Professor Layton and the Eternal Diva – Reiton kyôju to eien no utahime (2009)

Directed by: Masakazu Hashimoto | 95 minutes | action, drama, thriller, animation, adventure, fantasy, science fiction | Original voice cast: Maki Horikita, Nana Mizuki, Mamiko Noto, Yô Ôizumi, Shiro Saito

An animated film produced by the man behind Pokémon and sourced from a Nintendo DS game series can hardly be taken seriously by the serious, self-respecting movie buff. Game edits rarely produce successful films, let alone that a puzzle game – with adventurous elements, that is – on a Nintendo handheld could turn this tide. The infamous ‘Super Mario Bros.’, starring Nintendo’s greatest hero, has mercilessly crushed any goodwill in this area. And although ‘Pokémon’ is (or has been) a huge success, it is not something that spectators who have passed puberty are enthusiastic about. What a surprise, then, that the film ‘Professor Layton and the Eternal Diva’ turns out to be a hugely entertaining animated film for both young and old, which on the one hand remains faithful to the characters and puzzle elements of the game and on the other hand can stand on its own with a adult movie story full of adventure, action, and even drama. Keep part two coming!

When starting the DVD or Blu-ray, the omens don’t seem to be favorable when the viewer is confronted with a promotional video for the new game about Professor Layton for the Nintendo DS. But all skepticism proves unfounded when the film itself begins, with its quick, light-hearted introductions, cartoony yet amiable characters and beautifully designed London locations. Luke, Layton’s young assistant, acts as the narrator, allowing some backgrounds and story elements to be communicated quickly and allowing the viewer to dive straight into Layton’s world and his adventure. Not the most cinematic solution perhaps, but at least it’s efficient. And actually, the first scenes tell enough about the characters and activities of Layton and Luke: They, like some McGyver, Indiana Jones, or Sherlock Holmes, have to solve a puzzle in order to open a large door and catch a villain. Meanwhile, the bond between mentor and pupil only grows stronger.

The parallels to Sherlock Holmes (and Watson) and James Bond are obvious – even fragments of iconic Bond music can be heard – but the inspirations even seem to hark back to Greek myth and legend. Thus, the puzzles and trials imposed on the visitors of the opera house by the evil genius in the film are like the trials imposed on Odysseus by the Greek gods. Only the villain’s voice can be heard – from above, like the voice of God – explaining the rules for each puzzle and seeming to rule over life and death. It can also not be a coincidence that the lost city in the film is called Ambrosia, after the food of the (Greek) Gods. The makers clearly know their classics.

The puzzles present themselves as an interesting morality game: From the large group of visitors there can only be one winner, who can win the ultimate prize: eternal life. The flip side of the coin is that all losers will die. A similar kind of test or dilemma as in that other Japanese production, ‘Battle Royale’, where students were captured on an island and only got out by killing each other. In the end it doesn’t get as wry or psychologically taxing as this story, as it soon becomes clear that the participants have no choice and do not have to literally kill each other when carrying out the assignments. But the puzzle elements nevertheless acquire an interesting dramatic charge from this context. As a viewer you are really in suspense and it is sometimes quite difficult to swallow when another group of people falls through an opening in the floor after a wrong solution of a puzzle. Also cinematically, elegant shots are used to create tension, for example by turning the “camera” away from a dramatic moment and pointing it at a gently moving chandelier on the ceiling.

But, while it will certainly be too exciting for the littlest ones, ‘Professor Layton and the Eternal Diva’ remains a family film and is clearly intended for entertainment. And that’s what the film offers, with humor, cartoony characters, and lots of action: car chases, homemade flying machine, fistfights, and even an incredible rescue of Luke on the “body” of a gigantic robot – a cliché from Japanese animation films apparently used here. also should not be missing. But despite the explosions and sometimes fierce battles, the most important thing is love and friendship. This turns out to be the film’s most important reveal, in some intimate and melodramatic moments between a father and daughter, again giving way to reflections on life, death, and the immortal soul – or at least love. The Japanese can’t help but add something philosophical to even something “simple” like a film adaptation of a puzzle game.

It seems a bit of a strange combination of elements, but in ‘Layton and the Eternal Diva’ it often works very well, with something for everyone. The youthful viewer can mirror the energetic and enthusiastically talking Luke, laugh at the slapstick of the exaggerated inspector, and enjoy Layton’s puzzles and finds, while the adult viewer can focus a little more on the dramatic elements and enjoy the extra. of the beautiful 3D environments in which the simply drawn 2D characters are located. There is always something to skimp on: the somewhat overblown melodrama, the sometimes cumbersome and somewhat pointless puzzles, the lack of some welcome context, perhaps, but in fact ‘Professor Layton’ can only make us happy. The film (probably) lives up to the games, has succeeded as a stand-alone animation film, and is very enjoyable for young and old, with well-dosed humor, drama, and action. And he provides the kids with a great role model, because Luke’s greatest desire is to become a gentleman, just like Layton. So a deep bow for the makers of the film.