I really just went into this movie blind, to say the truth. Started watching it only because I got a request for it on my blog, so must say that I was impressed. Being originally a manga adaption, people might agree with me that the movie is quite fast paced, however for somebody like me, that didn't have any idea of the story, I find that it managed to put together all the important pieces quite well.
Story:
It's a topic that I'm very emotionally involved in. If you spent enough time on Youtube like me you must know that freedom of speech is always questioned on one side and preached on the other. Everybody wants their opinion heard, however while we want our opinions to be heard, sometimes we want to block opinions that contrast our own. That's called "censoring";. As an extention, everything that is considered "immoral"; "unethical" "too violent" "too sexual" etc. causes controversy because it is believed these types of media provoke further violent/sexual/immoral/unethical behaviour in human beings that are easily manipulated by what they read/see (among other reasons, of course). So..are we better off without these pieces of material just because it contrasts our own views or for some reason believe that they raise criminal rates? I definitely am of the opinion that we aren't. "Censoring" is not a solution. Blaming any type of media for anything happening in the word is stupid. Everybody has the right to read/watch/play whatever they want. Live out of their monotous lives for a while and returning back to it after a couple of hours. Nobody can have the right to take our right of escapism and enjoyment away from us.
Library Wars manages to convey this feeling perfectly while showing us the extreme of what would happen if "censoring" becomes a law. As I said, the story is quite fast paced though; at one point I wished for a little bit more introduction, some details, which I just had to assume in the end. Also, while I understand the motivation of the main girl driving her towards the LDF, I don't really think that it fit the context of the story, however her love for books and ideal of defending them came through, so I stopped complaining.
As a consequence of the fast pace, many scene skips are incoherent: Dojo almost seems like he's always paired up with Kawahara even though they have no reason to be the only pair. I never saw him with somebody else, and besides Tezuka and his partner, i don't believe I ever saw him interact with any other of his squad mates which I'm kind of disappointed about.
Talking about Tezuka, I don't understand his character at all. Again, consequence of the fast pace.
Main pairing was adorable though, I just couldn't help but root for them. I didn't really feel like rooting for any couple in a while from the stuff that I'm watching right now, so that has to mean something!
Lastly, Dojo is a freakin ninja !!!
Acting/Cast:
Great! Just great ! I really feel like praising the martial arts work on it. It left me breathless at some points, though I question their aiming skills sometimes in other parts. Anyway, the cast was great and acting, not much to complain.
Music:
Fine. Not really memorable, but did the job.
Overall, I didn't expect to love this movie as much as I did, and the only reason why I'm giving it an 8.5 is because of the fast pace that I don't usually appreciate.
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