Rating: 
Summary: Ambition Pays Off
Review: ... However why I am a fan of Aeon Flux and also this release is not only the voices I love (Trevor Goodchild / Aristotle can give you shivers of evil and wisdom at the same time, I don't want to understand it I just want to love it), or the same Chung drawings that.. although more restrained than the harsh edges of Aeon Flux (only a few prune faces in this one, fans of Aeon Flux will know what I'm talking about) has become more grand and beautiful, or even that it plays on some great history as an idea. No, the reason I love this is because it is deep. It has the guts to not pander to the Animae crowd but actually tells a real story with real animation, but rejects the old guard in the sense of action and less substance. Anyone that knows Aeon Flux and knows Peter Chung knows that it's not the animation or the beauty that makes you a fan, it's the depth and philosophy, the million little battles going on underneath the plot that you feel going on in these people. It's politics, it's war, it's emotion, and when Aristotle in Trevor Goodchild's great pitch speaks to Alexander.. you listen with intensity. This is a great DVD to get no matter ... you'll enjoy the exploration in Aeon Flux and Reign: The Conqurer of power, politics, and glory. ...
Rating:
Summary: Not your typical anime, but still one of the best I've seen
Review: As other reviewers have said, if you didn't like Aeon Flux then you may not like the artwork of Reign. My wife couldn't get beyond the character styling until I forced her to sit through an entire episode. Now she's hooked! Although different, the styling has its moments where the quality shines through. The English voice track is excellent, and fits both the characters and adult mood. Yes, this is very much an adult-oriented anime; for reasons other than the nudity, etc. Although obviously based on several factual/historical elements of Alexander's life, it deviates in many ways that I'll leave for the viewer to discover. This imaginative reworking and time-forwarding of Alexander's life is still completely captivating. It manages to place all of the elements that made Alexander the larger-than-life historical figure into a completely different context, yet still preserves the essence of his life that has drawn readers to the story of "Alexander the Great" for centuries. Reign is another beautiful facet in the growing collection of world-class anime on DVD that should rank favorably among the other greats like Cowboy Bebop, Outlaw Star, Hellsing, Vampire Hunter D. It's a highly imaginative and inspiring anime!!!
Rating:
Summary: Did you like Aeon Flux?
Review: At first when I watched this film I just couldnt figure out where this art came from and then after reading the reviews I sat there and thought, I see. Many complained about how bad the art was and couldnt get past the art and so forth. Well that doesnt annoy me because the art is actually rather slick in its style and colors are rather interesting. The films where the art I really hate are animated art where the faces are round and cartoonish where Japanamation often falls into that trap and the use of high squeeky voices truly about makes me want to bash the cassette apart. For exmaple: Princess Minerva, Sailor Moon stuff all about make me throw up because of its garbage artwork and its terrible annoying make-u-wanna vommit voicing. Ok enough of that. This first one didnt draw me in with the action but truly drew me in the storyline. Not because the storyline was so comprehensible because it wasnt. In fact, the storyline was heavily muddled and made absolutely no sense. However, I think they were onto something with the storyline because I was drawn to it and tried to fill in all the gaps myself. It would have been a genius of film had they not garbled the storyline I probably would have bought it instead of rented it.
Rating: 
Summary: Good film, yet flaws seem to come out over and over
Review: At first when I watched this film I just couldnt figure out where this art came from and then after reading the reviews I sat there and thought, I see. Many complained about how bad the art was and couldnt get past the art and so forth. Well that doesnt annoy me because the art is actually rather slick in its style and colors are rather interesting. The films where the art I really hate are animated art where the faces are round and cartoonish where Japanamation often falls into that trap and the use of high squeeky voices truly about makes me want to bash the cassette apart. For exmaple: Princess Minerva, Sailor Moon stuff all about make me throw up because of its garbage artwork and its terrible annoying make-u-wanna vommit voicing. Ok enough of that. This first one didnt draw me in with the action but truly drew me in the storyline. Not because the storyline was so comprehensible because it wasnt. In fact, the storyline was heavily muddled and made absolutely no sense. However, I think they were onto something with the storyline because I was drawn to it and tried to fill in all the gaps myself. It would have been a genius of film had they not garbled the storyline I probably would have bought it instead of rented it.
