Akira

Rating:
Summary: This Movie Really Got Me Hooked on Anime!
Review: How long have I been waiting for this? Too long. I am very excited to see the coolest Anime ever come out on Region 1 DVD. This movie is so creative and enrapturing, I personally prefer to listen to the Japanese tracks, but I am an uber-freak.

The science fiction aspect of this movie is awesome and creative and the animation is very cleaver and realistic. If you have not seen this movie, then you must!

Rating:
Summary: Akira....Finally on DVD :-)
Review: First off what can I say about Akira thats not already been said. Some of the other reviewers have given a little of the story away, but to actually fathom the sheer amount of story undercurrent in Akira you must watch it, and by watch it I mean more than once.

As many other reviewers have said its based around two main characters, Kaneda and Tetsuo. What happens I will say is gory but also expands the characters extremely well. The basics behind the story, are of an old military project to tap into the energy thats there when humans are created, and during this project one subject named Akira manages to do so and become extremely powerful.

What happened to him remains unclear to till the end of the film but Tetsuo comes into contact with one of the original test subjects and he develops powers.

What else can I say except for, masterminded direction, outstanding animation, and of course the exceptional bike design :-)

Rating:
Summary: What you are getting
Review: Just to let you Akira fans know, if you have not already figured it out, that this DVD has a new english dub. I do not think they are releasing the old english dub on this disk. Also, they are releasing two DVDs. One is the standard version and the other is the Deluxe version. The regular has the english and japanese with the widescreen version of the film and the deluxe has a behind the scenes on the remastering as well as other goodies. I have heard mixed reviews on the new english dub. I was a little upset at Pioneer for not including that old english track on the DVD as well. Aw well, as they say, life's not perfect.

Rating:
Summary: Beat this Anime? I don't think so!
Review: On a basic Saturday morning I slowly shuffled down to the T.V. to turn on my Saturday Anime on the Sci-Fi channel. I expected another re-run of some crappy anime, but it didn't matter to me. Rather, I discovered they were playing a movie I had never heard of, Akira. From the beginning to the end, I was glued to my seat. I even watched the commercials with attentiveness because I was afraid I would miss it when it came back on. Because it was on t.v. it had been shortened and was missing a lot of the graphic detail in this movie, which is very generous. I therefore rented it and watched it three times that day. This is a very graphic movie, involving generous blood and some nudity. There is no doubt in my mind that this is the best Anime I have ever seen. So what are waiting for?! Go rent it!

Rating:
Summary: Animation For Adults
Review: Let me clarify that: I am not talking about the soft-core porno-violence that defines a lot of modern anime and manga. Rather, I'm speaking to the idea that Akira is a mature, intelligent film, written, animated and meant for mature, intelligent audiences -- the sort of people who understand that you have to eat your veggies before you get to have your ice cream. Akira is a substantial "meal" of a film, and it makes practically every other animated film (the Disney studio's "product" films in particular) seem about as nutritious as a candy bar. Not that there's anything wrong with that; it's just that sometimes you want a little bit more than bad "feel-good" rewrites of Edgar Rice Burroughs and Victor Hugo, you know what I mean? Akira serves that need quite well. Set in 21st-century Neo-Tokyo, "31 years after World War III", the film is a twisting, turning, dark and feverish science-fantasy story. The characters are intelligently-created, the symbolism and subtext are thought-provoking but not intrusive; the story is absolutely riveting; and the animation itself is some of the best (if not the best) I've ever seen.

One of the best things about Akira is that it is not simplistic in terms of story -- plots and subplots abound here, not so much so as to confuse an attentive viewer, but definitely far more complex than 99% of the other animated films out there. On one side we have the gang of biker punks led by Kaneda and Yamagata, and the sensitive depiction of Kaneda's abrasive/protective relationship with young Tetsuo, whose tortured heart and love/hate for Kaneda radiate from every frame he's in. On the other side is the nameless Colonel (whose mannerisms and speech suggest the legendary Toshiro Mifune, and I don't think that's accidental), in charge of Neo-Tokyo security, head of the secret "Akira" project, embroiled in the City Council's endless backbiting and politicking. There are also saboteur rebels, traitors on the Council, and three "children", holdovers from the first Akira project, who hold the key to the entire film.

