The Wind Rises

Movie review by Sandie Angulo Chen, Common Sense Media
The Wind Rises Poster Image

Common Sense says

age 11+

Lovely, contemplative tale of famed aeronautical engineer.

PG-13 2014 126 minutes
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Parents say

age 10+

Based on 5 reviews

Kids say

age 11+

Based on 13 reviews

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A Lot or a Little?

The parents' guide to what's in this movie.

Stands out for and .

What Parents Need to Know

Parents need to know that the Oscar-nominated animated drama The Wind Rises is notable for being anime legend Hayao Miyazaki's final feature-length film. The movie, dubbed in English for American audiences, may be animated, but like many other Studio Ghibli productions, it's not really for very little kids; it's a poignant and contemplative chronicle of a famous Japanese engineer who was responsible for designing the infamous zero bomber. Because of the historical setting, there are real-life disasters and catastrophes depicted in the movie, like the Kanto Earthquake of 1923 and of course World War II. There's also an upsetting subplot about the engineer's beloved, who suffers from tuberculosis, and many, many scenes of men smoking cigarettes (as was customary in that era). Because of the themes and the mature subject matter, this is an animated film best for inquisitive older tweens and teens.

Community Reviews

Unwilted
Unwilted Adult
March 9, 2014
age 6+

Nothing Inappropriate But Somewhat Slow

There is a lot of smoking in this movie and there is a non-bloody earthquake that happens. I really don't understand why this is PG-13. The earthquake could be a bit scary for a kid under 6, but it really is pretty mild overall. I wonder if the rating is due to the fact that it is a slow film -- not something that will hold the attention of the average ADHD child of today. That seems silly. Something should not be PG-13 for being boring. That said, as an adult, I found it a bit boring sometimes. It is a good message overall, but the characters were a bit underdeveloped and the movie is a bit longer than average these days. If your child can tolerate a slow plot, I wouldn't hesitate letting them see this. If nothing else, the animation is beautiful.

This title has:

Great messages
Too much drinking/drugs/smoking
2 people found this helpful.
Caius Gracchus
Caius Gracchus Adult
September 11, 2018
age 6+

Relevant, powerful, beautiful and important for all individuals to watch.

This film is powerful, enthralling, dramatic and beautiful. I recommend this to everyone who likes film. A common theme in the film is one of the burdens caused by the irrationality or heartless driving force of human civilization. This film further insinuates that art and humanity are exploited by powerful forces to cause suffering - however, without this, the humans that are the subjects of these actions will perish. The world progresses only as society becomes less human and more fashist. Society cannot be the sole motivator of one's life. This partially nihilistic film succeeds in doing everything it aimed to achieve, and is a timeless masterpiece that will be appreciated by future generations for ever.

This title has:

Great messages
Great role models
See all 5 parent reviews

What's the Story?

THE WIND RISES is a fictionalized biography of Jiro Horikoshi (Joseph Gordon-Levitt), a legendary Japanese aeronautical engineer who was responsible for designing the zero bombers used in World War II. As a boy, young Jiro dreams of becoming a fighter pilot, but because of his near-sightedness, he realizes that's not meant to be; in a dream, he encounters the world-famous Italian aeronautical engineer Giovanni Caproni (Stanley Tucci), who encourages Jiro to design planes even if he can't fly them: "Engineers turn dreams into reality." Jiro grows up, saves a young girl and her nanny during the Kanto Earthquake of 1923, goes to engineering school, and then joins an engineering firm that's competing for military contracts. Throughout his adulthood, Jiro travels and refines his vision of making beautiful planes for the glory of Japan.

Is It Any Good?

Visually, this is a gorgeous film. The film doesn't include any mythical creatures or fantastical worlds; it's all Japan, the sky, the fields, the wind, and those beautiful planes of Jiro's dreams. This is a contemplative story that requires a patient audience. Young kids used to high-octane adventures may not be ready for this introspective tribute to a visionary man, who may have known in the abstract that his designs would one day be used in war, but who really just wanted to, as Caproni told him, make his dreams a reality.

The second half of the film features a heartbreaking romance between Jiro and the now grown-up girl he once ushered to safety during the 1923 Earthquake. Naoko (Emily Blunt) is herself an artist who loves landscapes. They long to marry, but Naoko suffers from tuberculosis, a disease even the brilliant Jiro can't troubleshoot. Their scenes together are romantic, but also devastatingly sad -- like when he spends a night finishing blueprints with one hand firmly grasping his ill young wife's hand. The story line isn't exactly a nailbiter, but this is a quietly powerful movie about what it takes to have a singular vision and dedicate your life to it; a tale of a genius, one can only assume, much like Miyazaki himself.

Talk to Your Kids About ...

  • Families can talk about the theme of dreaming and creating. How are they tied together? What does the movie have to say about striving for your dreams?

  • Jiro doesn't consider himself a part of the military and doesn't think too much about how his planes will be used -- just that he wants to make planes. Does he bear any responsibility for being the creator of warcraft?

  • Critics have mentioned that this film is a lot more serious and less whimsical than other Miyazaki fims; do you agree? What are some of your favorites?

Movie Details

Our Editors Recommend

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