matteroffact

While some reviewers have compared Summer Wars to a Miyazaki type of work, Summer Wars really fills a space between Isao Takahata (Pom Poko, Only Yesterday, My Neighbors the Yamadas) and Satoshi Kon. Summer Wars has the pace and intrigue of Satoshi Kon but melds in a human side similar to Isao Takahata's more slice-of-life type works. The characters are warm and believable, the action fast paced, and you will fret and cheer along with a fantastic crew of characters in a fun to experience world. 

The story follows math nerd Kenji into the vibrant and chaotic family life of his classmate Natsuki just as the world goes crazy. A virtual program, OZ (think Facebook + Second Life and raised to the 5th power) which links much of life together, goes haywire because a hacker trying to ruin the world. Kenji and Natusuki's whole clan rush into action to save the day. 

Two intriguing themes in the film are (1) how digital life is both blessing and curse and (2) how something as old fashioned as family can never be done without. Both themes are played off each other as in a mix of the old, the new and the enduring in the face of the possibilities we create for ourselves, both good and bad.