Metropolis

Rating:
Summary: Difficult to become involved in the plot or the characters
Review: Style? The cell animation is great. The computer animation is great. But the two are in completely different styles -- a disturbing clash. As pointed out before, the characters are drawn in a style that went out-of-date at least 40 or 50 years ago. The story requires numerous amazing feats of animation and many different visually complex and arresting backgrounds and settings in the different levels of Metropolis. And there are tremendous chase scenes and the climactic destruction at the end. These are all impressive as an expression of the art and craft of animation. If you want to watch the movie simply to appreciate this craft, that is a legitimate reason to see it.

However, the substance of the story did not interest this viewer. The premise does not make particular sense. Granted, Duke Red wants great power (not too sure why -- he doesn't seem particularly megalomaniacal otherwise), and perhaps has delusions of grandeur, thinking he will make the world a utopia under some kind of worldwide network of control. But I can't understand why he thought the way to accomplish this was to contruct a robot in the image of his deceased flesh-and-blood daughter.

The boy Ken-ichi and the robot girl look admiringly at one another, and they have a bit of adventure together, but what is the attraction between these two? Their characters are less dimensional than the animation cells they were drawn on.

For me the movie stands, or in this case falls, on the quality of the plot and the degree to which one can identify with the motives and emotions of the characters. For example, why does the anti-robot faction so vehemently hate the innocuous and cute robots in this fictional metropolis? They hate them because they hate them. The story has many elements which seem thrown together in a blender, sort of like the visual style. All to no particularly cohesive purpose.

This is not great anime (like Miyazaki) nor is it particularly good cinema. Hats off to the animators. The writers and director earn no praise. Essentially boring and forgettable. Even the original Metropolis by Fritz Lang, a very dated silent film, is more involving than this.

Rating:
Summary: This is a complex movie to review
Review: The animation in this film could be the best I have ever seen; even better than "Snow White". The characters and objects were very grounded within the settings unlike a like low budget, Saturday morning cartoon like "Scoobydoo" where the characters looked pasted on top of a background.

The lighting and shading, the color pallette, as well as the three point perspective was spectacular. Everything always looked very grounded. The best I have ever seen. I also liked the fact that the people in the backgrounds were not static drawings but rather they were animated as well. (There's a million stories in "Metropolis so to speak.)

Everything contained in "Metropolis" is profoundly well executed yet at times it falls short since some of the elements such as the music, character design, and back ground art don't always integrate together.

For Example: The character design is very "anime, retro" which I liked. It reminded me of the old "Astro Boy", "Gigantor, or the "Rusty and Tin Tin" cartoons". It was very stylized and fun. However when this art was integrated into the "Metropolis" background art; (Which I call "techno, art deco" which is quite breathtaking in its complexity, color and form), some of the characters seemed out of place. When you have a character with a gigantic nose, or a mustache that looks like a mop, it looks odd when placed in a back ground that looks like you or I could stroll through.

The editing was very old school as in 1920's style. it was amusing at times with its main emphasis on the "majestic scenery" just like in a silent movie.

Music wise they used a rag time, New Orleans jazz vibe which didn't always work for me. When I think of a city I do think jazz but the jazz has a blues influence. Nonetheless, it was very well orchestrated and performed. I also didn't like the Ray Charles song overlay when a particular plot point was going "KLA-BLOOIE"

Story wise I loved it all the way till the third act. I didn't like the sudden change in a particular protagonist docile nature. I also wanted the character to survive.

So what you have is a movie that is breathtaking to look at. Sets new animation standards that even Disney should take seriously. Pays homage to 1960's Japanese anime, but has a story line that may miss the mark for those like myself. However there is a lot to love and admire about "Metropolis" and it is well worth putting in your library if you appreciate fine art in animation.

Tony

Rating:
Summary: Stunning: no doubt about it
Review: Amazing, stunning and oh so beautiful. Whit a good story and retro futurisic look makes this anime one of the best ever made. If you somehow have missed it I highly recommed that you go and see it. And a little about the plot:

It takes place in the city Metropolis in some future. A PI from Japan has tracked down a mad scientist and he is bout to arrest him when he gets murdered. And from there the story goes on...

See it is all I can say!

Rating:
Summary: A great anime that will make your jaw drop
Review: While watching this movie, I kept finding myself saying "wow" over and over. The visuals for this movie are top-notch, I don't think I've seen a movie that looks this good visually. I had to go back and watch it again just to keep up with the story because i spent so much of the first viewing drooling over the cg/animation blend.

The plot isn't the most original in the world, but it doesnt hurt the movie at all. The story follows a detective and his nephew as the become caught up with Tima, a robot designed to run a super computer.

The real pull of this movie is how attached the viewer becomes to the characters. Even Rock, with his malicious and blind sense of justice begs for some sympathy.

The relationship between Kenichi and Tima is a wonderful symbol of the naive view of the world children have, not always realizing what they do and what is going on around them.

In terms of anime, some people might find it a bit disappointing. No bodacious babes, no giant swords cleaving people in half, and no crackpot jokes that are barely funny.

In terms of a great movie, this one is a winner. It is an emotional piece that hits all the buttons other movies similar in idea(A.I. for instance) missed.

