Is Isao Takahata and His Tale of The Princess Kaguya Worth Watching? Honest Movie Review & Audience Verdict (2014)

📖 The Core Premise

Isao Takahata and His Tale of The Princess Kaguya returns to the screen in 2014, 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. "For his first film in fourteen years, animation director Isao Takahata embarked on a visually sumptuous adaptation of The Tale of the Bamboo-Cutter. A dream project for the director that would hopefully establish the recently formed Ghibli Studio 7, created to meet the demands of a new type of modern animation process. But, almost immediately, the epic production is faced with difficulties and falls dramatically behind schedule. In this compelling and insightful documentary, we follow Isao Takahata and his dedicated team of artists as they frantically strive against adversity to make their vision a reality and bring Studio Ghibli into a new era."

🎬 Performance & Direction

A movie's success often hinges on its execution. Isao Takahata does well with the material given, though the script occasionally limits their range. 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 Isao Takahata and His Tale of The Princess Kaguya 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, Isao Takahata and His Tale of The Princess Kaguya is a mixed bag with some redeeming qualities. With a runtime of 86 minutes, it asks for a significant time investment, but for the right audience, it pays off.

Our recommendation: Watch on OTT.