Rating: 
Summary: A brilliant step forward for animation...
Review: I do have to say that when I saw the name "Katushiro Otomo" somewhere in the credits, I was excited to see this movie. I love his work both in comics and animation (especially my favorite anime of all-time, the renowned "Akira"). So when I borrowed a copy of this film from my best friend, I didn't know what to expect. Was I surprised. I have to say that never before have I seen an animated film that captures the reality of tormented human emotion better than this. "Perfect Blue" truly does count among one of the best films in the genre of psychological mysteries. There are those who will disagree with me, and that's fine since I can see the flaws in this film and why people would say it wasn't as good as I seem to be saying. It probably isn't, but I have high standards and tastes, and for them to be met is not easy (just ask my friends), so this movie is something to at least watch once if nothing else. Hitchcock would have been proud. There is a masterful handling of lead character Mima's breakdown, beginning from a simple voice in a reflection, to the paranoia that builds from the realization that somebody is following her. The immediate recognition of the stalker (who, I must admit, just HAD to look hideously deformed and given the most annoying voice...at least in the English dubbed version, which did an excellent job) was pretty welcome, and it gave the immediate impression that there was more than this one simple madman (who's name is even a bit hokey, but it still somehow works) behind it. There are also some elements to the story that were just brilliant. The constant back-and-forth reveries Mima had (waking up, and then waking up and supposed living the past few minutes over again...all in her mind...), coupled with the repetition of the line "Excuse me...who are you?," was a stroke of genius. And the reflection in the mirror in the end chase scene, showing her stalker's blood-crazed vision in the reflection but showing her paranoid dual personality in realtime...that was just an eerie and very effective method to build up the confusion. Even the music was eerie, ranging from a simple one-note piano line to a harmony of swirling chorus vocals (not unlike Ligeti's "Lux Aeterna" used in "2001: A Space Odyssey). On a technical level, the animation is very well done. The sets meticulously designed and the motion of the characters and their surroundings is very slick, almost to the point of realism. Flaws with this film? Well, there are a couple. One is the immediate impression that we are given to Mima's manager, Rumi. From the beginning, she is constantly pushing for Mima to keep singing instead of switch to acting. Such an obssession can lead the viewer to suspicion, which would eventually tend to manifest itself because let's face the fact that the viewer undoubtedly thinks more than the characters in the movie do. Another is that at one point, there is an indication that Mima herself might be her own stalker, and that her own demons are leading her to acts of murder. However, while the psychological effects on her are certainly cultivated, the overall possibility and suspicion that she is the killer is given little or no attention. It might have been considered cliche (and especially would not have been unexpected while watching the film), but there came a point where it just seemed necessary to at least explore the possibility. Yet, it seemed to die very quickly. Nevertheless, with flaws and all, this film is undoubtedly a triumph for animation around the world to grow beyond the confines of its drawn limitations and into a very serious genre. Alfred Hitchcock would be proud of this film I think, and the film never gets boring. Brilliant is the only word I can think of...just sheer brilliance."Excuse me...who are you?"
Rating:
Summary: The Price of Fame, May Not be Worth the Cost of Identity
Review: It's vocal songs will leave your feet taping for hours and it's story line will keep you thinking for days. Perfect Blue is truly an amazing piece of anime. Mima is a pop singer that decides to become an actress. Certain people out there think that she would better serve the public if she stayed a singer and is willing to kill her and the people around her if she doesn't. When her new associates start dying in startling, "eye-poping" murders, she can't help but wonder if SHE herself is the real killer. As the film nears the climax, we can't help but wonder if she really is. Perfect Blue does contain nudity and extremely graphic volience. If you are turned off by these or have young kids at home, think twice before buying this video; but if you do purchase it, you will not be disappointed.
Rating: 
Summary: Unperfect Blue
Review: You see, when I see Anime I usually am moved by what I see onscreen. The problem with this film is, I wasn't moved. I was excited after reading a few reviews saying how exciting and thrilling this movie was, and how the ending was in the realm of Fight Club and Sixth Sense. The movie's pace was pretty good, the characters were fine, but nothing special. I did get tense a few times, and alot of scenes just confused me, but hey I didn't mind cause thats the point of mysteries ya know? So I waited out the confusion for a "wam-bang than you mam" surprise ending. It wasn't so much as "WOW" or "WHOA" as much as it was "What the heck?" I guess its the same reaction some had to the Ending of Scream 2 and 3 (not to me, I loved the endings) It does suffer a few moments that aren't explained, like in Fight Club, but fight club was so awesome I could forgive those moments so easily. Perfect Blue didn't make the wait worthwhile, I did enjoy the way her life and the tv show seemed to intertwine, heck I got so lost I didn't know if she was awake, asleep, doing the show, or was it all real. I agree with another reviewer, Rent it First. I was almost gonna purchase but now I know its not worth multiple Viewings. Instead I suggest Ghost in the Shell , Tenchi Muyo in love, or the Spawn animated series.
