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Fireworks is a prime example of why namedropping another film in the advertisement probably should be seen as a giant red flag.
| Director(s) | Akiyuki Shinbo, Nobuyuki Takeuchi | |
| Screenplay By | Shunji Iwai, Hitoshi Ône | |
| Date Released | 7/3/2018 (US) | |
| Genre(s) | Romance, Teen | |
| Good If You Like | Simple Teen Romances
Time Loops Endings Which Leave You With Questions |
|
| Noted Actors | ||
| Nazuna | Suzu Hirose | |
| Norimichi | Masaki Suda | |
Summary
It all begins with Nazuna learning her mom, on her third marriage, will be moving. With this, she plans to run away but with which boy is the problem. Will it be Yusuke or Norimichi? In one timeline she chooses Yusuke but he ditches her, but then Norimichi, using this ball, reverses time and he finds himself chosen. Thus leading to this ball being used over and over to get a desired result. That is, until it becomes clear they are ending up in a world line too foreign to their own.
On The Fence
While The Leads’ Relationship Is Cute, It Isn’t Awe-Inspiring
Two young people falling in love, and running away together always has a sort of appeal to it. Especially since Norimichi had to work hard to try to make it happen and it leads to a lot of cute, PG moments. However, one of the issues with Fireworks is that the loop keeps hitting at the build portion of their relationship. Plus, with them running away, and getting caught repeatedly, we never get to the point they can be comfortable, walk around holding hands, or build up to the inevitable kiss and make you swoon.
What especially doesn’t help is only Norimichi remembers past worlds so it isn’t like Nazuna and him share memories and so in each loop they get to know each other more and more. In fact, towards the end, you may feel they are still in the infatuation phase. Making that obligatory kiss not mean much. Even as you see other world lines when they got much farther than the next train stop.
Overall: Mixed (Divisive)
The main issue with Fireworks is that it never really goes anywhere. It stalls and sputters and while you may like the two characters in the front seat, they don’t get far in becoming this ideal couple. You don’t really go on a ride with them. Heck, even in terms of Nazuna’s reason(s) for running away, that isn’t made into a big deal beyond her just not wanting to move. Never mind her dad being dead.
Leading to why the mixed label. The foundation for Fireworks is okay, but it never really builds off of it. It just loops around anything which can extend the day and then teases you with storylines that could have made this movie good towards the end. Leaving you disastisfied but not necessarily feeling like you wasted an hour and a half of your life.
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