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Jellyfish Eyes
By Sandie Angulo Chen,
Common Sense Media Reviewer
Common Sense Media Reviewers
Japanese artist's fantasy film is disappointing, derivative.
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Jellyfish Eyes
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Based on 1 parent review
Really just not worth it
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What's the Story?
JELLYFISH EYES, directed by internationally renowned Japanese artist Takashi Murakami, is the story of quiet middle-schooler Masashi (Takuto Sueoka), who's moved to a new town with his widowed mother to be closer to his uncle, who works in the town's mysterious lab. Soon, Masashi discovers Kurage-bo, an adorable floating creature that loves the snack food Chee-kama. At school, it becomes clear that all the students have their own creatures, whom they handle with mobile devices; the other kids clash with Masashi and enjoy making their creatures fight. It turns out that the creatures are an experiment run by four black-cloaked villains, who harness the energy in children's emotions with these magical, alien-like "friends." The kids must band together to stop being manipulated by the cloaked baddies.
Is It Any Good?
At best, this movie could have been a whimsical tale about a boy and his magical friend, like E.T., but unfortunately, it's a weird, forgettable adventure that's likely to confuse younger viewers. Although a couple of the creatures, particularly the Chee-kama-addicted Kurage-bo and his female friend's wooly giant pal, are sweet and helpful, there's no logic behind how the creatures can look or act. The visual effects are amateurish, as is the cheesy soundtrack, which features a lot of annoying noises and toddler-friendly tunes.
The story itself is predictable and filled with schoolyard conflicts that don't move the action forward. And despite the plot's familiar nature, audiences will find it difficult to truly invest in Masahi beyond a surface interest in what he's lost and in his unique connection with Kurage-bo. Skip this and rewatch E.T. instead.
Talk to Your Kids About ...
Families can talk about how Jellyfish Eyes portrays the use of technology. How are the kids connected to one another? Does technology help or hurt their connections?
Are there elements of this movie that seem familiar? Which ones? How does it compare to more mainstream movies you've seen?
What are the movie's messages? Who do you think they're aimed at?
Movie Details
- In theaters: July 17, 2015
- On DVD or streaming: December 8, 2015
- Cast: Takuto Sueoka , Himeka Asami , Masataka Kubota
- Director: Takashi Murakami
- Studio: Janus Films
- Genre: Family and Kids
- Topics: Magic and Fantasy , Adventures , Friendship
- Run time: 103 minutes
- MPAA rating: NR
- Last updated: April 1, 2022
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