A beautifully animated adventure that's (almost) perfectly told. Yes, "The Boy and the Beast" has an epic story that, in my opinion, is not as epic as it thinks (especially in acts 2 & 1). The character arcs were on point and the movie, most of the time, is very fun to watch. I did have a couple of major problems with the movie:1.) Kaede is JUST a love interest. She was introduced late in the movie making her the obvious love interest for Kyuuta/Ren. That was her only purpose.2.) Why does Ichirohiko look like a beautiful girl!? Had his brother not said that Ichirohiko is his brother, I would not realize that Ichirohiko is a guy.(((VAGUE SPOILERS FOR NUMBER 3))) 3.) Near the film's 90-minute mark, something unexpected happened. Unexpected because it was unlike the first hour and a half of the movie. It made me form a different (darker in tone) expectation for the film's last half hour. However, the ending is consistent (tone-wise) to what I formed prior to the "thing that happened unexpectedly." This. however, damaged the film for me. Despite the fact that it's consistent (tone-wise) with what I originally formed, I would've liked the darker (tone-wise) ending I formed after the "thing that happened unexpectedly."DESPITE THESE MAJOR PROBLEMS, I STILL LIKED"THE BOY AND THE BEAST."

No, this isn't "Beauty and the Beast" (1991), though this story also involves beasts - in animated form. This is "The Boy and the Beast," the most recent Japanese animation (Anime') offering from director/writer/producer Mamoru Hosoda, who is very quickly becoming one of the greats in Anime' - after such revered Japanese Anime' directors like Mamoru Oshii ("Ghost in the Shell," the "Patlabor" series), Yoshiaki Kawajiri ("Ninja Scroll," "Wicked City," "Vampire Hunter D: Bloodlust"), Katsuhiro Otomo ("Akira," "Steamboy") and of course, the now-retired Anime' legend Hayao Miyazaki ("Spirited Away," "Princess Mononoke," "Ponyo," etc.)Hosoda has come a long way from his debut "The Girl Who Leapt Through Time" (2006) and my personal favorite of his, 2009's "Summer Wars." It was the latter film of his that convinced me of Hosoda's true worth as an inspired director.Hosoda's films are not easily categorized, in that they often combine genres ranging from comedy, to science fiction, to fantasy, to heartfelt character-driven dramas. It is this skillful blending of different genres that set his "Summer Wars" apart from a lot of Anime' features produced nowadays (most films, period), and why I considered it one of the best animated films so far this millennium.And now we're at his most recent, 2015's "The Boy and the Beast." While not as strong as his previous entries, it is by no means a wasted effort. True to his form, "The Boy and the Beast" combines different storytelling genres to tell an inspired fantasy tale that while not completely original, does seem fresh and unique given the interesting scenario that the film's events take place in.In Japan's Shibuya district, Ren is a nine-year-old orphan struggling to get by on the streets by any means necessary. One night, he accidentally stumbles upon the so-called "Beast Realm," a world inhabited by, well, beasts, who take on many characteristics shared by those living in the human world. He is taken in by the gruff, unkempt bear-like warrior-beast Kumatetsu (who appears to be based on late Japanese film legend Toshiro Mifune's "Kikuchiyo" character from "Seven Samurai"), who needs an apprentice, as he is competing to become the new lord of the Beast Realm.The two bicker constantly, but over time an unconventional teacher-student/father-son relationship develops between the two, and Ren, who Kumatetsu unceremoniously renamed "Kyuta," becomes a master student who eventually earns the begrudging love and respect of his teacher."The Boy and the Beast" delivers much of what it promises: stunning animation (complemented by helpful CGI in more than a few places), a sincere and heartfelt story, well-timed humor, and stunning action sequences. "The Boy and the Beast" is not "The Girl Who Leapt Through Time" or even "Summer Wars," but this is nonetheless a strong and entertaining entry in a distinguished director's catalog who can only keep going up.8/10

Chris Stuckman recommend this one. Shame I forgot Stuckman can be such a trendy hipster sheep at times. Maybe Japanese animation is his kryptonite... or one of his few kryptonites. Anyway, overall this film is as pointless as it is pretentious and overrated. I did my homework on this one. If you think Summer Wars is a good film, you'll like this. I'm not a fan of Summer War and thought this was worse. But like I was saying, I did my homework on this one and figured out why the director is so bipolar when it comes to having great films and having lame films. Here is the reason, all the films he directs that are written by other people are great. The films he writes and directs usually su@k. Check for yourself. The man just can't write a good screenplay or story to save his life. So in conclusion; this film isn't worth your time. The script is convoluted, the action is lacking/meh and the animation style isn't going to take your breath away. At least Summer Wars had some great animation, I can't say the same for this snooze fest. Skip it.

A young boy named Ren runs away from his uncaring family after his mother's death. Alone and homeless on the streets, he meets a bear-like beast named Kumatestu. Ren follows him to the world of beasts, and becomes Kumatetsu's only pupil. I compare it to the Disney animated version of Treasure Island. Both films are not their director/company's best works, but both are unique in that they focus on an unusual theme these days: a boy's relationship to his father. The relationship of Kuma and Ren is similar to Jack and Long John Silver in Treasure Island. Both were abandoned by their fathers, and both find a surrogate father and a father's love in another. This theme resonates with young boys, and the adults they become.The theme is done well here, although the film's structure is a bit off. Unlike Treasure Island, Ren's story extends through his life as a child and too his teen and college years. The movie in the end also relies on an unexpected antagonist, and that aspect although visually striking is weakly done. A subplot with another character who befriends Ren also feels tacked in. The main draw though is the sad, sweet, and almost achingly fond relationship Kuma an Ren develop. Kuma's two friends also play their part, and the movie shows the civilizing power love for father and child can have, despite crudity, bickering, and insults.However, Wolf Children still remains Hosoda's best film. This one will work better for fans, and for people whom the themes touch.