Patema Inverted centers on a world divided by gravity; in this setting, gravitational pull operates in opposing directions for different groups of people and affects everything from objects to the very ground they stand on. The origin of an item determines its direction of fall, and without protection, individuals and things can plummet into the sky. The core idea behind the film is genuinely captivating. There's a great deal of promise inherent in the premise, with opportunities for thrilling sequences, impressive animation, and truly gripping moments—and the movie largely delivers on that potential. It manages to make the concept engaging throughout its runtime. However, this strength represents about the only area where the film truly excels. The movie’s rhythm felt off at times. It began slowly, gaining momentum as characters revealed certain information and pulled viewers into the action. A significant portion of the film is dedicated to introducing Patema, one of the main characters. While that isn't necessarily a bad thing, she doesn’t prove to be an exceptionally compelling figure; her status as the Chief’s daughter, for instance, barely registers beyond a few lines of dialogue. She participates in some emotionally charged scenes, but they lack impact because her character lacks sufficient depth. Similarly, Age, the other protagonist, initially receives less attention. For quite a while, we learn very little about him besides his dissatisfaction with the controlling nature of his school or government. The antagonist and supporting characters are portrayed as rather simplistic: essentially, unintelligent, devoted, and easily manipulated individuals. Despite inconsistent pacing and a slow start, once the movie finds its stride, it becomes quite exciting. The two protagonists do help each other grow, although their willingness to risk their lives for one another seems rushed. Ultimately, the storyline serves as a vehicle to bring the characters together, minimizing the obvious flaws in their personalities, and providing a glimpse of this unique world. While the ending’s revelation wasn't entirely unexpected, it was handled effectively. Overall, Patema Inverted is an enjoyable film, though not exceptional. The concept itself is brilliant, but other aspects of the movie prevent it from reaching its full potential. It’s definitely worth seeing (perhaps even multiple times), but I doubt I’ll feel compelled to revisit it annually.

Source on TMDB