Ranking near the top of the list of sad anime tearjerkers, 2013's Hal is set in a subtly envisioned future world where intelligent robots are trained to act as caregivers. When a young man named Hal dies in an airplane explosion, his girlfriend Kurumi is broken-hearted, left to face a joyless and solitary existence. But science comes to the rescue in the form of an ultra-lifelike humanoid who steps in as a lookalike of the deceased in order to help the grieving survivor move on. At first Kurumi rebuffs the friendly and polite “Hal,” but eventually she begins to relent and share his company. In the process, however, the new Hal—who is naturally mistaken in the street for his earlier self—learns uncomfortable facts that indicate the relationship with Kurumi was less than idyllic. A last-act whiplash twist throws the entire narrative into a wholly different light (and cranks up the pathos), even as it leaves some nagging questions. A beautifully imagined film bowing in a dual-language Blu-ray/DVD Combo set, rated TV-14, extras include commentary with the American voiceover actors, and “making-of” featurettes. Highly recommended. (C. Cassady)
Hal: The Movie
(2013) 60 min. Blu-ray/DVD Combo: $29.98. Funimation (avail. from most distributors). ISBN: 1-4210-2930-8. Volume 30, Issue 1
Hal: The Movie
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