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Voices of a Distant Star Directors: Makoto Shinkai, Steven Foster Number of Items: 1 Format: Animated, Color Running Time: 30 minutes Studio: A.D. Vision Product Group: DVD Release Date: 2003-06-10 Buy from Amazon

Customer Reviews: Total numer of reviews: 69 Average rating: 4.0 "Beautiful Film" I picked this up for rental while looking for an Anime movie in Blockbuster. I had noted how it was only half an hour in length on the box, but it intrigued me anyway. I was amazed. This movie blends sound tracks, images and dialogue into a heart touching story. I watched it both subbed and dubbed, and both were amazing. I recommend watching it dubbed first, then looking at the subbed version (the subbed version prints up what is written in Japanese on the screen) and give a slightly different twist to the movie. Also, 'She and her Cat' is a wonderful accompanying short. If you are a fan of anime, or of a beautiful story and short films, I highly recommend this film. "A Message From A (Broken) Heart." I'm not that emotional, but this, along with Asuka's breakdown in Eva brings tears to my eyes. While suffering from a few minor flaws, this is a superb independently produced work of art. Two scenes stand out. "Happy 24th Birthday from your 15 year old Girlfriend." and the cry at the end. Watch this with your Girl/Boy friend, and see who cries first. "And of her Cat...." The only reason this dvd shouldn't be panned completely, is because of the shorter short film. While not exactly the most interesting piece of anime ever created, it is honest enough in it's depiction of a human's ideas on a cat's method of thinking (?) that it deserves viewing. As for the title short film, well, about the only thing that I can say to it's benefit is that it moves along at a deliberate enough pace so as not to really break stride. And that's not much of a compliment. I picked this dvd up for $20 canadian. I was foolish enough to not check the length before purchasing it. While some reviewers might take solace in the fact that it is comparable to other truly groundbreaking pieces of science-fiction, I find that to be a detriment. The theory is based upon Einsteins' theory. It does resemble the works of Orson Scott Card (Speaker for the Dead), and Joe Haldeman (The Forever War). The aliens that Noboru fights against are almost identical to the lesser shadow vessels from Babylon 5. Each of these aforementioned titles are all Hugo award winners. When a story can attribute so much of it's substance to other sources, it no longer becomes relevant. It is simply derivitive. And for those that are unfamiliar with the above titles, start there. Don't rely on material such as this when there truly is a wealth of spectacularly written, directed, acted, and animated material to discover. Pass this one over. "Love can transend time and space." I really enjoyed "Voices..." It was a superb piece of art, and the story telling coupled with the meloncholy soundtracks is unrivled. However I (and maybe everyone who has watched "Voices...") wished that it was a bit longer ( 30 minutes is a bit short for character development or anything else for that matter) however Makoto Shinkai did a superb job especially since it was done mostly by himself and it is his first time creating a 30 minute movie. I really recommend this to anyone who enjoyes anime (however the ending just might piss you off a little...)I really hope that this isn't the last time we see the star crossed and space seperated lovers. "Visually stunning" Hayao Miyazaki has some serious competition from Makoto Shinkai! "Voices" has some of the most magnificent artwork I've ever seen in an anime flick. Before I saw this I read some reviews that mentioned a static quality to the animation, but I was surprised to find some really lively sequences, though obviously computer generated. Also, I had no problem following the subtitles. This is in essence an animated short story, and like the best short stories everything is of import and nothing is filler. Granted, it's very short, but oh so sweet. The companion piece is quite exquisite with its deliberate black-and-white, almost "Last Picture Show" quality. I rented the DVD but I'm buying it right now. Both works are sensitive, moving, and very artistic. Top-notch stuff. I can hardly wait to see what comes next.