The Wind Rises

The Wind Rises (2013) – It’s beautifully crafted, of course, and it takes an interesting and unusual approach to its sound effects, but it lacks tension, it’s a bit self-indulgent, the romance is saccharine, it doesn’t always flow well, and it jarringly refuses to engage its themes directly; the film sweeps the viewer up decently well nonetheless, but one hopes for better from Miyazaki, especially if he really is done. 6