I think that scene made this movie a standout for me. That scene was so incredibly well composed and the child actress had an amazing performance. I have to admit, I had to try really hard to hold back the tears. I failed.

The whole storyline of Mako is what enamored me to this movie. Rinko Kikuchi played the character exceptionally well.

While I understand that the movie is a simple popcorn flick without broad underlying subtext or philosophical ideas (a la Watchmen), it's the characterizations of the characters that make the movie so endearing.

Ofcourse, the exceptions are the two scientist characters. I have no idea wtf happened there... This movie would have been so much better if those two were written out and replaced by more realistic characters.