I can't believe it get such a high score
For the fans of the original novel, this animation kills the sincerity, fun and philosophy of the original work. It turns a touching, thoughtful story into a cheap industrialized fast-food animation, just what itself is trying to mock. I know I cannot expect an exact copy of the novel, and the story of the little girl was what attracted me into the cinema. Yet it was so poorly plotted that I was bored from the middle and totally shocked and disgusted by the final quarter of it.
The twist of the plot is so superficial, the characters setup so stereotypical and, worst of all, the "transformed" prince so deliberately oily, it ruins the little pleasure I got from the nice scenery design of the original story. The added sequel might want to show the irony of the strictly molded modern life and some sense of salvation, but its dry and senseless depiction without real wisdom is the big irony itself.
I was appalled by its IMDB ratings, and had to sign up to write this comment. Totally agree with some others that it's better to read the novel itself!