‘The Imaginary’ Movie Review: Yoshiyuki Momose’s Animated Drama Doesn’t Imagine Deep Enough
Photo from Netflix
From Jeff Nelson
Yoshiyuki Momose’s The Imaginary evokes a dreamy world reminiscent of one from Studio Ghibli, where he worked as a longstanding animator reaching from 1988’s Grave of the Fireflies to 2014’s The Tale of Princess Kaguya. This adventure from Studio Ponoc instills gorgeous animation and a nostalgic premise. However, it doesn’t quite have the expected level of worldbuilding or emotional depth to accomplish all it sets out to do.
Amanda (voiced by Evie Kiszel) is a playful girl with a vast imagination, living with her mother, Lizzie (voiced by Hayley Atwell), and her imaginary friend, Rudger (voiced by Louie Rudge-Buchanan). A terrifying series of events forces Rudger to retreat into the Town of Imaginaries, where children’s imaginary friends go to avoid disappearing from existence after their real-life friend grows up. The mysteriously creepy Mr. Bunting (voiced by Jeremy Swift) and an ominous dark-haired girl threaten all they hold dear.
Similar to Pixar’s Toy Story, Amanda only treks on make-believe adventures with Rudger when they’re alone. Their friendship is held together by their promise never to disappear, always protect each other, and never cry. Lizzie knows of Rudger’s existence in her daughter’s mind, although Amanda and her mother’s relationship struggles to find the right balance in a transitional period, where their generational divide causes them to clash on what they deem important. Lizzie is forced to live in a practical reality that lost the magical wonder of childhood, while Amanda’s plights push her further into her fantasies.
Mr. Bunting is any imaginary friend’s worst nightmare, seeking to consume their energy to perpetuate his terrifying existence like a Dementor out of Harry Potter. His tendency to follow children while eagerly sniffing the air is disturbing on multiple levels. However, Mr. Bunting’s influence in the Town of Imaginaries is lacking. For a setting where anything is possible, it’s tragically confined to rather simplistic worldbuilding.
Amanda’s fear of growing up and Rudger’s worry of being forgotten are both linked to a deeper turmoil that is dramatically compelling. However, it feels like a missed opportunity that the emotional swings don’t go for the jugular in the process. Momose goes through the plot beats’ motions so quickly, that the most sincere moments don’t get the chance to breathe.
The enchanting use of animation and all-enveloping sound design are top-notch. It has clear Studio Ghibli inspirations with an edge of original personality that allows its characters and environments to come to life. Adventures generated by Amanda’s otherworldly imagination really pop, pumping action-packed sequences with the vigor and vitality needed to sell them.
The Imaginary feels creatively confined to an overfamiliar narrative. The tenderness and sentimentality are there, but the payoff is too slight. There’s an impressive level of artistry on display through the breathtaking animation that should be better reflected in the characterizations, themes, and worldbuilding. Unfortunately, this dreamed-up universe plays it a little bit too safe.
Rating: 2.5/5
The Imaginary streams via Netflix on July 5th, 2024.
