It's a 2006 anime movie by Satoshi Kon based on Yasukata Tsutsui's 1993 novel under the same title.  In short it's a Sci-Fi animation about a device that can aces people's dreams getting stolen. Dr.Chiba and other scientist are on a quest to retrieve it and save the world from the disastrous consequences of DC Mini's prolonged use. I've heard it's similar to in "Inception" (Paprika actually inspired Inception) but that's only something I've heard because i haven't watched Inception myself. In long- because that's how I want to talk about it- it's one of the best movies I've seen in my life and I'm very happy I stumbled upon it. I am not movie critic (I'm not even a big movie watcher anymore but I looove talking) so this isn't gonna be professional but I hope someone reads this.  I WILL DO MY BEST TO KEEP IT NON-SPOILER FOR YOUR BENEFIT, DEAR READER:3

"Paprika" is surrealistic, crazy surrealistic. It crazy, vibrant, dynamic and a little chaotic. It may be easy to get lost in it but it's always just a little and it's a certain type of confusion that's cool and makes you more into it, more captivated. Does it get a little hard to follow the plot and characters? Yes, especially once the dream world and the real world starring blurring together in unpredictable ways (which was done intentionally, you're not supposed to be sure which is which during your first watch), but you find out very quickly that you don't need to follow the plot to be satisfied, you just want to see what's next and next and next. It's movie that keeps giving.

Visuals- The dream imagery and visuals in "Paprika" are simply next level. As someone who has very intense mind-blowing dreams almost every night since I can remember, this movie feels genius in how it portrays dreams and what's possible in the dreamy incoherent universe that exist within a sleeping mind. The dream world scenes- especially the parade- seem very random at first glance yet they are all intentional and well thought through. It's a mess but i goes together- like art supplies on a painter's messy desk. It makes sense for a dirty paintbrush to be there and it makes sense for a trumped-playing frog to walk in a parade in your dream world.

Music- Music is probably the thing I personally enjoyed the most about the movie. The soundtrack is really good- although a little hard to listen to while watching for the first time, it's simply quiet (i recommend having a listen on YouTube). Susumu Hirasawa created songs so good I can't find proper word to express that without the use of gestures and onomatopoeias, the opening music "The Girl in Byakkoya" and the "Parade" make me ascend. You just need to listen to them. They are made with really cool techniques too- the opening song was created with Lola. Lola was the first Volcaloid available to the public alongside her male alternative Leon. I can't stress it enough how good the songs are, you don't even need to keep reading this just LISTEN TO THE SONGS.(not my playlist, link for your convinience)

 https://www.youtube.com/embed/videoseries?si=PwMbK2QwldLQY4Ge&list=PLum90adVjloXiMH9fPeGwYzcMAQ4V1jYh

Message- For me "Paprika" is a movie about escapism in different forms and maintaining balance. Movies play a big part in it, hand in hand with dreams and both of those things are methods of escapism. Leaving your daily struggles and sorrows somewhere else for a "future you" to deal with while you find entertainment, pleasure or peace somewhere else. Its not a foreign concept us at all especially right now since social media and internet is also an escape from reality (which was even pointed out in the movie a decade ago:3) and i think the message of how important balancing out real life and dream/daydream/social media life is very well framed in the plot. It shows us how changes in the 50/50 balance by keeping your head in the clouds for too long can affect our life negatively but achieves to do so without making movies, dreams etc. seem like an inherently bad thing. Some spice (paprika maybe:p) is always good in our life and we can add it with the help of a cool dream of a great movie- such as "Paprika"

All in all, I recommend this movie really really hard to everyone who reads this. Remember to check the warnings on it beforehand tho as it does contain a few short but rather disturbing scenes that made me hella uncomfortable and I am experienced with disturbing movies(thanks to 2019 helly). REALLY check those warnings and don't ignore "includes se#ualised violence" because it really does include a scene like that...

(stamps by Qti on tumbrl)