Rating: 
Summary: Japanese Anime Opera Magna gets the format it deserves!
Review: Ten years ago, the Akira movie on VHS was some some obscure object of search, seen on 6th or 7th generation copies due to a lack of distribution. Once the internet gave us the chance to get imports we could not help to cry watching original videotapes. Now Pioneer's effort to restore this movie's original grandeur is simply breathtaking. Every single detail on the drawings, color subtleties and perfect digital video transfer, spectacular remastered, THX-Optimised audio. Every Otomo fan should have this one. Even the menu interface make this item a collectible. I hope to get the chance to buy the limited edition 2-disc set with the making-of. A must-have!
Rating: 
Summary: Dissapointment
Review: I love this Anime to death but when I bought the special edition the dialog was nothing like the one I had seen many years prior. It took away from the way I used to feel about the movie.
Rating:
Summary: The classic in a spiffy new version
Review: For the uninitiated to Anime, Akira is the prototype. Everything great about Anime is here -- Rich scenes, bold action, powerful emotions and a mind-bending plot.The Special Edition vocals are a departure from the old vocals, and, as other reviewers here note, are not always an improvement. The translation is also subtly different, with fewer memorable lines. However the story is easier to understand at the same time. Both versions have their high and low points... The DVD transfer, BTW, is flawless -- and the soundtrack on DVD (I had worn out my VHS type) is impressive with my 5-speaker Dolby Digital setup. The movie also has some of the downsides of much Anime -- some characters are cardboard cutouts, the animation has moments of lameness that appear dated followed by beautiful, flowing chase scenes. And the movie does not always make perfect sense, but then, if you are watching a movie about people who can channel pure energy, why get technical? Warning for all squeamish people: This movie is NOT for you. More people die in this movie than in Apocalypse Now, Platoon and Pearl Harbor combined. (Of course, 20 million people die in the first scene, but that's beside the point...many of the deaths are graphic and my wife had a hard time watching). The Special Edition includes lots of neat extras on the second disc -- trailers, making of, cool stuff about the weird instruments used to make the eerie music, and an interview with the creator, who doesn't seem to realize the enormity of his creation.
Rating:
Summary: Incredible from the first time
Review: I don't understand some of the Akira purists who hate this DVD release. It is *spectacular*. I've never seen it before so this "polluted" DVD release is my first. I was practically pushed into seeing it (I'm not really an anime fan except for Gundam Wing). Anyhow, man was I impressed. This thing was done before computers were used to make the process easier. With that in mind you can tell it's a labor of love. Like with most anime I've seen the plot can get confusing sometimes. Stick with it -- watch it again. It's really quite cerebral and fun, but not for kids. And don't listen to these nay-sayers. Enjoy it for what it IS, not what it WAS.
Rating: 
Summary: Translating shouldn't be this hard!!
Review: How is it possible to make two translations of the same darn script nearly unrecognizable? I don't know, but the people at Pioneer have managed to do that. Don't buy this DVD if you're hoping to get the same Akira that you've watched since 1988. It's not the same move AT ALL!!! The images are the same, the sound is WAY BETTER, but the voices, dialog and sentences are completely different with entirely new phrases, whole paragraphs missing, entire explanations dumbed down to Idiot American levels and, all in all, ruined. Yes, I'm outraged. Maybe, if enough people grumble about the massacre of a great classic Pioneer will re-re-release this DVD with the original dialogue, no matter if it's up to par with Dolby Digital standards or not. They've drained the blood from this great story. Buy this DVD and you buy a husk. A shell. A lump of skin with no guts. Welcome to junk.
