Modest Heroes Blu-ray/DVD

MODEST HEROES is an anthology of three 19-minute long featurettes each showcasing different art styles. The first of many such films planned, produced by Studio Ponoc (made of a team of artists formerly at Studio Ghibli), all three shorts do an amazing job of displaying the talent demonstrated by the animators involved. The first tale, "Kanini and Kanino", involves two pint-sized "crab hunter" children braving the seas to rescue their parents while stalked by a menacing trout. (It's also the only one not to be dubbed, as its dialogue is sparse.) The second, "Life Ain't Gonna Lose", consists of a little boy's adverse allergy to any food with eggs. The final story, "Invisible," centers on a man who is all but unnoticed by everyone around. If you're looking for something different, MODEST HEROES might be worth a look. The dubbing is, as usual for a GKids release, quite enjoyable, with Maggie Q speaking for the boy's mother in the second short.

As Studio Ponoc’s first short film program, “Modest Heroes” works on all fronts. The shorts included depict what it truly means to be a hero to the people we care about most in our lives, coming out in a world where it feels like superhero movies are about a dime a dozen these days. And at the same time, “Modest Heroes” is clear proof that Ponoc is hitting their stride and really setting themselves apart from their predecessor, Studio Ghibli. The more I think about it, I feel like “Life Ain’t Gonna Lose” is my favorite short of the three. I may not have a food allergy, but my mom is a dietitian, so I understand how she supports her patients, even those who have food allergies themselves.

It's gratifying to see the legacy of Studio Ghibli still being carried on with Studio Ponoc. While they haven't quite achieved their predecessor's greatness, these shorts do an excellent job of showcasing their versatility. The second one, in particular, is my favorite -- full of honest, real emotion and genuine heart. Also, sorry, but the dubs on this set are not horrible at all. Like any of the Ghibli dubs, they are quite well done. I rather liked Maggie Q's turn as the Mother, and everyone else fares well, too. I was a bit disappointed the first short wasn't dubbed, but given that the dialogue in there is mostly minimalist, it's somewhat understandable. This collection is great in either language. DON'T listen to any purists who say otherwise.

The story and characters of these short films were a wonder to watch but another thing that blew me away was the art style. Each short has a different art style and they’re all beautiful to look at. The first one amazed me with how beautiful the river scene looked. Even the water looked like it was real. The second one goes for a more subtle warmness that’s pleasant to look at and goes for a more hand drawn style for the climax. It reminded me of Ghibli’s Princess Kaguya. The third one ends it off with a more dark and dreary art style. Rainy days and somber colors really brought out the tone of this one. In the end, I just wanted to see more and wonder what’s in store next. Definitely recommend.