MODEST HEROES (Theatrical Release Japan 2018)

Ben Meyers’ rating: 4.0|5.0 Starsìììì

Modest Heroes—three exceptionally rich, fresh, and unrelated animated, short stories that challenge the mind and create high interest—becomes an incredible venture into different lives and the courage it would take to live any one of those lives. The animation follows the gentleness of Hayao Miyazaki’s works. This movie is labeled Volume 1 and it establishes deep desire to see a Volume 2, 3, 4…. At first watch the films do not seem to have adequate closure. But, that observation may be altered with a second viewing. This is a terrific watch for the whole family, deserves addition to the home video library, and uses a welcome format for entertainment.

 Film Poster Courtesy of Google Images

Storyline 

Three-part anthology about two anthropomorphic crab children who mature to the age to leave home, a boy with a severe egg allergy and an invisible man. 

Additional Thanks 

Thank you to Directors Hiromasa Yonebayashi, Yoshiyuki Momose, and Akihiko Yamashita for directing effort. Thank you to Producer Yoshiaki Nishimura for making the film possible. Characters/cast include: Kanini (Voice of Fumino Kimura), Kanino (Voice by Rio Suzuki), Toto (Voice by Masaki Terasoma), Kaka (Voice by Yuko Sasaki), Mama (Voice by Shun Yashima/Maggie Q), Shun Yashima (Voice by Sota Shinohara/Henry Kaufman), Papa (Voice by Kentaro Sakaguchi/Todd Haberkorn), Doctor (Voice by Kentaro Sakaguchi/Todd Haberkorn), Invisible Man (Voice by Joe Odagiri/Liam O’Brien), and Old Man (Voice by Min Tanaka/Mick Wingert). 

Buy a ticket? Yes? No? Maybe? 

Yes. Modest Heroes is subtle and works on a seldom used formatting style. It works well as the three short stories could be watched separately as bedtime stories on three separate nights or deeply enjoyed by audiences who are short on time devoted to entertainment. There are little nuances built into each story so that the complete intent of the stories may require a second viewing for deeper understanding. Good watch for both children and adult audiences.

Video Critique Available Here:

Ben Meyers