Kapaemahu (2020)

Kapaemahu Review

Kapaemahu is a 2020 animated short film that is this very stylistic, but overly traditional film.

It is based on the long-hidden history of four healing stones on Waikiki Beach placed there as a tribute to four legendary mahu who first brought the healing arts to Hawaii. Apparently these creatures were neither male nor female, which is the main reason why this movie is lauded in a culture that is progressively concerned with transgender issues. Although I found this interesting, the movie did not deal with that all that much.

Instead, it was a standard period piece and mythical picture that tells this myth in an overly straightforward manner. The animation is the major strength here as it looks gorgeous and pleasantly colorful and warm. It is fittingly epic in tone and look while the score is also beautiful. The movie is intriguing in imagery and so mysterious, but I wish that it were longer and more impactful overall.

Kapaemahu has an amazing stylistic animation and it is interestingly mythical and intriguing, but far too straightforward in narrative.

My Rating – 4