Audience reviews
20 · Sample from the first available page, separate from the total number of ratings.
Tyga2
English Version:
In Hal, it’s about a romance between the boy Hal and his girlfriend Kurumi. Hal lost his life in a plane crash, and as a result, Kurumi withdrew more and more out of grief. A doctor, in order to help her, created a robot that is identical to Hal in every aspect, from his appearance to his behavior. The anime isn’t necessarily beautifully drawn, and it’s not a conventional romance, but it has quite an unexpected plot that makes the anime stand out. I have mixed feelings and think the short runtime of the film is the issue. It’s not necessarily the most recommended film, but those who want to can give it a try to form their own opinion.
German Version:
In "Hal" geht es um eine Romanze zwischen dem Jungen Hal und seiner Freundin Kurumi. Hal hat bei einem Flugzeug Unfall se…
Read at the sourcetsujiri
TLDR version: This film was less 'love story in Kyoto' and more 'mediocre sci-fi fanfic'. Everything is half-hearted in this show.
Long version:
I was so excited going into this film. Seeing the Kibuneguchi (貴船口駅) sign set me off, and I knew it had the makings of a beautiful, heartfelt anime... good looking characters, a colorful craft / souvenier shop set in the heart of Gion... what's not to like? It's got the recipe for the perfect love story in Kyoto, and (almost) everybody loves Kyoto. Except that this film wasn't so much about 'love story in Kyoto/Japan' as it was 'mediocre sci-fi fanfic.'
Things they should've improved on to make it a 10/10 in my completely biased and uneducated opinion:
- Storytelling
Ohmygod. This movie could have been almost completely salvaged if it wasn't for…
Read at the sourceJustykanna
Let's get in a review for an hour long movie!
Story: Hal doesn't take long to get going, as it immediately shows us of a couple, Hal and Kurumi, who are in love. However, one day, a freak airplane accident occurs with Hal on it. As a result, Kurumi goes into a deep isolation and refuses to interact with the world at all. In an attempt to make things right for his granddaughter, Kurumi's father enlists a robot, known as Q01 to be sent to Kurumi's house with the looks and voice of Hal.
In the one hour runtime, the story doesn't let up at all, attempting to keep you in the story for the entire time. They throw plot point after plot point at you, one after the other. The beginning to middle of the film were very well told. Some of the points are clearly more significant than others and it fe…
Read at the sourcebananakittyrose
Hal is a movie that suprised me in a good way.
I found the art amazing and loved the way they did it, the music also helped drag me further into the story and make me invested. The story on another hand, I wish it was a little longer so we could get more into the characters and get more story wise, but overall I still loved the movie for what it is.
Overall the story felt a little to rushed for my liking, as I felt I was missing out on details or other perspective that might have made me even more invested then what I was. It would be interesting to go deeper than just scraping the surface as this movie does.
This is a great move to watch if you are looking for something new and most people will like it.
Read at the sourcejose_samson1004
I was really hoping to tear up when I watched this. The plot was good but the execution and pacing was not. They should have invested more time so that we can relate to the characters more. I wished that they did not rushed it. It has a good plot. The story goes out with a drama of losing some one dear to you and the main character is in denial of the things that had happened. Never have I imagined they can create a concept about it with the story. Hence; the rushed paced really ruined the teary moments for me. I wanted to have an emotional state when I watched this, but i just can't cause the involvement with the characters are lacking so much with the way they did it.
Read at the sourceUnflavouredSauce
As a cuber, I got triggered because of all of the inaccurate cubing scenes.
If you are a cuber, I recommend you to be prepared for serious trigger warnings.
Like the logic doesnt make sense. How do you 1 side randomly and somehow the pieces fit perfectly (for the wishes). Also its a 5x5 so its worse. and also, for some cubes, they solve the 5x5 by doing it 1 side at a time. Like bruh, thats not how it works.
Other than that, the story's decent, not too special. I just watched it cuz I wanted to see the cubing logic.
Read at the sourcenicnac5814
SPOILER WARNING!!!!!!!!!
With a movie with a premise that is basically just if Steven Spielberg’s Artificial Intelligence was a romance anime, one would think Hal would be a pretty epic film. And it seems like a lot of people thought that it WAS epic and were pretty depressed after watching the ending. But personally, I couldn’t get past its major flaws enough to really feel invested.
