The House of the Lost on the Cape Review - Renegade Animation #75
In this mini-episode, Captain Kaye and the Animation Guru review the latest film from Eleven Arts and David Production, The House of the Lost on the Cape.
What’s going on, everyone? This is your Captain speaking, and I am proud to present another mini-episode of Renegade Animation! This is our official review for the latest film from David Production and director Shinya Kawatsura, The House of the Lost on the Cape.
The House of the Lost on the Cape
When a devastating natural disaster leaves 17-year-old run-away Yui and 8-year-old orphan Hiyori without a home, they are taken in by Kiwa, a strange old woman who offers to let them stay in an abandoned yet suspiciously well-kept house overlooking the sea, known as a Mayoiga: a legendary house, said to look after lost travelers. Despite Yui’s hesitation to trust anyone and Hiyori’s inability to speak, they begin to form a sisterly bond that allows them to find comfort in the Mayoiga and embrace Kiwa’s hospitality. However, when a menacing entity is accidentally released and threatens their new home, the three must face their fears to save it.
The more I sit with this movie, the more I love it. It can be a bit of a slow burn at first, as the first half is spent establishing our main protagonists and the world in which they inhabit. However, things start to pick up towards the second half as the conflict escalates. The film uses the 2011 Tohoku tsunami and earthquake as the catalyst for a quiet, yet powerful character study. It’s less about the disaster itself, and more about the aftermath. Reiko Yoshida’s script makes these characters feel authentic, as does the incredible English voice cast, including Madeleine Morris as Yui, Risa Mei as Hiyori, and Pat Dougherty as Kiwa. The animation from David Production isn’t overly stylized, but it fits the overall tone of the film. In the podcast, Cameron and I both highly recommend the film, but I’ll let him have the final word.
“The House of the Lost on the Cape is like a warm hug with its overall journey of healing, and finding family and hope during tough times. It shows how coming together to help one another can raise themselves up from dark times and be a wonderful experience. If you can find a theater that will be playing this film, I definitely recommend checking it out. Otherwise, it will be coming out on Blu-ray and digital in a few weeks.” -The Animation Guru
That will do it for this mini-episode! Thank you guys for joining us, and stay tuned as always for more coming your way!
