The Girl Who Leapt Through Time 4K 1983

I don’t usually dive that deep… Or rather, I don’t jump in! I’m much more drawn to new releases, and I usually ignore films from the distant past that have managed to survive the test of time and reach the present day. But I couldn’t pass up this film, since I recently saw the 2010 movie *The Girl Who Defied Time*, which, as it turned out, was a sequel to this thirty-year-old film of the same name.

I won’t compare apples to oranges, nor will I bring up a novel I haven’t read or an anime I have little interest in. Nevertheless, I will say that “The Girl” isn’t far off from “The Girl Who Conquered Time,” and I had hoped that the original story would turn out to be far better than its belated sequel. I wasn’t disappointed by the film; rather, I expected more—or something different—from it.

The plot description seemed enticing to me, but in reality, it turned out to be sluggish; some parts seem insignificant, or even completely superfluous. Other than that, I won’t criticize anything else, since the film is made in the spirit of its time, and the fact that it completely lacks action and dynamism isn’t a flaw.

On the contrary, these characteristic features of 1980s sci-fi lend the film a special flavor. Nothing overshadows the plot or distracts from the details. The special effects are meticulously crafted; in years past, they must have looked impressive, but to the modern viewer (there are no others left) they look amusing.

The film’s characters also reflect the ideals of years past: the main heroine is modest, shy, and sensitive. You have to admit, such characters are rare these days—bold and emotional ones are in vogue. (Take, for example, the heroine of the anime of the same name—the girl rages as if she isn’t the least bit concerned that such intense behavior will eventually take its toll.)

Let’s return to the flaws: watching the sluggish plot, I often found myself wondering: did this film make its mark in its time? Was it popular, and was it rightly considered a successful adaptation of the famous novel? If so, then why is the novel so famous, since the plot isn’t all that intricate? Perhaps the film is missing something important after all, or maybe the main focus here isn’t the plotline, but the characters’ feelings and inner worlds? But even here, not everything is smooth and well-developed.

I thought long and hard about what rating to give this film; at first, I was leaning more toward a neutral review, but my fondness for such a charming film won out. There’s no point in dwelling on the pros and cons when it’s already obvious that you like it, even if you don’t know why.

That’s why I’m giving it a positive rating. A special shout-out to the soundtrack during the end credits and the accompanying visuals, which are amusing because, judging by everything, they were apparently put together throughout the entire filming process.