Overall: 7.9
A simple, elegant story about a complicated era, "Rail of the Star" makes up for what
it lacks in originality with impressive storytelling.
Story: 6.1
That "war is harmful to children and other living things" is a hackneyed if inherently
emotional theme, but "Rail's" point of view keeps it fresh.
Character Development: 8.7
As the film progresses, Chiko subtly matures. Her family gets tighter as it grows
tragically smaller.
Art/Animation: 8.0
Subdued tones give this film a feeling of an earlier era.
Translation: 8.4
It's cool, except for the part in which a character says "Cool!" It's supposed
to be set in the 1940s, after all. The children's dialogue especially comes across with
ease, enhancing the movie's believable portrait of grade school kids.
MPAA Equivalent: PG
Gentle handling of tough subject matter.
X-Factors
Rosebud Factor: 7.5
Snow is such a strong motif that you expect little Charles Foster Kane to cruise
by on a sled.
Flashback-to-Earlier-Parts-of-the-Movie Factor: 8.2
It happens several times and it bugs. Trust the audience's memories, okay?
