‘Blue Giant’ movie review: An ethereal, soulful love letter to jazz like no other

A view of the ‘Blue Giant’

A decade ago, J.K. Simmons elevated Miles Teller to the pinnacle of musical excellence in the final scene of Damien Chazelle’s Oscar-winning debut feature film. Sprain rekindled a cultural flame for jazz, Blue giantHis explosive praise for the genre signals a rediscovery of the appeal of the rebellious, soul-stirring spirit of a genre that had been in decline.

Directed by Yuzuru Tachikawa, who is famous for his work on the anime series Mob Psycho 100, Blue Giant Shin’ichi Ishizuka’s manga of the same name has been adapted into a visually and auditorily captivating experience. The film’s thrilling animation and unique jazz score by the extraordinary Hiromi Uehara weave a tale of dreams, music, and human relationships with artistry that transcends the screen.

The story treads familiar ground — a small-town teen tries to make it big in the city — but it does so with a freshness and intensity that keeps it from cliché. The protagonist, Dai Miyamoto (voiced by Yuki Yamada), leaves his hometown with a saxophone, with a burning passion for jazz and dreams of becoming one of the greats. In Tokyo, he encounters Yukinori Sawabe (Shotaro Mamiya), a talented but eccentric pianist who is frustrated by the waning interest in jazz. Their rapport is electric, with Dai’s raw enthusiasm clashing with Yukinori’s seasoned skepticism, yet ultimately reconciling into something profound and beautiful.

Their trio also includes Shunji Tamada (Amane Okayama), who is brand new to drumming and whose boundless enthusiasm compensates for his lack of initial skill. Their chemistry is full of tension and mutual respect, setting the stage for a partnership that is as tempestuous as it is inspiring. Together they form Jas; a name chosen by happy coincidence, but which reflects their sincere, if somewhat naïve, ambition.

A view of the ‘Blue Giant’

Blue giant excels in portraying the transformative power of music. For Dai, jazz is a spiritual experience, a medium of ecstasy. Yukinori, on the other hand, grapples with his fear of improvement and desire for perfection, reflecting a deep inner conflict. Shunji’s journey is one of self-discovery, as he learns to coordinate his newfound passion with the skills of his bandmates. Each character’s arc is deeply intertwined with their musical growth, making their performance not only a display of talent but also an expression of their innermost self.

When Jas is in full swing, Blue giant It delivers a sensory experience that is nothing short of spectacular, presenting a spectacle of symphony that would give Into the Spider-Verse a run for its money. The 3D animation, capturing the fluid movements of the musicians, seamlessly blends with the hand-drawn elements in a remarkably immersive experience. These visuals are not just accompaniments to the music but extensions of it, the animation bends and twists to reflect how jazz hinges on spontaneity, creating a dialogue between sight and sound that is as captivating as it is unrivalled.

A view of the ‘Blue Giant’

As yet, Blue giant There are also quiet and intimate moments in the film. The film never forgets to highlight the personal struggles and aspirations of its characters, juxtaposing their musical ambitions with an aspiring musician’s biggest hurdle: earning a living. These moments of introspection provide a necessary balance to the high-octane performances.

Jazz enthusiasts will find the film a tribute to the genre’s rich heritage, particularly the influence of legends like John Coltrane, Charlie Parker and Miles Davis. The title itself is a clever amalgam of Coltrane’s seminal albums blue train And giant stepBut it also appears to be a metaphorical nod to the life of a professional musician – who shines like a young blue sun and leaves an indelible mark before his light fades into darkness – a theme that is poignantly captured in the culmination of the trio’s journey in the film.

During their climactic performance at the iconic So Blue Jazz Bar (based on Tokyo’s famous Blue Note Jazz Bar), the animation reaches a fever pitch; the band’s synergy transforms the stage into a pulsating hub of colour and sound, the notes visually expanding and contracting with a mesmerising elasticity. The screen explodes into psychedelic patterns, rainbows and inverted colours dance joyfully across the visual plane, heightening the music’s intensity. Fingers slither across the piano keys, breaths move through the saxophone, and sweat-soaked drumsticks throb with frenetic energy, transforming the spontaneity and emotional depth of jazz into a vivid, almost tactile experience.

It’s Jas. It’s Jazz. And it’s anime at its finest.

Blue Giant is currently playing in theaters.