This CLAMP double feature offers a mixture of styles and stories; if one doesn't appeal, the other one just might.  The two movies, loosely tied by the presence of the deal-making witch, Yuko, couldn't be any more different.  The Tsubasa movie is all fantasy and heroism, while xxxHOLiC spins a darker, surrealistic tale.  Marked by different styles, settings, and overall atmosphere, if you don't dig one film, try out the other one.  You might be surprised.  I was.

During their search for Sakura's lost memories, Syaoran, Fai, Kurogane, and Sakura find themselves sent to a beautiful world oppressed by a cruel king in Princess of the Birdcage Kingdom.  Each person in this world is paired with a bird, that stays with the person for life.  The king, however, has been stealing the birds for his own evil purposes. 

A fall through the sky and and into the giant bird cage containing this world separates Sakura and Syaoran from Fai and Kurogane.  Sakura and Syaoran stumble across a small group of people who have had their birds taken away by the king.  The group is led by Princess Tomoyo, the king's niece, who has also lost her bird, and with it, her voice.  She fled from her uncle, who plans to use her power to bring an eternal darkness to the land and transform himself into an all-powerful ruler.  Sakura and Syaoran offer to help Princess Tomoyo, both to free her land from her uncle's tyranny, and to retrieve the feather containing one of Sakura's memories. 

At just over a half hour, the story moves along at a speedy clip and few moments are spared for filler.  This is both a good thing and a bad thing.  The pacing ensures plenty of action, and the plot moves along quickly, but character development is sacrificed in the process, as well as giving the sense that the film is a little rushed.  Now, since this is a film based on an anime series, character development is probably assumed.  Folks familiar with the anime are most likely already acquainted with the main characters, and know their personalities.  Unfortunately, if you're like me, and came into the story with little prior knowledge, the characters might seem a bit cookie-cutter-ish.  I found myself wanting to know more about them, but the short film length didn't allow for it.  The short length also makes the film seem a bit rushed, and there are several instances where there is no segue between two scenes.  The climax wasn't quite as climatic as one would hope without the extra build-up.  This is a niche-specific film, and people who know the series will probably feel that it's perfectly acceptable, and more of an extended episode than anything else. 

The artwork, however, is very pretty.  The colors are lovely, and I liked the graceful character designs.  The soft colors and detailed, fairy tale backgrounds add nicely to the fanciful nature of the story.

A Midsummer Night's Dream opens with the beginning of summer vacation.  Kimihiro Watanuki isn't particularly thrilled with this development, since he'll be spending the duration working for Yuko at her shop, as a part of their agreement.  Yuko is capable of granting wishes, for a price, of course.  In exchange for his time, Yuko helps Watanuki repel the dark spirits he seems to attract. 

Yuko receives an invitation to attend a gathering of collectors culminating in an auction at a mysterious mansion.  When the guests begin to disappear one by one, Yuko and Watanuki must find their elusive host before Yuko becomes a part of a collection herself.

The xxxHOLiC movie is aptly named, with its surreal, Alice In Wonderland feel.  The mansion is appropriately creepy, with magical messages appearing on walls, countless rooms, and endless hallways.  One of my favorite parts is Watanuki's ridiculously long search for the restroom.  The scene is well done, revealing the strangeness of their surroundings as well as being amusing. 

Nicely compact with a distinct beginning, middle, and end, the movie flows along well with interesting characters.  Even though the movie is based on an anime series, there have been no assumptions on the audience's familiarity.  I didn't enjoy the film any less for my lack of knowledge.

I loved the artwork in this.  In keeping with the surreal feeling, the characters are thin and stretched so that they're all arms and legs.  Yuko is particularly striking with her long dress and hair, entwined with the smoke of her pipe.  The backgrounds are wonderfully detailed, especially in the scenes featuring collections.  The artwork contributes well to the overall atmosphere.

At turns creepy, funny, and a little dark, the xxxHOLiC movie is a lot of fun.  Of the two, I liked this one the best.  I just didn't connect with the Tsubasa movie, with its fairy tale world of kings, heroes, and princesses.  These two films should appeal to a variety of tastes.  Personally, I've never been fond of the type of fantasy found in Tsubasa, and lean more toward the quirkiness of xxxHOLiC.  They really are like two sides of coin, and if one doesn't appeal, the other might be just the thing.

Details: Runtime for Tsubasa is 35 minutes and xxxHOLiC is 60 minutes.  Extras for the Tsubasa movie include coverage of premiere events, recording session montage, Japanese staff and cast commentary, production artwork, background slides, the origin of the birdcage kingdom, and some trailers.  Extras for the xxxHOLiC movie include coverage of opening day festivities, recording session montage, Japanese staff and cast commentary, character design slides, background plates, and original trailers.