In an underground world where tunnels extend everywhere, even though they live in dark and confined spaces, people wear protective clothes and lead quiet and enjoyable lives. Patema, a princess in her underground village, loves to explore the tunnels. Her favorite place is a 'danger zone' that her village prohibits people from entering. Even though she';s scolded, Patema';s curiosity can';t be held back. No one ever explained what the supposed danger was. On her usual trip to the 'danger zone,' Patema faces unexpected events. When hidden secrets come to light, the story begins to unfold.
The film by Yasuhiro Yoshiura suffers from many of the same flaws as other anime features - a plodding pace, broad humor, a bland heroine and snarly, one-dimensional villains.
Patema Inverted manages to be both exciting and charming and while it may lack a certain 'wow' factor it is an assured and enjoyable piece of storytelling and looks great on the big screen.
Yasuhiro Yoshiura has fashioned an ingenious animated fable, rooted in scientific phenomena which will stir the imaginations of adults and kids alike, challenging as it might be at times for the latter demographic.
Yoshiura keeps the story fairly linear, while playing with perspective and composing many stunning, vertiginous images that consider the different possibilities of being at war with gravity.
"Patema Inverted" mines a lot of entertainment value and social allegory from a pretty great concept despite being held back from greatness by a clunky narrative.
