict (2012)

📖 The Core Premise

Forest of Time returns to the screen in 2012, bringing a fresh narrative to the Documentary genre. At its heart, the film explores complex themes wrapped in a compelling storyline. As the plot unfolds, we see characters navigating a world where stakes are high. "Park Yong-woo decides to embark on a journey to "the forest." Located on Yakushima Island in southern Kagoshima Prefecture, Japan, the Unesco World Heritage site is home to the renowned forest that is said to have inspired the Miyazaki Hayao animated film "Princess Mononoke" (1997). For his ten-day journey, Park finds the young and beautiful Tagaki Rina to keep him company."

🎬 Performance & Direction

A movie's success often hinges on its execution. Park Yong-woo attempts to elevate the material, but the direction leaves them with little to work with. The direction aims to balance pacing with character development, a hallmark of good Documentary. While there are moments of brilliance, the pacing occasionally dips.

🤔 Why You Should Watch (or Skip)

Is Forest of Time worth your time? If you appreciate Documentary films that take risks, this is likely a decent one-time watch. However, if you are looking for a flawless masterpiece, you might find some plot points predictable.

🏆 Final Verdict

Ultimately, Forest of Time misses the mark on several fronts. With a runtime of 96 minutes, it asks for a significant time investment, but for the right audience, it pays off.

Our recommendation: Skip It.