as very Japanese. This was quite a surprise to me after seeing the previews that painted it as some kind of animated version of 'Aliens'. Unfortunately, at the time I saw it, the audience consisted mostly of teenage boys who seemed a bit put off by the plot. I've been recommending this film to folks who got the wrong idea from the preview.
In a sense, it's kind of a 'chick flick'. At least, my wife liked it.
I've also found that many critics have trouble following the plots of sf/fantasy movies and on that basis give them lower marks. (for example, Siskel had this problem but Ebert didn't.)