The movie unfolds beautifully, combining action, character and theme so subtly, there are times you hardly notice it being done -- another sign that this is not your average animation. From the dramatic yet mysterious opening, to the enthralling battle between Kaneda's gang and the villanous "Clowns", your attention is captured -- not to mention your imagination. Then a subplot involving rebels Kei and Ryu, and one of the child-humanoids, is slowly introduced, then suddenly interwoven with Tetsuo's story -- and if you haven't already been hooked, you will be. The story, which covers all its bases quite well, then goes on to involve Kaneda's search for his missing friend with Kei and Ryu's plot to kidnap one of the Akira test subjects; also interwoven are the three children with Tetsuo's newly-engineered psychic abilities. He rapidly becomes addicted to them, then corrupted by them; his already-unstable personality disintegrates and he goes mad. (A key illustration of this comes late in the film: Tetsuo's mechanical arm, which he fashions with his powers after losing his flesh-and-blood limb. The filmmakers are making the point here that Tetsuo is losing his humanity, becoming a thing instead of a person. It's a bit of symbolism which in other hands would be clumsy and obvious, but which here works so well and seamlessly you absorb it without noticing.) As the apocalyptic ending comes about, the characters and stories have all become intertwined, and nothing is left forgotten or unclear -- although it may take you two or three viewings to get the full effect. And when Akira finally emerges, after haunting the entire film like a Japanese Rebecca (not an inapt analogy, by the way, as Tetsuo continually is compared to the departed Akira), the moment is, in terms of what has gone before, the linchpin of the entire film.

A few final notes: Much has been made by critics of this film's high violence content -- if you want my honest opinion, they're full of it. Akira is no more violent than a film like Predator or Dawn of the Dead; it's just that, as Americans raised on the cartoons-are-for-kids notion (implanted in our minds mostly by Disney and Saturday morning television), we are unused to seeing such a high level of violent action in animation. But in Japan and Europe, where animation and cartooning are taken seriously as an art form, stuff like this is meant for adults, not kids. My point being, once again, that this is not a cutesy-pie kids flick, and you should not, repeat NOT, allow your kids to watch it until and unless they're teenagers (i.e. 17 or 18!). My other note is that Akira is based on the manga (magazine or "comic book") of the same name, translated versions of which are available at most specialty comic book stores. If you think Akira is cool, get some of the mangas to find out what happens next!

Finally, I want to mention that the above review is based on the Special Subtitled Edition of Akira, which is hard but not impossible to find. Unlike the dubbed version, which at best gives you a fair approximation of the original script (in much the same way as a hamburger approximates a t-bone steak), the subtitled version (the one screened at film festivals) provides a much clearer view of the complex plot, subplots, and characters -- in particular the Colonel, the Akira children, and their various motivations. ...Remain in Light -- Phrodoe.

Rating:
Summary: Just when you thought japanimation couldn't get any better
Review: Akira was made in 1989 and is now being reintroduced to the public. Katsuhiro Otomo's film takes place in Neo Tokyo and tells the story of Kaneda, the leader of a bike gang, and his friend Tetsuo who get caught up in a secret government project that involves the greatest power in the universe, Akira. This project is to develope ESP powers inside the brains of young children to learn the secret of Akira's growth pattern because power hungry government and military leaders want to control this power for themselves.When they find a person with a similar pattern who has the potential to awaken this power the question arises, can they really control this power or will it cause the end of Neo Tokyo? A must see movie for any anime fan. This film is rated R for language, excesive violence, and some nudity. Definately not for younger audiences.

