Wonderful Days (Sky Blue) (2003)

55% of critics liked it
(42 reviews)
72% of users liked it
(5,142 ratings)

South Korean filmmaker Kim Mun-saeng directs the animated feature Wonderful Days (also known as Sky Blue). In the year 2142, the Earth's ecosystem has finally given over to overbearing levels of pollution. The popular masses live in a dark and dingy world under perpetually grey skies while a select… More South Korean filmmaker Kim Mun-saeng directs the animated feature Wonderful Days (also known as Sky Blue). In the year 2142, the Earth's ecosystem has finally given over to overbearing levels of pollution. The popular masses live in a dark and dingy world under perpetually grey skies while a select few live in a beautiful city called Ecoban. The city's elite enjoy relative comfort in a environment that is fueled by carbon pollution and generates even more waste matter. When Ecoban security officer Jay discovers her leaders plotting an evil scheme, she begins to doubt her place in it. Meanwhile, her childhood friend Shua is leading a secret rebellion of the masses. He is helped by Dr. Noah, a scientist who originally designed the city. They plan a major attack on Ecoban's power grid, the Delos System. Wonderful Days was shown at the 2003 Cannes Film Festival and the 2004 Sundance Film Festival. ~ Andrea LeVasseur, Rovi

Rating, Runtime: Unrated, 1 hr. 31 min.
Directed By: Moon-Sang Kim, Sunmin Park
Written By: Park Jun-yong, Sunmin Park, Howard Rabinowitz, Jeffrey Winter, Kim Mun-saeng
Genres: Action & Adventure, Animation, Art House & International, Science Fiction & Fantasy

In Theaters: Dec 31, 2004 Limited
Studio: Endgame Entertainment

Critic Reviews

Tom Maurstad, Dallas Morning News
A gorgeous work of animation, juxtaposing photo-realistic backgrounds with surrealistic images and actions. It rewards the effort of seeing it on the big screen.
Michael Booth, Denver Post
The writers leave us little to think about after they've created such blunt stereotypes of the bad and the good.
Stephen Hunter, Washington Post
It's a handsome thing, familiar and new at once, thoroughly entertaining if hardly memorable.
Michael O'Sullivan, Washington Post
The more traditionally drawn 2-D human characters are as flat, in every sense of the word, as can be.
John Monaghan, Detroit Free Press
Only gets into serious trouble when it focuses on human interaction. That's because directors Moon-saeng Kim and Park Sunmin have populated the movie with every stereotype in Asian animation.
Tom Long, Detroit News
It's inventive in story if somewhat standard in character, but it really trips up by leaning on pyrotechnics that never really catch fire. That ultimately puts it in the category of interesting, but not mind-blowing.
Rich Cline, Shadows on the Wall
With livelier, more idiosyncratic voices--as well as more believable dialog--these interesting people and places could have sprung to life in a vivid way.
Jeff Vice, Deseret News, Salt Lake City
Ultimately turns out to be more fascinating as eye candy than as a story.
Frank Swietek, One Guy's Opinion
Visually very impressive but cliched and predictable...just another clone of 'Metropolis' that falls far short of its inspiration.
Eric Monder, Film Journal International
For those appreciative of computer animation, special effects and cinematic production design, Sky Blue will more than suffice as entertainment. Those looking for something lively to watch in the foreground may be disappointed.
Jeff Shannon, Seattle Times
Great to look at, but it's more silly than profound.
Andrew Wright, The Stranger (Seattle, WA)
Thankfully ... ditches much of the ersatz philosophy and concentrates on pure explodo.
Marc Savlov, Austin Chronicle
A riveting, eco-wise epic that'll do fans of both Ralph Nader and Katsuhiro Otomo proud.

Read all 13 critic reviews

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Featured Audience Ratings

Mark W

I used to be a big fan of anime when I was younger but I gradually fell away from it and moved onto different styles as time went on. I never stopped liking it, I just didn't seek it out anymore. When I heard of this though, I decided to delve back into it. Unfortunately, this… More
I used to be a big fan of anime when I was younger but I gradually fell away from it and moved onto different styles as time went on. I never stopped liking it, I just didn't seek it out anymore. When I heard of this though, I decided to delve back into it. Unfortunately, this effort didn't reignite my interest. In 2142, mankind's ecological rape of the planet has sparked a global catastrophe, with survivors living within Ecoban, a city whose energy is provided through the exploitation of proletariat 'diggers'. Jay (Catherine Cavadini), a young female trooper, must decide where her loyalties lie when her friend's actions threaten to destroy Ecoban... but possibly save the planet. Very impressive animation is let down with a seriously dull storyline. In fact, I struggled to see this film to the end, it was so painfully boring. On paper it sounds good and on screen it looks superb but the pace is all wrong and ruins what could have been something special. Diehard anime fans may find plenty to enjoy from this and I enjoy a good animation as much as anyone, but this did not hold my interest in the slightest. There's no denying the beautiful animation but it's wasted and no matter how good it is, it can't save such a borefest. If left on the television, in the background, with the sound turned down while you attend to some household chores it may serve some purpose - much in the same way that an eye-catching fish tank will. As entertainment though? It's seriously lacking.
Alexander W

Aw this is pretty good animation with a very noticeable clash of good vs evil from the two lead characters. Recommended.

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Wonderful Days (Sky Blue) (2003)

Critic Reviews

Featured Audience Ratings

Mark W

Alexander W

Cast

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