Jellyfish Eyes

A spoiler light review of Jellyfish Eyes should begin with tone, because Takashi Murakami understands exactly how this comedy ought to feel. Jellyfish Eyes gains early credibility from Takuto Sueoka, whose presence is balanced by the different rhythm of Himeka Asami. The foundation of Jellyfish Eyes can be stated simply: Children are able to communicate and control fantastic creatures, but they are unknowingly being used in an evil plan to collect negative energy. Within its 1h 41m running time, Jellyfish Eyes reveals both the benefits and the limits of that disciplined approach.

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Beneath its plot, Jellyfish Eyes is most interested in embarrassment, status and the gap between confidence and reality. That concern becomes visible through Takuto Sueoka, whose choices allow Jellyfish Eyes to explore an idea without stopping for a speech. Children gives the themes of Jellyfish Eyes a concrete dramatic form rather than leaving them abstract. The emotional value of Jellyfish Eyes grows whenever Takashi Murakami trusts the audience to connect behaviour with the larger question.

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At story level, Jellyfish Eyes turns Children and the central character into the source of its main tension. The role played by Takuto Sueoka becomes the viewer's route through Jellyfish Eyes, especially when an important relationship begins to alter the situation. Takashi Murakami gives Jellyfish Eyes momentum by allowing choices to create consequences instead of treating each scene as isolated information. Even when a difficult choice pushes the plot toward familiar ground, Jellyfish Eyes remains attentive to what that pressure means for its characters.

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Jellyfish Eyes benefits from Takashi Murakami being uncertain about tone and dramatic emphasis about what each sequence needs to accomplish. Instead of making every beat equally loud, Takashi Murakami lets Jellyfish Eyes create contrast between pressure and release. Isolated moments suggest a more compelling version throughout Jellyfish Eyes, with the strongest decisions feeling connected to character rather than display. It is still fair to say that Jellyfish Eyes suffers because events happen without gathering enough dramatic force, but the problem remains contained.

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The craft of Jellyfish Eyes is defined by performer rhythm, supported by performer rhythm rather than overwhelmed by decoration. Kaikai Kiki Co. gives Jellyfish Eyes a production framework in which comic timing built around character can remain connected to story. Made from a Japan production context, Jellyfish Eyes uses setting and design to clarify mood before dialogue has to explain it. The technical finish of Jellyfish Eyes works because image, sound and editing appear to be serving the same immediate purpose.

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Takuto Sueoka gives Jellyfish Eyes its most dependable performance, finding a clear emotional intention beneath the plot. Opposite Takuto Sueoka, Himeka Asami brings Jellyfish Eyes a contrasting pace that prevents the central relationship from feeling flat. Masataka Kubota widens the ensemble of Jellyfish Eyes through reactions that suggest a life beyond the immediate scene. Takashi Murakami serves the cast of Jellyfish Eyes best when a look or pause is allowed to finish before the story moves on.

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For comedy fans who respond to personality and timing, Jellyfish Eyes is ultimately a film for only the most curious members of its likely audience. Its most persuasive combination in Jellyfish Eyes brings Takuto Sueoka together with comic timing built around character under the direction of Takashi Murakami. The fact that events happen without gathering enough dramatic force prevents Jellyfish Eyes from being entirely seamless. Even with that reservation, Jellyfish Eyes has a clear point of view and enough genuine feeling to justify the journey.