Kino's Journey - Warning Curves Ahead (Vol. 3)

Rating:
Summary: Alright...
Review: Ok, for a Kino's Journey compilation, this isn't the greatest DVD set... but since it IS Kino's Journey, with everything that that implies, I'd give it more of a 4.5 than a 5.
There are three episodes on this disc, none of them much better than mediocre for the series. In the first episode, the entire story is related from someone else's POV, which is a little unusual, but it fits with the story that's being told. There's also the unusual twist of a truly happy ending... not something that happens too often in this show.
The second episode easily had the best concept, dealing with ideas that made novels like Farenheit 451 and 1984 famous -- the idea of censorship for one's own good. However, at the end, the story loses any form of coherence. In it's defence, there a few really deep segments in this episode, most of them coming as individual "stories" that somehow connect to the plot. My fave one involved a tank.. but you'll have to watch it!! *wink*
The third episode is the best of the three, regaining some of the promise of the first two Discs of the series. An interesting story, with a subtle twist and a melancholy sort of ending, the formula we've come to know and love!
If you're a fan of Kino's journey, than you'll want to buy this disc, for it's only a slight low point in an otherwise excellent series. If you happened to HATE the first two discs, well you suck. Kidding... but don't try and continue with this one. Looking forward to the next disc now......... and some plot resolution!

Rating:
Summary: It Was Like Magic
Review: The third installment of the Kino's Journey DVDs does not disappoint. We begin with a story about a young girl with a dream, one that has captivated humanity since its very birth, the dream of flight. But she lives in a country where nothing is deemed of worth unless it helps enhance crop yield. This story is told through the girl's point of view, and Kino's involvement is miniscule. This episode is about the indomitable nature of the human spirit, and dreams that won't die. It also lets us know a bit about the world Kino lives in. From the first episode, we'd seen that Kino lived in a world with technological marvels, and yet, we also learn that in this alternate world, flight had not yet been developed.
The second episode is about a country where censorship is law. Books are limited to children's stories and technical manuals. Stories with "Dangerous ideas" are forbidden. And stories with interesting characters aren't allowed either, for fear that people will waste their lives pining for fictional characters. Or is it that the critics are locked away to protect the public from their self-important need to rend asunder that which others poured their hearts into? Or is it really that life is a blank book, and we're free to write what we want?
The final episode is somewhat reminiscent of Ray Bradbury's "I Sing the Body Electric." Kino and Hermes encounter a woman who claims to be a mechanical doll (robot), and she takes them to her home to meet her "masters". It becomes clear quickly to Kino that the masters are the dolls, and the woman is a human. What unfolds is a sad, somber story of love, loss, and a life of service in the name of fullfilment.

Rating:
Summary: A little backstory (possibly)...
Review: This volume of Kino's Journey borrows slightly from Western-style SF, particularly in the narrative style of Ray Bradbury. The writers do their usual excellent job, not leaning too hard on their style and letting the stories unfold as they will.

The first episode veers from the usual perspective by giving the first-person narrative to a guest character-- but for this story, it's a plus. The plot resembles Bradbury's "The Flying Machine", in places, but ends somewhat differently. I've got to say, though, that the character of the town's Chief is a bit too stereotypical and hard-nosed to be realistic.

The second story recalls pieces of Fahrenheit 451, but with the expected twists that are typical of this series. Incidentally, a piece of Kino's personal history is (possibly) revealed here.

Finally, the last story examines humanity from a nonhuman perspective, in the vein of Bradbury's "I Sing the Body Electric" or "Marionettes Inc.". I feel that this is probably the weakest of the three on this disc, but we're still talking about Kino's Journey, so the disappointment is minimal.

Rating:
Summary: Not quite
Review: This volume was a bit of a step down from the previous two. Of course, it is still pretty good in any case. There are three episodes, Land of Wizards, Land of Books, and A Tale of Mechanical Dolls. The first focused more on someone other than Kino, but was more interesting for what it reveals about Kino's character than the 'triumph over adversity' story. The second was kind of incoherent, but pleasant. It seems they tried to cram a few too many concepts into one episode, so that the entire thing seems somewhat less than real. Definitely deserving of multiple viewings, though. The third had a really predictable ending, but I thought the happy family explaining what they could do for Kino was kind of chilling. Still, this series remains one of the best out there, and the lack of violence provides a nice contrast to the second volume.