The main problem? The characters. Which is pretty fatal considering that this is a movie on characters. It’s so disappointing because I think the film was great in all other departments. The art was excellent both frame-wise and conceptually. I loved watching their glimpses of the streets of Japan. And might I just add, the water in the climax was GORGEOUS (we will set what happened in that scene). The plot…
Read at the sourceAndre_Alexander
Spoiler free article: A short description that's just a bit longer than normal synopsis to give you rough idea what to expect from this anime. Conclusion for TL;DR at the end of the articles.
Reading time: 2 minutes read
Review:
This is one of the few anime from back then that's so good but so few people know about it. It's a very compelling anime with the right amount of drama in a 60 minutes span, by itself it's a good anime that's able to evoke various emotions throughout the show, but if I compare it to similar anime, it's a rather underwhelming since the other similar anime have 90 minutes or longer duration, so the plot feels more natural, while this anime's pace feel so rushed. I feel like they wasted a lot potential by not exploring the side character such as Ryu. There's a lot o…
Read at the sourceIsmata-chan
With themes of reflecting on and dealing with grief, regrets, loss, healing, and understanding, I highly recommend this as an anime for everyone to watch. It is a really bittersweet ride, but I think everyone can take something from this. The ending has really stuck with me and that last scene hit me hard. I don't want to spoil it because it is most potent when you go in blind.
I honestly can't recommend this enough. There might be a time when you need to cope like these characters do and I think this has a great story of learning how to.
Read at the sourcewisterihanna
when I watched this I was trying to find sad anime movies (mostly because i needed a good cry and I had already gotten over a silent voice and kimi no na wa and more.) and I wasn't disappointed... the anime overall is pretty good even though it was really rushed I think if they had taken their time or smth it would've been better. The plot twist took my by surprise and I think as someone whose lost something or someone maybe it may seem relatable (i found it relatable atleast) I'd say watch it if you need a good cry, a short sweet movie or you have nothing else to watch
Read at the sourcesoujinx06
you know that mood when you feeling sad and want to eat all the snacks in the world all alone, that's how I feel after watching it
Plot: 7
I'm enjoyed, the soft love between Hal and Kurumi, was touchable, but what I really liked was Ryuu and the friendship even if it was for like 1 minute from 60 minute
Characters: 4
I was disappointment
maybe my fav one will be Ryuu, seems like it will be better if they get some memories for him cause he didn't show that much
Art: 8 Wit Studio who made "Attack on Titan" done a good job here
Overall: 7
Re-watch?
no, its that kind of anime that you watch for one time no more, if you feeling bored and want to take rest from what you are watching now.. try Hal movie
Read at the sourceAgent_Redacted
This movie sucks. The plot twist in my opinion was entirely unnecessary and it pretty much ruined all the story and character development. If it wasn't for the stupidity at the end of the movie. I would've given this movie a better score. Way better. Sadly, the past change be changed therefore fuck this shit.
Though this show's interpretation is respectable. To a great degree, I don't agree with it. The "humans can be comforted by robot" cliche is utterly cretinous unless the story's actually immensely good. Which in this movie is not.
There are so many reasons why this movie is dogshit. Up until the point where I just can't be bothered to write a longer review anymore. So for that reason, good bye.
Read at the sourceAppleDangani
Hal Movie Review
By Ryotaro Makihara
May 18 2019
Overall: 10
Plot: 10
Before watching it, I already have an idea that this movie will break my heart. Long ago, I've already read the manga version of it and as far as I know, it is only a one shot story. This movie is about a tragic teenage love, missing and longing for each other. The feeling of regret, misery, and pain because of the words left unsaid. It shows how one need to move forward despite everything that pulls him down. That even if all the part of your life is so mess up, there's still a reason not to give up. That you can still find happiness and joy. And you should still he grateful that you are still alive with so many chances to change for the better.
Character: 10
There are few characters of the story. And among those…
Read at the sourceLockstarHD
The story has been extremely unique I have never seen any anime or movie with such a premise to it, and the ending was such a surprise it honestly blew my mind I wasn't expecting it at all which I really liked about it.
The art style was nice and smooth and not over the top, it allowed you see how the characters would see the world they live in and see the people around them.