Rating: 
Summary: You wouldnt want your friends knowing you watch this...
Review: First off, I am a HUGE fan of anime and animation. I also find historical pieces interesting and Alexander is as good as any for subject matter. I found the story very interesting and the pacing fairly consistent and appropriate. HOWEVER, I cannot get over the art direction of this series. Small strips of leather, nut-cups, and hooker booties are the standard fare for the men and their facial structure/hair/eyes makes them appear as women for the most part...then you have the occasional female,monster,ugly little guy, etc. YUCK. Anyhow, I thought Aeon Flux kinda stunk, so if you liked THAT, you'll probably like this. Just thought some anime fans out there deserved a fair warning before spending their money.
Rating:
Summary: Not that good
Review: I am a big fan of Alexander and a mild fan on Japanimation. So when I saw this at my video store I thought it would be cool, different, but entertaining. It was pretty good story wise, but I expected a lot more on the animation side. It was terrible. Some of the cuts looked like they were taken from 1980's episodes of Vultron or He-Man. It could've and should've been a lot better compared to other Japanimation stuff I've seen.
Rating:
Summary: True; not the best value - but stunning visuals!
Review: I am an anime freak. Actually, I'm an animation freak. This series is absolutly beautiful. There will not be one single momment that you are watching this series when you ask yourself whether or not it was worth the money - YOU WILL LOVE IT. Can you say breath-taking? Reign: The Conqueror was developed by some of the most creative and influential forces in anime today. The anime features character and concept designs by Peter Chung, (Creator of MTV's Aeon Flux); is produced by Rintaro (Astro Boy, Metropolis) and Masao Murayama (Trigun, Cardcaptor Sakura); and showcases animation by the famed Madhouse studio (Trigun, Vampire Hunter D). Each episode is a visual feast of cutting-edge animation that follows characters along an intricate plotline highlighted by majestic battle sequences.
DVD 1 SYNOPSES:
Episode 1
A Prophecy Born This Day
In the 4th century A.D, a pagan shaman prophesies that Olympias, Queen of Macedonia, will give birth to a baby who will grow up to destroy the world. Enter Alexander ...
Episode 2
The Thunder Of Battle
The battle between Macedonia and Greece begins ... and, as a result of Alexander's aggressive tactics, the Macedonian cavalry wins the day. Upon his return to Macedonia, Alexander is feted by the people as a greater hero than his father, King Philip II ... a fact which does not go unnoticed by Attalos, advisor to the King ...
Episode 3
A Failure of Diplomacy
Persia is the center of the known world. Alexander discovers that Athens has sent a secret mission to Persia to seek an alliance against Macedonia. He journeys to Babylon, the capital of Persia, and begins to wreak some serious havoc ...
Episode 4
Ascension To The Throne
Alexander saves King Philip from an assassin's arrow, but the King then falls victim to a zombie-like soldier who stabs and kills him. At nearly the same time, Eurydice, who is the Queen and a daughter of Attalos, and her baby, who would become the successor to the throne of Macedonia, are killed by a curse cast on them by Olympias, the former wife of the now-dead King, Philip II ... This series will have you staring in awe at your television - and wanting more. Bummer that it's only 13 episodes... ^_^ If you like fast moving, fantasy based sci-fi, awesome fighting, beautiful scenery, imaginitive characters and just a great viewing experience, get this DVD.
Rating:
Summary: Excellent Series!! Great Animation and Music!!
