Jana Monji Age of the Geek Sep 25, 2023 3/5

This is an interesting tale that is an adaptation of a manga series that was published after a different pandemic, but this film came out during the COVID-19 pandemic with a lot of thoughtful observations.

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Carla Hay Culture Mix Dec 19, 2022

The Deer King had the potential to be compelling anime. Unfortunately, the movie fails to capture the adventurous spirit of the novels and is bogged down by clichés, trite dialogue, and frequently tedious pacing.

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Douglas Davidson Elements of Madness Nov 16, 2022 2.5/5

Perhaps because Ando needed to condense everything down into a 113-minute movie items were lost or pushed aside, but there’s so much about "The Deer King" which dissatisfies upon the conclusion.

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Kambole Campbell Hyperallergic Nov 10, 2022

"The Deer King"’s delicate world-building plus its curious mix of the medical and the spiritual creates a strikingly different fantasy film.

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Samuel Leggett Jr. JVS Media & Productions/Team JVS Aug 11, 2022 8/10

The 2D animation, the important themes of life and sacrifice, and great voice acting talent makes this a good anime. At times is slow and the beauty takes away from focus, but the willingness to push past duty/tragedy is inspiring as humanity everything

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Max Copeman Radio Times Aug 4, 2022 3/5

It's unlikely to appeal to anybody except keen anime fans.

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Wendy Ide Observer (UK) Jul 31, 2022 2/5

The clear lines of the elegant 2D animation are not matched by the mythic muddle of the storytelling, an exposition-heavy slog of warring factions, convoluted webs of enchantment and a deadly, wolf-borne pandemic for good measure.

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Gemma Creagh Film Ireland Magazine Jul 29, 2022

The Deer King is not what you could call an escapist film given recent world events, but at least delivers a satisfying visual spectacle when taken in isolation.

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Eddie Harrison film-authority.com Jul 28, 2022 4/5

The Deer King may not be as personable as the best of Ghibli, but it’s got a literate flavour of its own, and is commended to those who like their wolves fearsome, justice swift, and to see the triumph of nature writ large in fabulous animated colour

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James Perkins Starburst Jul 27, 2022 3/5

Whilst The Deer King boasts great traits such as a gorgeous art style and grand-scope world-building, the sheer magnitude of the complex story is hindered by its two-hour runtime...

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Courtney Lanning Arkansas Democrat-Gazette Jul 25, 2022

[Production I.G.] handled the film's art. The studio did a wonderful job providing natural-looking animation for how the wolves and deer move in this movie, pivotal since the animals get so much screen time.

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Phuong Le Guardian Jul 25, 2022 2/5

One can only hope that, in future, the directors will have a better script that may befit their talents as animators.

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Tim Brayton Alternate Ending Jul 22, 2022 3/5

Too beautiful to dismiss, but perhaps not actually <em>watchable</em>.

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Nguyên Lê The Spool Jul 21, 2022

Production I.G’s film fumbles whenever it has to address something else besides its epic attributes.

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Mariló Delgado Espinof Jul 21, 2022 3.5/5

On many fronts, the plot doesn't offer anything new and there are loose seams everywhere, but the marvelous visual aspect and the scenery end up giving Miyaji and Ando's film character and identity. [Full review in Spanish]

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Tara McNamara Common Sense Media Jul 19, 2022 3/5

Director Masashi Ando is a phenomenal animator, one of the greats, and he doesn't disappoint in that respect here -- but directing doesn't appear to come as naturally.

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Aaron Neuwirth We Live Entertainment Jul 19, 2022 7/10

I can understand the high bar created by Studio Ghibli, but Production I.G. and directors Masashi Ando and Masayuki Miyaji took on a challenge where the quality is undoubtedly reflected in the final product.

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Avi Offer NYC Movie Guru Jul 18, 2022

A dull premise with lackluster execution. The Lion King still reigns supreme.

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Therese Lacson Collider Jul 16, 2022 B-

For lovers of Japanese animation, the film will please them and introduce them to Ando as a creative director, but for those looking for a replacement for Ghibli, this isn't it.

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Chris Sawin Hub Pages Jul 16, 2022 2.5/5

The Deer King is as visually gorgeous as any Studio Ghibli film. But even with its exceptional animation, its storytelling and pacing is lacking as the film seems to prioritize monotonous dialogue and petty human squabbling over anything remotely exciting

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