Summer Wars (Sama Wozu) (2009)
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76% of critics liked it
(21 reviews) -
88% of users liked it
(3,552 ratings)
An adolescent math wiz unintentionally plunges the virtual world into chaos by solving a numerological riddle that makes the global network vulnerable to attack in this animated sci-fi adventure comedy. When Natsuki asks Kenji to pose as her boyfriend at her grandmother's upcoming birthday… More An adolescent math wiz unintentionally plunges the virtual world into chaos by solving a numerological riddle that makes the global network vulnerable to attack in this animated sci-fi adventure comedy. When Natsuki asks Kenji to pose as her boyfriend at her grandmother's upcoming birthday party, the smitten young numbers man jumps at the opportunity. But his summer of romance takes an unexpected turn when Kenji receives a complex math riddle on his cell phone, and solves it without a second thought. In the process, however, Kenji breaches the security of Oz, an extensive virtual realm containing everything from online shopping records to sensitive government documents and even the codes to launch nuclear weapons. Later, when a malicious AI program dubbed Love Machine begins gathering all of this data and threatens to bring the entire information infrastructure to its knees, Kenji, Natsuki, and her family must figure out a way to clear up the mess before it plunges the planet into chaos. ~ Jason Buchanan, Rovi
- Directed By
- Mamoru Hosoda
- Written By
- Satoko Okudera
- Genres
- Action & Adventure, Animation, Science Fiction & Fantasy, Comedy
- In Theaters
- Dec 24, 2010 Limited
- Studio
- GKIDS
Critic Reviews
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Joe Morgenstern, Wall Street Journal
The filmmakers can't keep the strands of their clumsy plot straight, but they create brilliant images and manipulate them with blithe abandon.
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Steven Rea, Philadelphia Inquirer
An enjoyably trippy Japanese animated feature from director Mamoru Hosoda, Summer Wars combines real-world drama (school crushes, testy relatives) with virtual-world dramatics.
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Stephanie Merry, Washington Post
The relationship between Kenji and Natsuki unfolds as blandly as a Debra Messing rom-com.
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Lisa Kennedy, Denver Post
It's a sugar rush of candy-colored images, a beautifully drawn tale of family tradition and a bracing brain tonic about the Internet's charms and vulnerabilities.
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Kevin Thomas, Los Angeles Times
A sophisticated yet poignant family entertainment with an appeal beyond Japanese animation buffs.
See more critic ratings and reviews on Rotten Tomatoes
Fresh (60% or more critics rated the movie positively)
Rotten (59% or fewer critics rated the movie positively)
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Cast
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Michael Sinterniklaas
as Kenji
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Brina Palencia
as Natsuki
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Pam Dougherty
as Sakae
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Todd Haberkorn
as Sakuma
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J. Michael Tatum
as Wabisuke
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Maxey Whitehead
as Kazuma
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John Swasey
as Mansuke
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Shelley Calene-Black
as Mariko
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Lydia Mackay
as Naomi
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Mike McFarland
as Shota
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Monica Rial
as Yumi
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Barry Yandell
as Mansaku
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Chuck Huber
as Riichi
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Cynthia Cranz
as Rika
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John Burgmeier
as Tasuke
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Christopher Sabat
as Katsuhiko
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Robert McCollum
as Yorihiko
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Brittney Karbowski
as Yuhei
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Alison Viktorin
as Shingo
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Patrick Seitz
as Kunihiko
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Colleen Clinkenbeard
as Noriko
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Jennifer Seman
as Kiyomi
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Cherami Leigh
as Mao
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Caitlin Glass
as Nana
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Bill Jenkins
as Kazuo
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Anastasia Munoz
as Yukiko
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E. Jason Liebrecht
as Ryohei
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Tia Ballard
as Kana
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Nanami Sakuraba
as Natsuki Shinohara
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Ryunosuke Kamiki
as Kenji Koiso
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Ayumu Saito
as Wabisuke Jinnouchi
- Sumiko Fuji
- Mitsuki Tanimura