Review: I caught this series on Cartoon Network from day 1, and loved every minute of it. I immediately bought this dvd the day it came out, and have enjoyed it even more. I saw 2 reviews complaining about it having only 4 eps, but that is standard for anime. Ok complainers, do you buy the Dragonball Z dvds that have 3 eps on it, and is about 86 vols long? I don't, but this series I think is worth it. Anyway, there is a lot of weird situations in it, and the art is different, which it is nice to see a change, but this series is not for everyone. Watch it on CN or rent it first, then if you like it, buy it if you want. I can't wait to own the whole series.
Rating:
Summary: gorgeous anime
Review: I don't have the DVD yet, and like the last reviewer I am basing my review on the episodes which have aired on Cartoon Network (unusually for anime, the show has had its US premiere on television, rather than video). This is not stereotypical anime. It's closely based on the story of Alexander the Great, who was tutored by Aristotle, and deals with a prophecy that he will "destroy the world." The usual big-eye style is not in evidence, because characters and general designs have been done by Peter Chung, who did the gorgeous and strange AEON FLUX in the 1990s. His art resembles that of the great fantasy illustrators of the early 20th century, such as Kay Nielsen, as well as more recent illustrators like Michael William Kaluta who were influenced by the earlier greats. Figures tend to have a lush facial beauty and an elongated form. Costumes in REIGN will be familiar to AF devotees, as they are a slightly ancient Grecian take on the cyber-fetishistic-armor clothes worn by characters in the earlier series. But all the visual awe in the world can't save a series with a weak plot or a lack of dramatic tension, and fortunately, REIGN doesn't suffer from those problems. The story involves the attempts of the Pythagorean Cult, supreme mathematicians, to assassinate Alexander before he can "destroy the world," the reasons for this prophecy (which have to do with a secret ritual attended by Alexander's parents on the island of Samotrace), a lost jewel of unimaginable power called the Platohedron, the evil plans of Alexander's witchy mother Olympias, plotting among courtiers, and Alexander's rivalry with Persia's great king Darius. There is excellent tension and drama, and some fantastic combat scenes. My only real complaint here is that the character of Roxanne, Alexander's love interest, is weak and underdeveloped. One more episode in the series could have done more with her. The real Roxanne was supposed to have been very intelligent and learned, but REIGN's Roxanne mostly just sits around looking demure and/or perturbed. So, if you love animation, or are interested in history but won't mind the great liberties taken with Alexander the Great's life story, this is a must-see...
Rating:
Summary: You wouldnt want your friends knowing you watch this...
Review: I hadn't intended to write a review, thinking that the series would be written off as a misfire, but I was dead wrong. At least I can post a dissenting view to add something to the mix. 'Reign' is an ambitious project, no doubt about that. Furthermore, it makes an aggressive and heartfelt attempt to woo anime buffs with its sweeping rewrite of the story of Alexander the Great. But that's about all the series has to recommend it. 'Reign' has a low-budget feel that manages to reproduce the grotesquerie of the 'Aeon Flux' shorts that appeared on MTV's Liquid Television way back when, without any of that series' remarkable style or visual appeal. The intentionally muddled story plays out as a Cronenberg-inspired, anachronistic nightmare, and everything about it screams overly self-conscious. Historical figures are presented in a way that suggests the creators, like countless college freshmen, followed up an intro to philosophy course with a "Whoa, dude" evening of pot-assisted theorizing. Reign is deconstructionist, but seemingly without intent-- including without the intent to have no intent. It floats uncomfortably between wishing to be a genre-defining masterwork and an in-your-face nihilistic manifesto. When a commercial project sets the latter as its goal, it might at least have the good grace to be entertaining, thought-provoking, or challenging. Reign isn't even much to look at, with much of the animation being on a Saturday morning cartoon level. Static backgrounds, limited detail, and a washed-out palette all undermine the attempts to create an animated epic. And the music is regrettably of the flavor-of-the-month electronic variety. In short, Reign is all heat and no light. In trying to be everything, it manages to succeed at nothing.
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