Rating: 
Summary: Akira (4.1 stars)
Review: "Akira" is considered by most to be the masterpiece of Anime films. Made in 1988 it is a landmark film, both by the many great animated sequences and the detailed story. The film is rather graphic, but not many Anime films aren't. While the film is groundbreaking for both animation and film, it is marred by over length. The animation to me, seems a little more "cartoonish," than films such as "Perfect Blue" or "Ghost in the Shell." In a way it really doesn't hurt it, since the film acts as a very eccentric, exaggerated science fiction film. Also the film was made in 1988, the 80s where a much different time than the 90s. Since then the animation has matured, and things are looking more realistic. But without classic 80s Anime films such as "Akira," "Vampire Hunter D" and "Wicked City," the Anime industry may be lost.
Rating:
Summary: The Reason for that Elusive "5th Star"....
Review: I was extremely excited about the release of the "special edition" of Otomo Katsuhiro-san's "AKIRA"! I was also looking quite forward to the "new English dubbing" -- but therein lies the problem, and the reason why I (and many others) feel that it falls short of the coveted "Five Stars" it so legitimately deserves. Although I am appreciative of the fact that the new overdubbing is more faithful to the original Japanese dialogue, many of us (myself included) were introduced to this spectacular film years ago with its American release in theatres, and most if not all of us have some very cherished memories of the film's original English dubbing. One of the things we had all looked forward to and hoped for with the release of "Akira" in DVD format was not only the "new" English dialogue, but also the *inclusion* of the "original" English dialogue so many of us are familiar with! Sadly, this was not to be. I somehow suspect that the decision to do this was made intentionally-- as sort of a DVD version of the "Old Coke/New Coke" scam --in an attempt to rake in a few extra bucks from all of us old fogey stogies with the fond memories. If that is indeed the case, then I am ashamed to admit that I will be one of those who will be first in line plunk down my hard earned bucks to relive the memory. The "original" English dub, though less literal and somewhat more paraphrasical in its delivery, actually "connected" better with an English-language audience more so than the "new" version, while still remaining faithful to the overall sense of the original Japanese dialogue. One of the things I DO like about the new dubbed version, which some others will likely disagree with me on, has to do with the re-assignment of voices to the "Numbers" (Takashi, Kiyoko, and Masaru): The little child voices, statures and mannerisms are nicely contrasted against the aged hair, facial features and frailties they possess. Final recommendation for the "special edition"?: Buy it, Rent it, or Bum it off of a friend, but by all means SEE it! -- And make every effort to do likewise whenever Pioneer decides to get around to producing the new "enhanced visual" version with the old "original English" dialogue. P.S. -- Be sure to check out the special feature regarding the "Music of Akira"; It is a very informative and a very enjoyable piece.
Rating: 
Summary: A Milestone for all Anime films.
Review: This 1988 Science-Fiction Thriller from Japan became the pinnacle for anime and started to introduce America to Japanese Animation. This movie is set in the future of Tokyo, where a gang of Bikers led by Keneda are in a biker War but one of the good Bikers named Tetsuo gets hurt in an accident and is taken to a governmental Hospital where he becomes the subject for an experiment involving Paranomal Powers including ESP. It's a entertaining, Powerful, Violent and Dazzling Animated Extravaganza that will knock your socks off of your feet and into another dimension of animation. other similar movies i would recommend: Ghost in the Shell, Scanners, Roland Emmerich's Making Contact, Blade Runner,
Total Recall, Starship Troopers, X-Men, Day of the Dead, C.H.U.D,
Rats, The Matrix, Carrie, and Saving Private Ryan.
