Movie reviews of Niels Matthijs

The animation is splendid, the setting is original, the characters are golden and the adventure really comes into its own during the second half. At its best, it's pure Ghibli magic. But it isn't as consistent as Miyazaki's best work, and it bares his weaknesses when he's trying to be big and bold. Review

It's an extremely well-balanced album film, where the entrancing music and stylish visuals feed off each other, combining into an invigorating and encompassing experience. Review

The presentation is slick, performances are grand, the themes are varied and properly explored and all these things complement each other. Review

It's a film that fully commits to its silly premise and is willing to take it to its extreme. Cage is amazing, the animatronics are awesome, the music is hilarious and the deadpan comedy had me in stitches. Review

Kamikaze Douga made a compact, slickly and tightly produced film that looks and sounds beautiful, feels original and packs more surprises than your average flagship title. Review

The kills are gory, Jones is an amazing killer and Kitamura's direction is the right kind of flashy, which makes for a brutal, tense and very entertaining horror flick. People looking for a solid, commercial horror film that doesn't step on the brakes too much should definitely seek it out. Review

Daughters breathes new life into a genre that's become pretty stale of late, by updating its stylistic vocabulary while making sure all its dramatic beats hit the mark. Review

Solid animation, amazing designs, an intriguing premise, several memorable scenes and a fun set of characters make this a moody, intelligent and slick sci-fi thriller. Review

From the smart casting to the predictable cinematography and the discrete score, Himeanole is a film that lulls you to sleep, only to start kicking you in the gut after the halfway mark. Review

The animation is superb, the characters are charming, it's fun to explore its fantasy realm and the pacing is nigh perfect. Good, old-fashioned Ghibli quality in other words. Review

Jam is great entertainment, sporting a healthy amount of black comedy, coupled with solid performances, refined styling and some interesting narrative twists. Review

This sequel is a vibrant action spectacle, sporting some of the most impressive fights in the genre, colorful background drama and perfect pacing that won't leave you a chance to get bored. Review

With its wonderful cinematography, outstanding score and enigmatic lead, Okuyama serves a puzzling trip through the mysterious mind of one of Japan's most prestigious horror writers. Review

A film like this may not be the easiest sell as it lacks a strong dramatic undercurrent, but Yamashita compensates with lovely characters, a beautiful setting and tons of charm. Review

Solid performances, fine cinematography and a noteworthy score all add to the fun, it's just a shame the film faces some pacing issues halfway through. Review

It's a small-scale, subtle and introverted drama that slowly blossoms into a pleasant, comforting and warm-hearted film. Review

Aramaki serves a very capable genre flick, making great use of the Appleseed setting and going beyond technological excellence to create a stylish, extravagant action spectacle. Well recommended if you're looking for some kick-ass, mecha fueled adrenaline. Review

The story may be familiar territory for most, but the exquisite designs, the stylish cinematography, great score and excellent performances make this a film like no other. Review

Gojoe is an energetic film, built on intriguing lore, sporting a stellar cast and delivering one of the most explosive finales in the genre. Review

Final Mission is a slightly more toned down finale to the series, but it's still an extremely stylish, dynamic and blissfully extravagant film that knows no equal. Review

DeBoer & Luebbe made a film that's delightfully unique, genuinely funny, completely perplexing and ultimately satisfying. A comedy that delivers from start to finish. Review

Herdal delivers a very moody and stylistically impeccable mix of mystery and horror, an audiovisual experience that washed over me and stayed with me until the very end. Review

Final Wars brings together all the things that made the Godzilla series great and stitches them together in such a way that there's never a dull moment in sight. It's decidedly cheesy, nonsensical and grotesque, but Kitamura's smart blend of vintage and modern makes it a grand spectacle that honors one of Japan's most iconic monsters in the best way possible. It was a risky bet, but it paid off extremely well. Review

They delivered a raw, energetic and wildly entertaining film that felt fresh and unique. The solid dub, booming soundtrack and exceptional animation are the icing on the cake. I can only hope this wasn't the end of their successful collaboration. Review