Summer Wars

SUMMER WARS (2009) - Mar. 4, 2011
Though not quite on the same level as Mamoru Hosoda's previous film, the Girl Who Leapt through Time, this was still a well made film about a kid who gets invited to a friend's country home for the weekend, not knowing that she wants him to pretend to be her boyfriend.  Meanwhile, a sinister virus is wreaking havoc in an internet-like virtual world, eventually taking control of the miltary in an attempt to cause as much chaos as possible.  It's kind of an odd mix of genres -- family drama / romance mixed with a high-concept action premise, but it essentially works.  The film is a bit slow, and drags in parts, but it's definitely well made and unique.  ***