Rating:
Summary: A Hallmark of Animation
Review: With the hundreds if not thousands of animated works I have had the privilege of viewing over the years, Akira still stands out to me as one of the most unique viewing experiences I have ever had. As I have had the opportunity to own this film in three other incarnations, (Two VHS editions, and one laserdisc editionÉ) this one is radically better than any before it. The difference in quality for picture and sound is immediately apparent on most any modest setup. The NEW English language track that has been dubbed for the film is a MORE ACCURATE translation than the previously recorded dub. Strangely enough, some fans miss the OLD English dub track that was used on PREVIOUS releases despite the fact that it made an already dense plot more difficult to follow. The point seems almost moot, as most people would be best served by the movieÕs original language track, Japanese, which can be found in this DVD. Though much citicism has been levied against the film for it having too condensed a plot from itÕs comic book counterpart, the film is (primarily) all about visual Ôoooohs and ahhhsÕ. (Watch the directorÕs interview, which can be found on the special edition, if you donÕt believe meÉ) In this respect, few could find complaint in being satisfied. The movie is a tense, packed, visual wow. It will rightly confuse most, ultimately entertain all.
Rating:
Summary: LESS GRUNT, MORE GRUDGE
Review: While it's true that the SPECIAL EDITION is the way to go with AKIRA, this solo disc is no less shabby or entertaining by any means. Excellent transfer of the film, mixed with a quality 5.1 surround sound - AKIRA is both a wonder for the eyes and ears, and even after all these years still holds up as top notch entertainment coupled with thought provoking ideas. While there is a new controversy brewing over the new ENGLISH DUB on this DVD release - having both the VHS edition and now the DVD to compare I can say that the DVD wins out. While there are some lines and voices that I liked better on the original VHS DUB than on the DVD edition (I think the voice actor who portrayed Kaneda in the VHS edition was far superior and more passionate than this new version), it is by no means a mere polish of the old - but instead a wholesale reinterpetation and updating of the action and events - also, it is much more clear as to what is going on and gives the audience more information (both upfront and background) and direction than the original VHS DUB edition. Overall, it is superior and more natural than the previous version. You can also select the original language track as well and play with subtitles or without, while also playing with the CAPSULE OPTION which opens up new windows on information about the production and events on the screen (it will even translate many of the signs displayed throughout the film clueing you in on what they mean). This solo edtion of AKIRA is excellent and a must for any long time collector of the genre or even for someone just getting into it. AKIRA is everything they say it is, plus more... and truth be told, less. For the first time buyer and viewer I also recommend picking up the newly reissued graphic novels of AKIRA to get the full picture - but even without them - AKIRA on DVD is still one of the best.
Rating: 
Summary: English mockery
Review: I have to agree with all the other reviewers out there that said the english dub is horribly ridiculous. I've seen the old version and it is absolutely incredible! Which is why I reserved my copy of the special edition as soon as I could. But as soon as i started to watch it, it became obvious the second rate job done on the dub. Honestly, I hate it and probably will never watch it again. However, returning it isn't an option because it would cost more to return it then the cost of the movie. So it will probably just sit and collect dust. On the upside though, the extras are fantastic, and the video clean up is also excellent. This would have gotten 0 stars if it weren't for the upside. All in all if you've seen the original, don't bother with this version.
Rating:
Summary: A good piece of SciFi.
Review: Good movie. We've watched it together with my 8.5-year old son twice already. This is, perhaps, the first Anime thing which is suitable for kids and still enjoyable for their geeky parents. We especially liked the scene where Tetsuo smeared two guards and the nurse all over the walls and ceiling. Exploding scrotum sack of Tetsuo in the finale was also very impressive. My wife went to watch CastAway in 15 minutest, of course. Image and sound quality is very good. Mix of japanese folk music and techno is really enjoyable. Explosions, gunfire and revving motors get you to the very entrails. Cannot complain about the dubbing because I've never seen first american edition. Pity I haven't seen akira when I was 15 myself...
Rating:
Summary: GET THIS NOW!
Review: This movie is the definitve of anime. It is an incredible movie and it is the best of anime. It is an incredible tale, and it can be compared to some of the greatest sci-fi movies out there. It has alot of thing lacked in a movie, character development and a plot. Its imagery is stunning, if not bloody. The characters are great from the out casted Tetsuo to the cocky Kaneda and the Militaristic Colonel. The story touches on a variety subjects from teenage isolation to corrupt government. I reccomend for any one into sci-fi and any fellow otaku who has not seen it get it. To boot the special features on the two disk dvd are awesome. If you donot have a dvd just get the vhs, It is great and the new dub blows away the old one. Recomended highly
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