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Poster for Summer Wars

Summer Wars

Always protect your network.

2009 · 1h 54m · PG Animation, Science Fiction
Directed by Mamoru Hosoda

Seen it?

Overview

Teenage math whiz Kenji Koiso agrees to take a summer job at the Nagano hometown of his crush, Natsuki. When he arrives, he finds that her family have reunited to celebrate the 90th birthday of their matriarch. His job: pretend to be Natsuki's fiancé. Meanwhile, his attempt to solve a mathematical equation causes a parallel world's collision with Earth.

Director and cast

Critics on Rotten Tomatoes

Top critics, in their words

All reviews
77%
Tomatometer
Fresh

The filmmakers can't keep the strands of their clumsy plot straight, but they create brilliant images and manipulate them with blithe abandon.

Joe Morgenstern, Wall Street Journal
Fresh

An enjoyably trippy Japanese animated feature from director Mamoru Hosoda, Summer Wars combines real-world drama (school crushes, testy relatives) with virtual-world dramatics.

Steven Rea, Philadelphia Inquirer
Rotten

The relationship between Kenji and Natsuki unfolds as blandly as a Debra Messing rom-com.

Stephanie Merry, Washington Post
Fresh

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.

Lisa Kennedy, Denver Post
Fresh

A sophisticated yet poignant family entertainment with an appeal beyond Japanese animation buffs.

Kevin Thomas, Los Angeles Times

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