Arco: Time Travel & Ghibli-Inspired Animation – Review

A young boy feeding chickens and pigs dreams of time travel in the opening scene of “Arco,” a new animated film now playing in Czech cinemas. But this idyllic farm isn’t grounded in the present – it’s perched high in the clouds, one of the levels of a massive, futuristic home that resembles a metallic tree more than a traditional building.

Ten-year-old Arco lives 900 years in the future, but he’s not yet old enough to travel through time – he has to wait until he turns 12.

The feature debut from French animator Ugo Bienvenu, recently nominated for an Oscar for Best Animated Feature, beautifully balances past and future themes. This isn’t just about the mechanics of time travel, but a deeper exploration of how we connect with different eras.

From the very beginning, the animation, world-building, and pacing of the film evoke the style of Japan’s Studio Ghibli and the work of its master storyteller, Hayao Miyazaki. Like Miyazaki’s beloved films – enchanting stories about children and encounters with incredible creatures – “Arco” feels universally appealing and accessible to audiences of all ages. The film emphasizes tradition while incorporating elements of sci-fi and fantasy, creating striking parallels to our own reality.

“Arco” will undoubtedly delight young fans of Miyazaki’s films like “My Neighbor Totoro” and “Ponyo,” as well as older viewers familiar with Ghibli titles like “Nausicaä of the Valley of the Wind” and “Princess Mononoke.” Bienvenu also excels at creating relatable characters, then launching them into extraordinary adventures.

Arco is frustrated that his parents and older sister embark on time-traveling expeditions while he’s left behind. He longs to visit the age of dinosaurs, but for now, he’s limited to studying local flora and hearing stories about Triceratops. Eventually, he can’t resist any longer, steals his sister’s travel suit, and sets off into the past. The film portrays time travel poetically, visualizing each traveler as a shimmering rainbow.

Unfortunately, Arco’s rainbow doesn’t quite land him where he intended. Instead of arriving millions of years in the past, he finds himself in 2075.

This future world is strikingly different. The planet is ravaged by fire, and cities are protected by massive, retractable domes. Robots handle childcare and maintain order, and a young girl named Iris spends most of her time at home with Mikkie, a kind but somewhat unsettling robot caregiver. Her parents are often absent, appearing only as holograms during mealtimes as they work in the city.

Lonely Iris lives in a world that doesn’t need to be overtly dystopian to feel unsettling. When a boy in a rainbow suit suddenly falls from the sky, Iris discovers that other futures are possible. The joy of the film lies in exploring what’s ordinary for each character and what’s extraordinary.

“Arco” isn’t entirely original, drawing inspiration from numerous sources. Beyond its clear influence from Japanese animation, the film’s visual style recalls the work of French artist Moebius and the films of René Laloux. The story also echoes classic narratives from “Peter Pan” to “E.T. the Extra-Terrestrial.” However, the film’s strength lies in how it skillfully weaves these familiar elements together.

Adding a French flair is a trio of quirky characters who are clearly searching for Arco, their motives unclear. These bumbling figures would fit right into a farcical French comedy.

The film deftly blends quieter moments of budding friendship with more action-packed sequences, all while presenting two distinct visions of the future. Both Arco and Iris have reasons to marvel at each other’s worlds.

The two environments are visually distinct. The distant future boasts elegant shapes, suggesting humanity has found harmony even after the planet nearly burned. Iris, on the other hand, lives in a world where somewhat clumsily drawn vehicles and equally awkward robots evoke the animation style of classic French children’s series.

Arco comes from a world where people understand bird language, while Iris lives in a space cared for by somewhat imperfect robots. But director Bienvenu never pits the two worlds against each other. Robot Mikki, who manages the household, is a kind companion and ultimately plays a significant role in the story.

Like the films of Hayao Miyazaki, “Arco” doesn’t offer a simple good-versus-evil narrative. It gently encourages viewers to be mindful of their surroundings and take care of them.

However, the ecological theme remains in the background. “Arco” is primarily a universal story about friendship and the consequences of our choices.

Premiering out of competition at the Cannes Film Festival, “Arco” signals a growing openness to animation from the world’s most prestigious film event. Previously, Cannes primarily showcased Hollywood animated blockbusters or more experimental films for adult audiences. This shift may have been spurred by the success of the 2022 Latvian animated feature “The Fabulous Life of Dogs,” which captivated audiences and Oscar voters with its unique artistic style and compelling story.

“Arco” isn’t quite as groundbreaking, but it’s clever, engaging, and accessible enough to become an animated hit this season.