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m002_001.jpg


Card Captor Sakura


Movie 2: Fuuin Sareta Card
(Enchanted Cards)



Copyright: ©2000, CLAMP, Bandai Visual
Length: 96 minutes
Rating: NR, Suitable for Family Viewing
Format: Original Japanese Dialogue (LD, DVD)


synopsis:

dvd jacket

Anatani tsutaitai, honto no omoi...

It's been some time since Eriol has returned to England and Syaoran to China. Eriol's home now stands in ruins to make space for a new amusement park. However, while the old mansion was being destroyed, a strange glow could be seen from the basement of the mansion. What could be the source of the mysterious light?

Sakura is now in 6th grade, and her class is working hard at rehearsals for the upcoming Nadesico festival. Deciding to stop by the new amusement park on their way home from rehearsal, Tomoyo and Sakura run into Meilin and Syaoran who are visiting from Hong Kong. Sakura finally has an opportunity to tell Syaoran her true feelings. However, as chance would have it, outside forces tend to interfere with Sakura's attempts to talk to Syaoran; especially the deliberate interference by a certain elder brother... However, more serious matters are afoot as Sakura discovers that the Sakura cards are slowly disappearing one by one. Where could the cards be going? and why?

A phone call from Eriol explains matters. It seems that when Clow Reid first created the Clow cards, in order to maintain the balance of energies, one negative power card was created to counter the 52 positive power cards. That card was then sealed away below the old mansion. However, with the destruction of the mansion for the new amusement park, the seal has finally been broken. It's up to Sakura to capture the final Clow card and once again lock away it's powers. However, to do so carries a hefty price, for the card will claim Sakura's most important thought or feeling. Will Sakura be able to capture the last card, or will all of Tokyo be lost taken piece by piece by the last Clow card? And will she be able to keep from losing that most important feeling?


capsule review:

[ A monster appears ]

[ Yue prepares to attack ]

[ In the House of Mirrors ]

[ In the rain ]

[ Tomoyo presents Sakura with her battle costume ]

[ Mu no Card ]

[ The Final Confrontation ]

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

[ battle for tako-yaki ]

 
[ Supi's first encounter with tako-yaki ]

[ Indy Kero and the last tako-yaki... ]

[ Supi takes the cake ]

For fans of Card Captor Sakura this second movie holds the answers to many unanswered questions which carried over from the original TV series. From the uncomfortable silences between Sakura and Syaoran to the frustrations Sakura feels over the constant interference in her attempts to talk to Syaoran, this second and likely final movie has some truly touching scenes. However, there are an equal number of scenes which are rather annoying in their stereotypical depictions. Stereotypical Kero and his love of food, Yuki and the amount of food he eats, Kero and Syaoran's constant minor quibbling and Touya and Syaoran's dislike of each other.

While these were all aspects of the original TV series, I found that the way they were all brought together and shown in this second movie was just a bit too jaded or pronounced making it a touch annoying. However, for younger fans, this very aspect may well prove to make an otherwise sentimental story more fun and entertaining. Watching the story progress, there is no question that this is a movie meant for kids. With no reference to any relationships which parents may find objectionable, the story is very sweet and well paced to keep kids attention without being too hyper. Indeed, parents will find the gentle story lots of fun to watch as well, although some sequences may be a touch silly.

The animation quality is much better than what was seen in the original TV series showing both good detail and being fairly smooth overall. However, that the work was done on computer can be seen especially in the characters faces where there is some artefacting.

The music is also very nice especially during Tomoyo's movie production as well as during the final showdown. The soundtrack combined with the excellent story, animation and voice acting all work to create an incredible viewing experience.

The direction in this movie is a touch weaker than hoped for. The use of face faults and super deformed characters especially for Syaoran's character was rather annoying. Syaoran's character unlike Sakura's was much more serious and collected. Seeing him mirror Sakura's reaction while cute at first, wasn't entirely within character (as developed in the TV series) as the movie progressed. However, at the same time, his character seems to have lost a certain prickliness which was present in the TV series when he and Sakura were developing their relationship.

Kero's characterisation as a food-loving beast was taken to extremes and proved to be rather off-putting the more the movie progressed. Thankfully, there is a limit to the number of scenes that you can have with Kero and food.

The voice acting in the series regardless of what I thought of the scripting and direction, was well done with the voice cast all being solidly in character. There were a couple of points where I thought the acting wasn't as solid as hoped for, especially Yue's anger over Sakura being put in yet another difficult situation. However, the acting by Tange Sakura is especially solid. From her awkwardness in trying to express herself, to her unhappiness at Syaoran's comment, to her final determination to capture the card. Likewise, Sakamoto Maya's depiction of the final Clow card was beautifully done. Kids will have a tough time keeping a dry eye at the end of the movie.

Also worthy of comment is the inclusion of a "Kero ni Omakase" at the end of the movie. With a fairly basic story, the sheer insanity of the situation depicted in this trailer movie will have viewers in stitches. I never realised that eating tako-yaki could be so strenuous! All I can say about this omake is "tako-yaki!!"
- JYN, 2001.03.08



café rating (original japanese):

Story:

4 star

[4 / 5] - Puts a wonderful end to the TV series. Questions and loose ends left in the TV series are all neatly cleaned up in a wonderfully sweet story.

Direction:

4 stars
[4 / 5] - Generally very well directed.

Acting:

4 stars
[4 / 5] - Solidly in character. All the original characters are back for the movie. Particularly solid effort by Tange Sakura who portrays Sakura.

Animation:

4 stars
[4 / 5] - Some wonderful detail in the initial parts and generally quite smooth overall. However, use of stills and pans is also fairly prevalent especially during the festival. Some artefacting can also be seen especially around characters' faces which is a touch detracting for viewers.

Music:

4 stars
[4 / 5] - solid music in the beginning. Adds to the overall viewing experience. Only drawback as with most movie theatricals is the balance between music/sound effects and voice.

Translation:

[ N/A ] - Based on the original Japanese release.

Overall Rating:

4 star
[4 / 5] - Overall a solid viewing experience and a definite must see for CCS fans (after seeing the full TV series). The omake at the end is also a must and provides a wonderfully comic ending to an otherwise sentimental movie.



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Page last modified 2001.03.08