sol- Set during the 1960s, this Studio Ghibli production focuses on a teenage girl who helps her peers save a clubhouse from demolition while falling in love with a shy classmate. The animation is beautiful as per Ghibli par and the film benefits from a great music score as well as some catchy songs; as a narrative though, the film is not much more interesting than it sounds. Conflict arises as she begins to wonder whether she could be related to her new crush, but the mystery of his parentage is never particularly enticing and the fixing up of the clubhouse feels a little too much like an 80s comedy subplot; it even comes with an 80s style montage sequence as the teens clean and sweep the place. The setting is certainly interesting though with lots of excitement and uncertainty in the air regarding the impending Tokyo Olympic Games and it is hard not to wonder whether the film may have worked better with this theme more in focus. Those who do not mind slow-paced, leisurely dramas will possibly find quite a bit to like here; those who appreciate the magical creatures, imaginative tales and zany humour that Ghibli is best known for though should probably approach with some caution.

Neil Welch In 1963 Yokohama, high school girl Umi puts out signal flags to passing ships, partly in remembrance of her captain father who died at sea. While getting involved with a project to save a local clubhouse, she meets and falls in love with fellow student Shun. But Shun's father was also lost at sea, and he carries the same photograph as Umi...This animated movie from Studio Ghibli has no fantasy elements: it is a simple drama with several intertwined threads. The animation is satisfactory without being dazzling, the backgrounds are lovely, and the film is, at times, very moving.I enjoyed it a lot.

Kyle Cohen A simple coming of age story. The visuals, as always for Studio Ghibli, are amazing to look at. They certainly know how to create an immersive atmosphere. The characters and story are good, but don't stand out that much until the third act. That is when the emotions kick in. I don't know why but watching anime characters cry is a tough thing to get through! Maybe it's because the animation creates the emotion of sadness as if it were spilling out of the character. Anyways, it's extremely emotional and almost got me to tears. And that is the only sad point in the movie. The rest of it is extremely sweet and harmless. If you like Studio Ghibli and the trailer looks good to you, then you will probably enjoy this movie a lot.

Errington_92 Studio Ghibli films rarely fail to disappoint and usually leave me feeling mesmerised and exuberant. From Up on Poppy Hill was no exception with its solid storyline and brilliantly developed characters placing itself as another triumphant piece of Studio Ghibli's legacy.From Up on Poppy Hill centres itself on the theme of transition within Japan from post-war to hosting the 1964 Tokyo Olympics. This transitional period is both a backdrop and incorporated into the characters' lives with Umi's opening monologue, "the past is not ready to let go of us either". Umi's tangled past formed from their Father's death, an event she never fully recovered from. Whilst her Mother is away Umi asserts herself as the families' dominant figure making Umi an addition to Studio Ghibli's admirable protagonists. Some may argue themes of transition and traditionalism are over emphasised, yet the characterisations make these themes admirable. Umi as her families' dominant figure was noble as she undertakes various household tasks. The greatness of From Up on Poppy Hill's writing is what is unsaid. Scenes of silence with Umi preparing meals for her family created an atmosphere where Umi is respected. Yet Umi's characterisation also had a tragic side with her Father's death still raw within her memory. Umi's loyalty to her Father is equally heart-wrenching and honourable reflecting the need to understand the past if transition towards the future will succeed.Juxtapositing Umi's struggles with the past is Shun, a fellow student at Umi's school who forms a close relationship with her. Shun's youthful ambition not only attracts Umi but gives audiences vitality within themselves to respect the past. His desire to restore Quartier Latin, an ageing building housing the high school's clubs underlined why the past has to be respected and acknowledged if transitioning into the future."Destroy the past and you dishonour who lived and died before us" was Shun's defence in restoring Quartier Latin. Umi's and Shun's relations with their past helps forge their relationship which is admirable. Through their relationship and their dealings with the past From Up on Poppy Hill affirmed the importance of preserving and understanding tradition.Whilst From Up on Poppy Hill dealt with transition with sincerity, there was room for pleasing comedy moments. The scene where Umi and Shun first meet occurs when Shun takes part in a stunt that is whimsical and amusing. Many of the secondary and minor characters during montage scenes of repairing Quartier Latin engaged in hilarious antics and dialogue which equally stayed on course with the theme of transition. From Up on Poppy Hill takes audiences on sentimental journey to respect our pasts if the future is to be improved.