Rating:
Summary: Almost Perfect...
Review: I bought this video in November of last year and I must say that I liked it a lot... The movie is an adult Psycho-thriller that involves a twisted plot about illusion and deception... The animation of the film is absolutely first class, with great scenery that appears real... What I did enjoy about it was the editing! Watching this film filled me with envy at the editing. A simple thing like opening a door would cut to another scene instantly, and even better is that a jerk of the head on stage as part of a routine suddenly takes you somewhere else with idea that all this was one fluid motion. What the film really needed and by heaven did it get it! The film wasn't really a scary film... More freaky! it just kind of confuses and forces you to try and internalise it all... With a great plot in place it is let down a little by not totally explaining everything... Now while many of you think that is great and leaves you to think of your own ideal end and cause... i think it really needed tying up as some of the things not only catch you off guard, but you have no real idea of why they are there! However this is only a minor thing and will not detract from the viewing at all... What is a real shame about this film is that it never got a cinema release... Boy would it have looked great then, but that aside it is a cracking film with many strikepoints and a nice fluidity to it, easily worth watching....
Rating: 
Summary: Interesting anime
Review: I've seen a handful of Japanese anime and this is the first one I've seen that is a suspense thriller. It's not like anything I've seen before, and it's good in it's own right. The animation is not the best I've seen, but the story is interesting. It's based on a pop star turned actress named Mima. She was a singer in a group called Cham that had fans, but was weak in their popularity according to the music charts. When she decided to be an actress, this was established early in the movie, she begins seeing images of herself as a pop star which in turn taunts her and in a way tries to force her back into her singing career with Cham. She wasn't put in roles that makes her more established as being a serious actress, so she decides, out of desperation, to be noticed, to have nude pictures taken of her published in a porn magazine and before that, she agrees to do a scene with her being raped in a strip club. She is also stalked by a die hard fanatic of her pop idol image who follows her around and writes about her in his web site. She gets paranoid and scared when she discovers his web site and finally starts to notice him in the crowd. I won't reveal the conclusion in case you, the reader, wants to check this movie out, but it has a pretty surprising ending of who the real threat to Mima really is. I do want to warn that this film is sexually and violently graphic, so children should not be watching this.
Rating:
Summary: "Excuse me, who are you?"
Review: The first time I saw this movie and heard those five little words, I got an eerie chill down my spine. Having bought this movie only Sunday, June 18th, I was hooked from the first scene to the very end. The cliff-hanging suspense, snappy dialouge, and beutiful art kept me glued to the screen without moving once through the entire movie. I don't recomend this movie for anyone younger than me, 15, because of the nude scenes, very detailed nude scenes. If you're over 15 then you should really try this movie!
Rating:
Summary: A Brilliant and Disturbing Film
Review: Meer words can not even being to describe the brilliance of this film. Mima is a pop star who has decided to quite her band to persue a career in acting. Yet some people don't want her to quite and will go to deadly ways to see that see understands this. The movie Mima is staring in is a psychological thriller where she plays a woman whom was raped and forms a split personality that is homicidal. Yet as production begins Mima learns of a web site that records her every thought and movement. As Mima changes her image more and more peole start to die in a violent manner. Soon Mima finds herself talking to imaginary version of herself that mocks her for having changed her career. As Mima begins questioning her own sanity the film enters the climatic final ten minutes. Granted this film is not for everyone, especially children under the age of 17. For those of you whom are looking for a pyschological thriller in the footsteps of "Silence of the Lambs" or "Fight Club" this film will shock and dazzle you. I don't care who you are the last ten minutes of this film will scare you to death.
Rating: 
Summary: Well worth watching, but not amazing.
Review: Perfect Blue is worth watching, but it doesn't have many of the features that anime fans have come to expect, like magic, advanced technology, sex, monsters or fight scenes - and as a result, those fans might be disappointed. People keep calling it a psychological thriller. It's psychological, and it has some neat "the main character is losing her mind" things in it, but it is a tad less than thrilling, I'm afraid. Really, it is a decent movie, but aside from being animated, it doesn't have much else to do with anime. My advice - check it out, but don't expect a Ghost in the Shell, Vampire Hunter D or Ninja Scroll, because it ain't like that.
Rating:
Summary: What?
Review: This is a psychological thriller title that starts out strong, but unfortunately turns sour during the last 30 minutes. Movies with major plot twists can be great(sixth sense), but in this case, the dubbing job is so poorly done, it causes nothing but confusion. The english words they dubbed in must be completely wrong, because it started to make no sense whatsoever. It's fairly entertaining, but the end will leave you wondering "what's going on?". Watch only if you're very bored, or a major anime fan.
Rating:
Summary: Dark, Surreal, Psychological Thriller.....
Review: 'Perfect Blue' is the anime equivalent of a Dario Argento film. Dark, violent, and sometimes surreal, the film comments on the conditon of celebrity and its symbiosis with fan obsession. Mature and intelligent anime for the distinguished viewer!
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