Discover 'The Deer King': a surreal and imaginative journey that defies all logic. Adventure and magic like you've never seen before!
Data Sheet
- Director: Masashi Andō, Masayuki Miyaji
- Genre: Fantasy, Adventure
- Duration: Who's got the time to count?
- Year: 2022, the year of the dragon (or maybe not)
- Based on a Book? Sure thing! "The Deer King" by Nahoko Uehashi
- Actors: People you won't bump into at the supermarket
- Where to Watch: Netflix
Plot
Imagine a world where magic is real, but it's not the pretty, sparkling kind you're expecting. Meet Van, a former soldier who looks like he's been through enough battles to write a book titled "How to Survive an Apocalypse and Still Be Disappointed". He meets Yuna, an orphan who could teach him a thing or two about life, like how to make a flower crown or why you should never trust a smiling sorcerer.
Together, they discover a mysterious illness ravaging the world, probably started by someone who forgot to wash their hands. Van and Yuna become the unwitting keys to solving this riddle, traveling through landscapes that look like they were painted by an artist who's just discovered colors.
On their journey, they encounter quirky characters: a doctor who chats with animals (no, not that kind of doctor), a group of rebels who can't stage a revolution without losing the keys to their hideout, and a bunch of magical creatures who might or might not be under the influence of psychedelic substances.
In this fantastic chaos, "The Deer King" is not just a journey through breathtaking landscapes and encounters with strange creatures but also an exploration of human flaws: pride, fear, greed, and the surprising ability to mess things up in already complicated situations. In the end, Van and Yuna might not find all the answers, but they'll surely learn that sometimes, the greatest adventure is just surviving your own mistakes. And maybe, just maybe, they'll discover that heroism isn't always what it seems, especially if you're wearing armor that doesn't fit anymore.
Review
So, "The Deer King". Where to start? This film is like a birthday cake made with ingredients that should never be mixed together, but surprisingly, it tastes good.
First off, the narrative. It's like the book's author said, "Hey, let's go on a journey!" and the director replied, "Great idea, but let me drive and forget the map". The story flows unexpectedly, with twists that make you say, "Didn't see that coming," because honestly, who could have?
Then the cinematography. It's like watching a painting come to life, if the painter was a wizard who just figured out how to use the rainbow. The landscapes are so beautiful you wonder if the cinematographer made a deal with some celestial being.
And the costumes: they look like they jumped out of a history book, if that book was written by someone with an overly vivid imagination and a slight obsession with extravagant details.
And the overall cinematic rendering? Like a rollercoaster ride, but without the nausea. It keeps you glued to the screen, wondering what the heck is happening, but in a good way.
If the film were a person, it'd be that eccentric cousin you didn't expect to invite to dinner, but then turns out to be the life of the party.
And the adherence to the book? Well, let's just say the film and the book are like distant cousins that resemble each other, but one decided to dye their hair blue and the other got a nose piercing.
In conclusion, "The Deer King" deserves a solid 9 out of 10. It's a unique experience, like eating sushi in Antarctica - not for everyone, but unforgettable for those who dare to try it.
Why I Recommend It
It explores human flaws with disarming honesty. It's like therapy, but without the couch.
Why I Don't Recommend It
If you don't like mixing reality with the absurd, you're better off watching a documentary on mushroom farming.
