Akira

Rating:
Summary: A disgrace to the comic series.
Review: When I read the epic masterpiece Akira, I was impressed by the intricacy of the storyline and the way the story was very well represented by the drawings. I couldn't help but feel disappointed after watching the movie. Here are my reasons:

1. Many influential characters were ommitted, warped, or over-emphasized. Lady Miyako was transformed into some sort of babbling fiend with a manly voice. Akira was not nearly as important a character and he was"dead." Kaori's entrance to the story line was too soon and her role changed, Chiyoko disappeared. . . I could go on and on.

2. The story line made little sense, especially to those who have never read the comic series. It was so fast paced! There was little or no character development. There were very few explanations for anything. Sometimes there were weird, jabbering speeches that were frighteningly confusing(e.g. Kei's speech in the jail cell.) The ending was . . odd.

3. Kaneda is turned into an annoying moron.

4. Lady Miyako's gifted servant girls never appear, and Takashi never dies. Akira never becomes a demi-god. There is never a clash between those loyal to Lady Miyako and the Great Tokyo Empire.

5. Where was the Birdman!!!?

Rating:
Summary: Perfectly Orchestrated Classic
Review: At first when I saw this movie, I wasn't a huge Anime fan. I saw the old version with the old voices before it was digitally remastered. I was blown away!!! The movie was just awesome. The voice overs were perfectly matched to the adjacent character, everything was just perfect in the movie. It took me about 2 to 3 times watching it to totally get full grasp of the plot line, but when I did, I was blown away yet again.

It came out on DVD and I was so happy that it was digitaized and the visuals got even better. The voices were a little different but still excellent. I watch the DVD of Akira all the time and it one of my favorie movie's over all time. Definately in my top 3. So to anyone who thinks this movie sucks, give it another try because I have seen Ninja Scroll, Vampire Hunter D, and Ghost in the Shell and only one of them have even come close to Akira, and that is Ghost in the Shell, but, since I am not writiing a review on that movie, let me just say once again, Akira is the King of all Anime movies, and this may be a pipe dream, but maybe a sequel just as good will come out soon.

Rating:
Summary: My Favorite Movie Ever
Review: If you like any anime or anything about the future this is a definite movie for you. There are 3 (in my opinion) main characters. They are Kaneda Tetsuo and Kae. The beginning is kind of slow in a way and hard to figure out. But as you go along it gets more action packed and then you figure out whats going on. Near the beginning Tetsou becomes a test lab expirement.(I couldn't stop myself from telling you) It would be a great buy for anyone 12 and above i think.

Rating:
Summary: Good, But Confusing
Review: I had just become a fan of anime and liked a couple of anime shows. After doing a bit of research on anime it seemed everyone loved "Akira". I found the movie confusing at some parts and they should have explained things better. The ending really confused me. I also think there could have been character development and it could provided more information about the characters. However the animation was great and so was the music and some parts of the story rocked.

Rating:
Summary: Most boring anime in the world
Review: This anime is worshipped as a groundstone in Japanese animation and even Ebert gave it two thumbs up. Being a longtime anime fan and collector, I can truthfully say that I hated this anime. It was the weirdist thing I ever saw and the end was the worst.

*EDIT 1: I wrote this review for a bad reason...well, there's no other way to put it, I lied. I apologize for this review, because since then, I've rewatched and reviewed Akira and see that it was a lot better than I originally found it.

Rating:
Summary: I liked it a lot, but I did not love it.
Review: Well, this one was well thought out and planned. And don't get me wrong, I am very pleased with the movie and am proud to have purchased it. It's just the reason I give this movie 3 stars is because there were many unanswered question, and some things that could've been left out.

My question is: Where on earth did all those kids go? I know some hard core annime fans have their deadset opinions however I still don't quite get the idea. All I know is that they went away and disapeared. Is that all? You know, that sets it up perfectly for a sequel, if there is any Tokoyo left to destroy that is, they certainly banged it up pretty good.

I'm also still confused on who started the nuclear war. Most people point their fingers towards Akira however I really wonder about that.

And the stuff that could be left out is simple. The language could've been better. I'm not a goody two shoes however I expect a little bit of cleanliness in movies. And the last thing was the scene where the bikers tore that girl's shirt off. Not needed at all. I'm glad they took that out in the director's cut. Sexuality is never needed in a movie unless the circumstances have to permit it.

Overall, a great movie worth purchasing if you love annime.

Rating:
Summary: A boring movie
Review: After starting to view anime's (mainly manga) over the years i came across what is hailed to be the most classic anime of all, Akira. I must be the only one in the world that was bored as hell during this movie. The plot was excellent though i didn't really like the characters at all. The bull-headed Tetsuo is a stupid character with no real depth apart from his hatred. The action(yeah right) scenes were boring and dull to the point where i was falling asleep. Overall i must say that there are much better movies out there (ie. Ninja Scrolls which kicks [butt],Ghost in the shell, Samurai X) that people should own before buying the dullest movie EVER

Rating:
Summary: THE SPECIAL EDITION AKIRA DVD
Review: THE REASON I GAVE THIS DVD 2 STARS WAS BECAUSE OF THE BOUNUS MATERIAL ON THE SECOND DISC THAT COMES WITH IT. DONT GET ME WRONG I'M A BIG AKIRA FAN BUT THE NEW ENGLISH VOICE OVERS TOTALLY RUINED THE MOVIE. THE ACTING WAS HORRIBLE AND THE NEW VOICES DO NOT MATCH THE CHARACTERS AT ALL. MY SUGGESTION TO YOU IS BUY THE FIRST DVD THAT CAME OUT...I WISH I HAD.

Rating:
Summary: The new dub
Review: This is a great movie, one that really makes you think. If you really pay attention to details, something clicks in your mind at the end of the movie that says, "AHA! I get it now!" and then moments later, "Or do I?" It is has a good plot with strong philosophical overtones that really come through if you pay attention to the details. If you like action, this is a safe bet. If you like Sci-Fi, this is a safe bet. However the movie's strength comes in its well developed, intriguing plot and in its ability to really make you think.

Although I don't own the DVD myself, I have seen the new dub and it is much better than the old one, it clears up so many questions I had about the plot, and those lines that just sounded really awkward aren't there (Anyone remember Tetsuo saying something along the lines of, "want to turn me into a humanoid like the others"? and Tetsuo IS human, by the way). And overall the new dub made sense, so it didn't just leave me dumbfounded at the end like the older dub did. I haven't watched any subtitled versions, though.

Rating:
Summary: Big Mistake
Review: If you watched the original chances are you will hate this remake. The change in dialogue has ruined the whole flow of the movie by adding exposition and losing the feel for the original, not to mention the monotone reading by the voice over actors.

I have seen both the subtitled and original dubbed versions and found that the "special Edition" falls short of the original. You will find yourself not laughing at scenes you remember laughing at and confused during key dramatic moments. This is a great example of "if it an't broke, don't fix it".

I can't recomend this to anyone. If you can get the original dubbed or subtitled on tape go for it. You will even notice a superior performance by the voice over actors.

If they release the original dubbed on DVD I will be the first