Rating:
Summary: The Greatist Anime of All Time!!!!!
Review: WOW! back in the summer of 1996, i heard about this movie so much that i decided to rent it. after that, i was amazed and outstanded by it and bought it. The Story deals with futuristic Tokyo, a Biker named Tetsuo gets hurt in a Accident and is being the subject of a experiment in giving him mental powers called " Akira", suddenly he goes on this rampage through The city in search of " Akira" with his Telekinetic-Telpathic powers. Really Awesome, Amazing and one of the best animated films i've ever seen in my entire life, it's sure gotten acclaim and a cult following ever since it's theatrical release in the US in 1988. It's a Must See or Must Own for Anime fans.

recommendations: Ghost in the Shell, Blade Runner, Heavy Metal, Total Recall, Evil Dead, Ninja Scroll, Professional: Golgo 13, American Pop, Rock and Rule, Fist of the North Star, Spawn ( animated), The Matrix, Transformers: The Movie, The Fifth Element, Mad Max, Scanners, Carrie, Firestarter, The Sixth Sense, A clockwork Orange, and The Shining.

Rating:
Summary: neo tokyo is about to explode!!!!!!!
Review: This is it!!!!!!!! the manga movie of all time!!!!!!On DVD!!!!!!this edition is the one you've been waiting for......cleaned up from the original celluloid film,sound by mr lucas's thx, and picture quliaty to make you see the beauty all over again. Akira is the ultimate in japanese animation, if you have not seen it then you are in for a real treat. A gripping story line (that you might not pick up straight away), great characters, great action and overall a great film.

buy it now....i will deliever

Rating:
Summary: The BEST Anime I've Ever Seen!!!
Review: Akira is by far the greatest anime I've ever seen!

The story is based in the post-apocolyptic future (21st century). The human races' population has been been dramatically reduced, but it is by no means extinct. The remaining population is plagued by rival street gangs, a constant military presense, and corrupt politicians.

In this future, an extremely powerful psychic force, known throughout the movie as "Akira", has been kept under tight reign by the military. It wasn't completely clear to me, but I beleive that the manifestation of Akira in children and young adults was a result of the military experimenting on gifted human minds to create an all-powerful military fighter. The initial experiments resulted in disaster.

Early on in the movie, the main character of the story, Tetsuo, a young teen-aged biker, is "found" by the experimentation team. He is put through the testing and Akira grows in him. It proves to be too much for him to handle, and he quite simply goes mad from the power... and I do mean crazy-mad! His meta-physical and telekinetic powers grow to unimaginable levels. At one point in the movie while in the military hospital, he get's out of bed with a terrible headache and is beginning to go mad. As he's walking towards his steel bedroom door, it splinters and shreds from it's hinges. He stubles down the hall a little ways and a group of gaurds tries to subdue him. This of course pisses him off, and in a fit of anger he wills a spherical force into existence expanding around himself, which just totally sends shredded pieces of the soldiers all over the corridor.

...That's pretty early on, and only a SMALL example of the things that happen in this movie. I'll leave it at that.

If it truely helps you to decide whether or not this movie is worth buying, I can tell you that since seeing this one, I find myself comparing every other anime to it, and feeling let down that there have been no others that come close to being as good as Akira. The animation is simply the best! Clean, clear, smooth, and most importantly, EXTREMELY DETAILED! I swear, not only were the animators and drawers of this movie extremely gifted, but they were also extremely meticulous about every little thing. You've got to see it to believe it!

One warning: This movie can be VERY graphic at times (visually, not sexually).

Rating:
Summary: Finally, a release date!!!
Review: For the most part, anime movies and series have their own following, all willing to stake that "their" series is the penultimate of animation. However, few movies have made the impact that Akira has on American culture and its exposure to Japanese animation. Long before Pokemon and Gundam (Though Big O is a blessing in disguise on Toonami...) we got a taste of the full emotional range and power that could exist in a cartoon, and now we're getting it on DVD! Incredible? Most definitely. Though-provoing? Absolutely.

Akira is simply incredible, and how Otomo managed to even attempt to fit the 2,000+ page manga into a movie is stunning. Anyone who doubts the impact this movies has made can simply ask the casual anime fan what the first movie they saw was. As for pop-culture? Check out the Powerpuff Girls! They did a great spoof on Tetsuo with the ugly sister episode, and it only goes to show how sincere the fan-base is out there.

To put it bluntly, if you haven't seen Akira, you need to. If you don't own it, you need to buy it! Being a college student myself, I know we're all not independently wealthy, but this is perhaps one of the best full-length animes ever created! (The manga isn't too shabby either...:P)