STAND BY ME (2014)

Genre: CG Animation
Director: Ryuichi Yagi, Takashi Yamazaki
Cast: Wasabi Mizuta, Megumi Ohara, Yumi Kakazu, Tomokazu Seki, Subaru Kimura, Yoshiko Kamei, Vanilla Yamazaki, Kotono Mitsuishi, Yasunori Matsumoto, Satoshi Tsumabuki
Runtime: 1 hr 36 mins
Rating: PG
Released By: Golden Village Pictures 
Official Website: http://doraemon-3d.com

Opening Day: 11 December 2014

Synopsis: In the suburbs of Tokyo sometime ago, there lived a clumsy boy about 10 years old. There appeared in front of him a boy named Sewashi, Nobita’s descendant of four generations later from the 22nd century and Doraemon, a 22nd century cat-type caretaker robot who helps people with its secret gadgets. Sewashi claims that his family is suffering from the debts Nobita made even to his generation, so in order to change this disastrous future, he brought along Doraemon as Nobita’s caretaker to bring happiness to his future, although Doraemon is not happy about this. And so Sewashi installed an accomplishment program into Doraemon forcing him to take care of Nobita. Unless he makes Nobita happy, Doraemon can no longer go back to the 22nd century. This is how the life of Doraemon and Nobita begins. Will Doraemon succeed this mission and return to the 22nd century?

Movie Review:

Time traveling probably still remains as one of man’s greatest dreams. Though impossible to achieve in reality, we always remember that there’s Doraemon and his gadgets that can help realize those possibilities. Doraemon, the robot cat from the future, has traveled back in time along with Sewashi, Nobita’s (aka Da Xiong) descendant. They went back to the past to help 10 year old Nobita fix the mess so his descendants need not suffer the consequences. Sewashi leaves Doraemon behind, installing a program in him that disallows him from going back to the future till Nobita attains happiness.

As you might already know, Nobita is known for his cowardice and wimpy behavior. Once he realized how powerful Doraemon’s gadgets can be, he simply relies on them and attempts at making the game change. However, as you might expect, the gadgets have limitations. Ultimately, it depends on one’s will and resolve that can truly break through the circumstances. Nobita fails and try again, growing out of his wimpy self and eventually overcomes the challenges.

Stand by Me has a very simple, engaging and easy-to-follow story. There’s nothing too drastic or dramatic to expect, which could disappoint some who are looking for something stimulating. The entire story also has a hint of nostalgia. It’s easy to identify with the young Nobita, since virtually everyone goes through that ‘rite of passage’ – of growing up. The character development of Nobita though not multifaceted, has enough depth and gives a good support to the narrative.

Visually wise, the 3D animated Doraemon might require some getting used to since it is not that 2D one which we are familiar to watching on TV. (Don’t we all have some fond childhood memories of catching Doraemon on our local channel on weekend mornings?) Yet, this has got to be the cutest and most adorable Doraemon to date. With his vivid expressions, it’s impossible not to like!

The entire 3D environment was also a masterwork. Not only were they very realistic, even the sound effects and background chatter were worked down to great details. Further, you really have to give it to the Japanese for having such great voice actors. They probably have the world’s best, and thanks to them, the entire movie was truly ‘animated’.

Overall, Stand by Me is one entertaining film that’s surprisingly touching as well. This has to be the blockbuster of the Doraemon movies released thus far. Subtly but surely, Stand by Me gives you and me a stark reminder that ‘your life is the sum of your choices'.

Movie Rating:

(An enjoyable and heart-warming story that deeply resonates with the heart)

Review by Tho Shu Ling