Rating:
Summary: Why does it work with the Japanese...?
Review: We all know this cliche. Robots in the far future, evil scientist, a robot as the main character. But when you add in the 'Japanese' touch, the wonderful (but yes, SWING) musical score, the fancy digital animation, and the 21st century angst we all love, I can't help but wonder... Why do things seem to work better with the Japanese?

It's because of movies like these that I love anime.

From what I gathered, the reviews are a mixed batch, and many refer to Princess Mononoke. I don't quite think this movie should be compared to it at all because of the extreme difference in genres, but I would put this up with it as one of the best anime movies, or just movie in general, of all time.

But I will also say you should rent it before you buy. Not because it's a mediocre movie, but for some the violence might be at the point of being unsuitable. There is a lot of destruction, especially towards the robots (I personally don't mind it, but i'm a bit biased.)

But as always, the ending is what catches you by surprise. Never have I been able to guess what will happen in a (good) anime movie, and this one is no different. Let's suffice to say, 'keep your mind open,' and I STRONGLY suggest this movie to absolutely anyone, anime fan or hater.

Rating:
Summary: best movie i've ever seen.
Review: Honestly....when i first saw the movie.....I hated it. It only had japenese dialogue and I hate subtitles.......But that was quickly fixed when I realized that it had a american dialogue....hehe........The scenery is some of the most artistic that I've ever seen. The music gives it such a flare....similar to that of Cowboy Beebop. The character animation was a bit of a throw at first.....,but after studying Manga and drawing it. I came to love the way how all of the characters give such an original feel while still giving a retro one too. The movie has such a mastered look to it that makes it such a jewel. You have to be a real artist or enthusiest in order to appreciate the way in which you are bombarded with hidden messages, which is a positive effect in this case. By messages I mean that the way the scenes are constructed leave you with such a firm vision and vivid emotion that the story is trying to convey. The visions will leave you with something special. The film will always stick out in my mind as being beautiful, thought-provoking, and soulful. Get it
Now or youll always be missing out on one of the best Animes ever.

Rating:
Summary: Essential Anime
Review: You must buy this, it's a GOT TO. The corner stones of anime were Akira, Ghost in the shell, and Ninja scroll. But now the list grows one more with Metropolis. These are just got to buy essentials that every anime fan should buy first.

Rating:
Summary: Amazing...
Review: If you like a happy-go-lucky Walt Disney style of animation, then don't even think about watching this. But since I hate any happy-go-lucky flicks, I totally fell in love with "Metropolis". Original, different, and wowza. Osamu Tezuka's a genious - his art takes some time to get used to, but after awhile, you really do appreciate the originality in his characters. And you really get attatched to the characters after awhile...Rock may be your average pretty-boy villian at first glance, but you realize his love for his father and Metropolis after about half an hour of watching the scenes. Tima, the cyborg, is a frail creature that doesn't know how to act around humans much less how to survive, and she's mentally attatched to Kenichi, the first human for her to encounter after Rock decides to blast down the lab she was created in. And the ending - *sob* It's a typical Asian movie ending - the kind that makes you think but want to punch the screen at the same time :)
Be warned that this is not an animation for your average 6-11 year old audience. There's alot of gunshots, some rather disturbing scenes in which Tima loses her human skin coverage, and Rock just goes wild with the gun. A generous number of people loses their lives as well...
The art is amazing, but the music...I'm not a big fan of jazz and blues, but the "I Can't Stop Loving You" song when Ziggarut crumbles down is totally ironic, and it's actually amazing on how it adds to the moods. And I'm pretty sure you DON'T want to hear the sounds of a building crashing, crumbling, and exploding for about two minutes, do you?
One last thing...get the one with the subtitles. Dubbs for anime and Asian movies are never good when it's in a western language. Keep in mind that the way Asian people talk and the way western people do are VERY different, and it could ruin the "feel" of the movie.
Buy it, and you won't be dissapointed. But if you hate anime then...you'll like the story :)

Rating:
Summary: The Art, The Story...Horrible.
Review: When I first saw the character design (which is much like fifties American cartoons) I thought, "Uh...is this going to change in the second disc?".

I was just fooling myself of course.

The backround art, is exceptional however. It really annoyed me. I would love to see the characters with that art quality.

Some say the way the characters look is 'refreshing.'. I don't see it.

As for the story, it's way overdone and has nothing special about it.

The best thing about this movie was some of the music and the backround art.

I would explain the story, but there are so many other reviewers doing so, and frankly, it's so forgettable, I can't tell you much.

If you like the sound of the other reviews though, you should rent it. I think you'll either love or hate this anime.

If you're looking for an anime that's good for children, I suggest to you Panda! Go Panda! or Kiki's Delivery Service.

I think, though, you're probably here because of all the hype surronding this movie.

Rating:
Summary: Who am I?
Review: All animation in this day and age should have the polished refinement this film has. As an animation major I was flat out floored by the visuals. The story may be confusing to follow and if you have no experience with the original Metropolis or any interest in the philosophical debates over free will and fate, the story will drag a little for you. The score is first rate however and the DVD 5.1 sounds amazing. This DVD also sports the most languages and subtitle options I have seen on a disc to date. The extras range from the mundane usuals (trailers, picture galleries) to the truly interesting (I really enjoy the director comments and such...they happen to parallel my ideas about the film medium) Overall, if you are into animation this is something you need to have for yourself.