Rating:
Summary: Destined for Fame
Review: In every genre there is a defining movie. A movie that every person interested i nhat type of film has seen, whether they love it or hate it. Akira is one such film. Probobly not good for beginning anime fans, in other words, once you are aware of more anime than sailor moon, pokemon and dragn ballz go out and rent this [one]. I don't think this movie is as awesome as it gets credit for, but it is certainly cool.... The animation is very bright and clean. Very pretty, the motorcycle chase scenes are fantastic. The sound is great as well, and i love the soundtrack to this movie. The extras are pretty interesting and you get to see the process of restoring ht efilm and bringing it back to life from the faded negatives. The film contains some pretty graphic violence and light nudity. But overall the concept is very cool and the movie is very well made. It starts a little slow if all your watching it for is huge monster things, but it is well worth a rent. Word of warning the ending is a mind bender type of thing. Its kind of a "you interpret what it means thing" so if you dont like those then BEWARE. I'm not too experienced in anime so i cant think of anything akira is similar to, sorry. Go out and rent it, or read the comics, before you buy this. If your a big anime fan, buy it straight up. whether you love it or hate it Akira is more than a movie, its an anime institution
Rating:
Summary: Best of the Best
Review: I saw this anime years ago and ran out and bought the tape, which was all that was available at that time. DVD gives this a grand new appearance, clean and clear and viewed as it should be. The sound is excellent, the colors crisp and clean and overall even the packaging makes this an excellent choice as a first addition to your DVD anime library. For those of you who are not familiar with the Akira, this has to be one of the best written, best animated Japanese Anime ever produced. Want something that is a classic and well produced? Start here, and then work your way into the Anime world.
Rating:
Summary: Good, but the origonal was better
Review: I love this movie, but the diggitally remasterd version wasn't as good. The picture and sound quallity was perfect, just the vocies were chnaged. I don't like the way the voice of a digimon Character being the vocice on insane Tetsuo. It doesn't work for me. but still it;s a must see
Rating:
Summary: Sit down, Eisner..THIS is animation
Review: Akira is THE anime film. There is no question. Each frame was hand drawn...no computer cheating here...just the finest example of the mastery and artwork of japanese animators. This DVD makes some good leaps forward for the film; for one, the use of real child actors to voice the telekinetic children...very effective and creepy. The new english translation is not as stuttery...the language is more realistic and believeable. Having a good workling knowledge of Japanese Idiom, I can say that the new translation is superb. If you even THINK you like anime, get this disc !!!!!
Rating: 
Summary: Akira: The Not-So-Special Edition
Review: At first, I was anxious to see all the new features and deleted scenes from one of my favorite anime flicks, and I was, until I actually watched the movie. While the graphics have improved greatly over the VHS, the new dubbing of vocals and sound effects are just inexcusable. It just doesn't have the same gritty feel of the original traslation. It seems like the traslators are more interested in fitting new words to the mouths of the characters than they are in staying true to the mood of the original. Furthermore, most of the voices sound like they were done by boys who are just reaching puberty....
Rating:
Summary: Top 5 anime ever created!
Review: For many, like myself, Akira was the film that got them fascinated and often infatuated with Japanese animation. Katsuhiro Otomo created a masterpiece with this film and the much longer manga that accompanied it. The action in this story does not let up. The motorcyle scenes are just so well conceived -- they're breathtaking. You also begin to relate to the characters of Kanaeda (the cool popular leader type) and Tetsuro (the quieter runt member of the teenage gang). The deeper meanings of human evolution and the huge metaphor for Japan's resurrection after WWII are not to be missed. But there are some small side-plots going on in this film. You can watch it numerous times, and get a little more from it. A must buy for anyone who considers themselves an anime fan!
Rating:
Summary: Still the greatest anime of all time
Review: Akira is the the most intense, gorry, and by far the most insane anime of all thime. There has never been and probably never will be anything like it ever again. Why is it so outstanding? Because it has everything an anime fan could ever want in an anime, except porn but that really doesn't take anything away from Akira. I guess some people actually care if an anime film has a good script or character developement and all that, but personally if I want that stuff then I watch something besides cartoons. What I want to see in an anime is blood, gore, intense action, and really insane animatio. Like tha scenes in Akira when Tetsuo seems to be on a whole lot of cid and watches all his guts fall out. What else could you ask for?
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