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|
|
a
| Characters: |
B+ |
| Story: |
A- |
| Animation: |
A- |
| Dub / Sub: |
A
/ I |
| Music: |
A- |
| Reviewer's Tilt: |
B+ |
| Penalty: |
C+ |
| Total: |
A- |
|
a |
|
|
|
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|
|
| Version(s) Seen: English
Dubbed (Pioneer) |
| Category / Genre: Post-Apocalypse,
Conspiracy, PSI, Gangs |
| Year: 1988 (Japan) / 1991 (US-Streamline/Orion)
/ 2001 (US-Pioneer) |
| Based on the Manga By: Katsuhiro Otomo (Roujin
Z) |
| Age Suitability: 17+ (Profanity, Heavy Violence,
Brief Nudity, Gore) |
| Date Reviewed: Wednesday, August 20, 2003 |
Overview: (Pioneer
Animation website)
Neo-Tokyo
has risen from the ashes of World War III to become a dark and dangerous
megalopolis infested with gangs and terrorists. The government seethes
with corruption and only maintains a token control over the powerful military
that prevents total chaos and hides the secrets of the past.
Childhood friends Tetsuo and Kaneda plunge into Neo-Tokyo’s darkest secret
when their motorcycle gang encounters a military operation to retrieve
an escaped experimental subject. Tetsuo, captured by the military, is subjected
to experiments that make him a powerful psychic, but, unfortunately for
Neo-Tokyo, Tetsuo’s powers rage out of control and he lashes out at the
world that has oppressed him!
Nothing can stop the destructive forces that Tetsuo wields except possibly
the last boy to destroy Tokyo. |
Review:
Confusing....but pretty good.
I've hear people rant about how good it is for years, so I rented a copy.
Overall, I was very pleased. However, I was a bit lost on the story.
I hear the manga it is based on is very long, which really explains the
common confusion among nearly everyone who has seen it. Given the
sizable task I think it does a fairly good job. Also the animation
is nothing short of spectacular, even if you don't put into the fact that
it was made in 1988.
While (thankfully) not as confusing as the ending of Evangelion, it is
a bid strange, but it explains a few things that I was confused about at
the beginning. The Neo-Tokyo of this movie is lot like a Communist
China, the whole movie is like a Mad Max by way of Bubblegum Crisis. From
what I hear in all versions both english and japanese Akira is pronounced
Akida which really confused me, because I know the Japanese luggage had
the "r" sound (not like not having a "l" sound).
Later projections of Tetsuo's power were just plain strange and very gross.
However it is a very small part of this over two hour movie, which may
require multiple viewing to understand. Overall I'd say a MUST rent,
maybe
buy. For me it is not high on my list of animes to buy. Maybe
I was expecting more because of all the good things I hear. |
a
aa |
|
