Reviewing Hayao Miyazaki or any Studio Ghibli film is probably the hardest thing for me. There is no film or art that touches me more than anyone else - it is part of my life.

That said, The Boy and the Heron is a dubious film. Since, the first hour of the film is wonderful - a gigantic drama that is second only to Tomb of the Fireflies. However, when it goes to fantasy it loses focus and becomes boring. The magical universe doesn't come close to Spirited Away - the lack of diversity in the protagonists and the lack of danger compromises the story.

For the rest, only praise - the technical part of the film is sensational. The sound and score by Joe Hisashi are exceptional and the scenery is fantastic. The quality of Studio Ghibli is still maintained.

What changes?

The story is the most cosmogonic of all. There has always been a very strong Western side to Miyazaki's works and this film is one of them. Conversation with God is quite different from Mononoke.

In a way, it's a farewell to Miyazaki. The author knows this and that his health is not a guarantee of continuity. What catches my attention is the sentimental choice that is completely different from the previous one.