The sound was extraordinary, when outside hearing people on the road, and when inside only hearing noise from inside the house never had noticed it before either.
The characters their backstory was well explained and their present was good, even the start the characters were well built.
The enjoyment extremely interesting, fun, and unexpected every corner was a surprise.
Read at the sourcedimlion7
I've watched many anime's that delve into the theme of "what it means to be human". From Plastic Memories, Chobits, Time of Eve, and several others. They all have this high-tech or futuristic society with robots exhibiting human emotion.
"Spoilers"
With Hal, this was a very reminiscent feeling, but at the same time, Hal was a bit unique. It's a movie or story about a woman that has lost her fiancee or boyfriend, or does she? A robot is sent to her that resembles her dead fiance, Hal. Throughout the film, the relationship between Hal and the woman progresses. With the woman growing closer to the robot, it just seems too good to be true. Which it is, but that's about how far I will spoil this work for you.
Art: 9 - Beautiful, Stunning Artwork
Sound: 7 - Music that is able to blend wit…
Read at the sourceBabyGirl06301
I mean, I came here for a Detroit: Become Human experience, and that, I did not get.
Listen, this movie was... okay. The art was, overall, pretty gorgeous. I've definitely seen better art out there, but Hal had nice, tranquil environments to it that were nice to be a part of. The music wasn't anything special. I can't really comment on it.
The story is the main issue I had while watching it. I think most of the issue could've been fixed with a longer movie or even with an 11 episode anime. No. 6 is a good example of an anime that can get in and get out with a quick story while still having a complete and sensical story. Hal did have something good going for it with the story, but it was way too rushed, and it wasn't explained. You were kind of thrown into world of vast technology where…
Read at the sourceSenpaiDray
The build up is not enough to make me care about the characters. Honestly I got bored for the first 40 minutes. Yeah the plot twist is unexpected and the animation is great, but it only makes me a bit sad and not cry.
I can't blame the duration as there're movies with shorter duration like Garden of Words or Hotarubi no Mori e (both only 45 mins) but is much better in terms of conveying the emotions. The problem is in the pacing, the development between the 2 characters feels rushed and it lack details.
Overall, it didn't work for me and I'm disappointed.
Read at the sourceMeltskee
**MINOR SPOILORS**
I just got done watching Attack on Titan season 2, and I was curious as to what other series Wit Studio has done. I picked out this movie because the cover image was colorful and caught my eye. I am a sucker for android involved story lines, so I knew I had to watch it after I read the synopsis. In the end, the movie didn't quite reach my expectations.
Story (4/10):
There was a steady story line in the beginning, but I was disappointed around halfway through. It felt like a lot was lacking, but I'm not sure what it was. A lot wasn't explained. Are there other robots besides Q01? How did Ryuu and Hal exactly meet? Who is Ryuu besides him being Hal's friend? The story was just a bigger let down than I had wanted it to be.
Art (8/10):
I really liked looking at the charact…
Read at the sourceHitori_Samishiku
After watching the movie, I can conclusively say the story was the weakest aspect. The setting itself takes place in a realistically futuristic world and needs little elaboration as many aspects of the world are nonverbally understood and the things needed to be explained usually are (hint, usually). The problems occur when relatively important things are brought up briefly but then never acknowledged or explained. The core story and interaction between leading characters was fine and the plot twist was actually very interesting, as I've never seen such before. But the little nuances and side stories are inconsistent and unresolved, weighing down the story score to a less than optimal result.
But the art, voice acting, and just environmental effects overall are just phenomenal (as expect…
Read at the sourceSillySunrise
First of all I have to admit the movie ended before I even knew it, so enjoyment wise, it got me hooked and by the time the conclusion came I was shocked it's over. I highly recommend to watch this if you feel like exploring new storytelling ways, it might not be one of it's kind, but it's rare to run into such movies where even though it's slow paced, it fools you through and through. I'm trying my best not to ruin the plot twist because when you watch it you'll know it's one of the best plot twists out there story wise.
Although the story is compelling the characters seem lacking a bit, that's probably one of the reasons I felt like there has to be more to the story because I could count a dozen of times where there was more story to explore. The art is nothing special even though there…
Read at the source
