Rating: 
Summary: Roujin Z, big robots and old men make strange bed fellows
Review: It's an unspoken rule in film production that any movie with an all star cast or crew is going to be terrible, take the recent movie "A.I." for example. Roujin Z manages to break the mold. The film was designed by Katsuhiro Otomo, (famous for his previous work AKIRA)directed by Hiroyuki Kitakubo (worked on Patlabor-The Movie with Mamoru Oshii) and animated by Fumio Iiada (Wings of Honneamise). The visual style is an interresting blend between Iiada's and Otomo's artwork, the animation is very high quality (though somewhat outdated), and the character designs and motion capturing are some of the best I've ever seen. The story takes place in Japan, where the government is having difficulting dealing with it's aging population. The solution? The new Z-001, a robotic bed to cover a patients every need. Elderly invalid Takazawa is volunteered by his family to test the new bed, and is thus stripped from his volunteer nurse, Haruko. When Takazawa's bed sends out a distress signal Haruko and her friends race to the rescue, but the bed has become more than just a simple care unit. Now the bed has become an unstoppable robot, imbued with the personality of Takazawa's deceased wife and hell bent on visiting the beach! It should be noted that this film was published in the US by USMANGA Corps, the sorriest bunch of adled sods that have ever disgraced the animation industry (disney aside). The dubbing is, of course, horrible beyond belief, so stick to the subtitles.
Rating:
Summary: Roujin Z, big robots and old men make strange bed fellows
Review: It's an unspoken rule in film production that any movie with an all star cast or crew is going to be terrible, take the recent movie "A.I." for example. Roujin Z manages to break the mold. The film was designed by Katsuhiro Otomo, (famous for his previous work AKIRA)directed by Hiroyuki Kitakubo (worked on Patlabor-The Movie with Mamoru Oshii) and animated by Fumio Iiada (Wings of Honneamise). The visual style is an interresting blend between Iiada's and Otomo's artwork, the animation is very high quality (though somewhat outdated), and the character designs and motion capturing are some of the best I've ever seen. The story takes place in Japan, where the government is having difficulting dealing with it's aging population. The solution? The new Z-001, a robotic bed to cover a patients every need. Elderly invalid Takazawa is volunteered by his family to test the new bed, and is thus stripped from his volunteer nurse, Haruko. When Takazawa's bed sends out a distress signal Haruko and her friends race to the rescue, but the bed has become more than just a simple care unit. Now the bed has become an unstoppable robot, imbued with the personality of Takazawa's deceased wife and hell bent on visiting the beach! It should be noted that this film was published in the US by USMANGA Corps, the sorriest bunch of adled sods that have ever disgraced the animation industry (disney aside). The dubbing is, of course, horrible beyond belief, so stick to the subtitles.
Rating: 
Summary: Too sterile
Review: Movies in general and anime in particular are a medium of art, and can be used to intrigue, provoke, and express criticism (in the case of this movie, social criticism), which is all welcome; but some movies get so caught up with the point they're trying to make that they forget they are not just some manifesto but also a piece of entertainment, and in this respect Roujin Z is too unfocused. Is it an action movie? No, since there's in fact only one action scene at the end. Is it a comedy? It could have been, and it had great potential, especially with some of the older characters, but it just doesn't make an effort to be a comedy. Is it a drama? Hardly - how can it be with one of its lead characters (the old man) saying maybe three or four sentences during the movie? In short, the movie is so involved with the message it is trying to get across that it forgets it also has to entertain, and a movie which does not entertain is, in my eyes, as good as a piece of art which does not provoke some sense ot beauty, or a book which you have to struggle to get through.
On the technical side, animation quality isn't so high at the beginning of the movie, but towards the end and the action that accompanies it, it makes a quantum leap and reaches very high standards (*anime* standards, that is), say, those of Wings of Honneamise or some Miyazaki movie. As always I salute the animators for breathing such life into the characters, but this does not redeem the movie. In short, rent before you buy.
Rating:
Summary: A very, very funny anime...one heck of a ride!
Review: Roujin Z is the story of Haruko, a young nurse caring for Takazawa, an invalid. A corporation, wishing to rid the world of the care the elderly, builds the Z-001, a hospital bed capable of tending to Takazawa's every need. Haruko decides it's her responsiblity to save him, and things go nuts when the Z-001 begins believing it is his dearly departed wife, which is what Takazawa really needs. This film is written and designed by Katsuhiro Otomo (Akira) so you know it's gotta be cool. Even if you're not a big fan of anime, or cartoons in general, you owe it to yourself to check it out...it's a jewel.
Rating:
Summary: an anime classic
Review: The premise is simple: to ease the caring for the elderly, the government decides to experiment with automating said care, until the robot caretaker decides to take its charge on a trip to the beach! The result is both humorous and a biting commentary on how we view our elders. Roujin Z is a fun down-to-earth story with a doozy of an ending. I'd recommend it to newcomers to the anime genre - even above other classics like "Akira" - because the story is so much more human and focused. Just don't expect an action-fest.The DVD itself is quite sparse with only a language choice and chapter select. The only annoyance I had was the movie starts without going through the menu first. But the excellent story makes this one worth owning regardless.
Rating: 
Summary: Funny.
Review: This is a good one from Otomo. Not on par with Akira, but still good. Takazawa is hilarious and I love the cat! Plus, one of the coolest and most dramatic endings I have ever seen.
Rating:
Summary: Funny, classic
Review: This is a wonderfully funny movie about health care. The story has some very unbelievable spot, well nearly half the movie, but that doesn't matter. This is a typical comical anime. I would recommend it to all who like animes like the Slayers, or Sakura Wars.
Rating:
Summary: The English beats the Japanese verison.
Review: This is an excellent movie. Very funny with good satire. A good story. Provides a interesting view of the way the ACHS (Aged Challenged) are treated. I just wish more people cared like the main character. The english verison is better than the subtitled or orginal Japanese because of the additional jokes. If your looking for a ultra violent/fighting anime, don't get this. There is some fighting-after all, this is an anime movie, but it's satire that makes this movie great.
Rating:
Summary: Funny, gross, and impressive!
Review: This movie is silly, disgusting and satirical. There is a lot here that resembles Akira: detailed designs, solid direction, changing alliances, activist young people, and over-the-top transformations.
Rating:
Summary: Funny, gross, and impressive!
Review: This movie is silly, disgusting and satirical. There is a lot here that resembles Akira: detailed designs, solid direction, changing alliances, activist young people, and over-the-top transformations.
|
