Scarlet Review: A Visually Stunning Yet Narratively Flawed Anime Hamlet
In the crowded landscape of film adaptations of Shakespeare's Hamlet, Mamoru Hosoda's anime interpretation, Scarlet, emerges as a visually ravishing but narratively clunky entry. The film, which transforms the classic tale into a fantasy of prowling knights and deep "nothingness," disappoints from a director known for his brilliance in crafting alternative realms.
A Promising Start That Quickly Unravels
Scarlet begins with a bold exploitation twist on the Danish prince story. Claudius, voiced by David Kaye in the English version, and Gertrude, played by Michelle Wong, openly boast about their plot to murder King Amlet, portrayed by Fred Tatasciore, and seize the throne. Their daughter Scarlet, voiced by Erin Yvette, is left to grapple with vengeance, mirroring the original play's themes. However, Claudius preempts her by administering a vial of poison, leading to her awakening in a wasteland purgatory.
This netherworld is populated by the usurper and his prowling knights, who dissipate into a deeper "nothingness" upon defeat, a fate that also looms for Scarlet if she fails in her quest. While Hosoda has a proven track record in creating immersive alternative realities, as seen in his previous film Belle, Scarlet's realm feels arbitrary and underdeveloped.
Incoherent World-Building and Weak Characterization
The film struggles with coherence, from the unexplained presence of the alive Claudius and his minions in the purgatory to the sudden appearances of a lightning-spewing leviathan that serves narrative convenience. Additionally, the character Hijiri, a paramedic voiced by Chris Hackney, stands out as the sole modern resident, functioning more as a mouthpiece for Hosoda's sententious ideas than a fully realized individual.
Hijiri's pacifism, which he upholds to ludicrous extremes—such as when faced with charging bandits—feels weakly dramatized and baldly stated. Coupled with vacuous philosophical musings like "What is it to die? And what is it to live?", Scarlet fails to capture the lyrical depth of Shakespearean humanism, despite its repeated emphasis on forgiveness.
Stunning Animation Marred by Inconsistencies
Where Scarlet truly shines is in its animation. The character work is lofty-statured, sharply etched, and enhanced with 3D elements, set against immaculate sands and near-photorealistic rubblescapes that evoke the otherworldly artistry of comic-book legend Jean Giraud. However, this visual splendor is undermined by inconsistent stylistic choices, particularly in the Elsinore sections, which languish in sloppy and ungainly 2D animation.
This inconsistency contributes to the film's frustratingly scattershot nature, leaving viewers mystified by the director's choices. Scarlet is set for release in UK and Irish cinemas from 13 March, offering a mixed experience that highlights Hosoda's visual prowess but exposes narrative shortcomings.
