I never write this reviews but it is necessary in this case. I heard so many mixed reviews only to find out that most people who hate this film are actually indeed mentally challenged. As someone who has watched almost all studio ghibli films repeatedly, this film is the perfect final sendoff film for this absolute genius. The most baffling part about this film is that I didn't feel confused like I thought I would be, after seeing all the reviews.
visuals: 10/10, there's nothing really to say here
story: 9/10 The pacing of everything is novel, has lots of metaphores, easter eggs, and overall very fun concepts to watch.
If you're looking for a meaning, there is one, but it's not made for people who watch avengers' endgame.
It's about life, and the experiences that come with it, and how everything comes to an end. You will feel pain but you can also do great things in the time that you're here. It will all come breaking down but it's still worth it for it's own sake.
here are some of the metaphores that were my favourite (this is at least how I interpret it)
Mahito smashing the rock against his head: pleading for attention, wanting the love of others (accurately described as malice)
The tower: Miyazaki's mind
The old man's world: Miyazaki's life's work
The hallway with the doors: seperate projects of his
The oddness in appearance of the grannies: I'm not sure about this one but I see it as miyazaki saying that through the lens of his younger self (we can assume this as Mahito), he found old age and people that are old as strange and distant from him, like he would never become that
the last one that I can think of right now is when Mahito and young Kiriko went sailing, and Kiriko says that there's a big wave, but after that the tide will be calm. This is a metaphor for starting new things, when you start, it will be hard, but once you get going it becomes easy.
again, no reason to hate a film because you can't think.