Akira

Rating:
Summary: Spectacular DVD release of a controversial Anime classic.
Review: Katsuhiro Otomo's ¥1.1 billion animated adaptation of his 2,000+ page graphic novel, AKIRA, is considered by many to be the pinnacle of Japanese animation, but I'm going to take an unpopular stand and say that I can't bring myself to consider it one of my favorite movies. The animation is spectacular, yes, and the music by the Geinoh Yamashiro Gumi is a fitting compliment to this post-apocalyptic tale about juvenile delinquents, corrupt politicians, and supernatural powers going wrong. Where it falters, however, is in the story department. In trying to squeeze the number of pages Otomo wrote into a two-hour movie, the plot is rather convoluted and almost difficult to follow. It's also not for the squeamish of viewers much less young children; there is an extreme amount of graphic violence and bloodletting, and there are some truly gruesome sequences toward the end. (And by gruesome, I mean, one character -- our anti-hero, Tetsuo -- has his arm amputated by a space satellite, and we see the bloody results of it; later he gets an artificial arm, which goes out of control, and he transforms into a gross, indistinguishable mass of flesh and gore.) I don't hate this movie by any means; as mentioned, the animation and music are both things to marvel at, but there are far better Anime movies around which at least don't overdo the graphic violence, and have a more coherent plot to follow. Need I mention, too, that I was only thirteen(!) at the time I first saw the movie.

Five years later, when I saw it again, it wasn't the bloodletting or labyrinthine story that offended me. What did it was the English dub released by Streamline Pictures more than ten years ago. I understand this dub has its fans, but I can never bring myself to listen to it. Ever. It's arguably the absolute worst English language production I've ever heard; the voice acting was terrible and offensive, and the script was poorly written, and for its biggest shortcoming, ABSOLUTELY INCOMPREHENSIBLE. This only made watching the movie even more difficult, especially its rather daring (and equally confusing) conclusion.

However, I do have to give Pioneer Entertainment credit for putting a lot into remastering this movie for a better audience as well as this Special Edition DVD. The video quality is amazing, but not quite perfect; there are still some specks I could spot on the print, but these are very insignificant considering how gorgeous the print looks. The biggest improvement, however, has to be the English re-dub. Made by AniMaze, Inc., with direction by Kevin Seymour, it is superior to the Streamline dub in every way. The voice acting is extremely good; I found myself liking some of the characters I initially didn't care for as a result of the old dub. More importantly, the script is MUCH, MUCH BETTER. Its lines are not laughable, and IT MAKES SENSE, TOO (well, except for the ending, but then again, I guess there isn't much one can do to improve it). I also noticed that it's close in spirit and meaning to the subtitled script. Sometimes using a direct word-for-word literal translation in an English dub can result disastrously, but thankfully, the new translation is well written and equally comprehensible. Strangely, some disgruntled purists say that the OLD DUB is better than the new dub! I find this totally ridiculous, especially when the first dub was so unlistenable, but then again I've heard similar complaints about other Streamline-released productions being redubbed, such as THE CASTLE OF CAGLIOSTRO, and CASTLE IN THE SKY, both of which had excellent redubs. And this is from someone who didn't even see the FIRST English dubs of these two titles. Plus, you sub fans should at least be happy that the Japanese language track is on here, too. It may only be 2.0 and not 5.1, but at least it's there for you to listen to. (Note: A recent Pioneer release has the Japanese track remastered to DTS 5.1.)

Its the special features, however, that make this edition of AKIRA deserve its subtitle. There's absolutely everything you'd want to know about this film, including a 45-minute "making-of" documentary, a 20-minute featurette on the creation of the music, an interview with Otomo, three excellent featurettes about the remastering process (and where three talented actors from the English dub -- Johnny Yong Bosch as Kaneda, Joshua Seth as Tetsuo, and Wendee Lee as Kei -- get to speak their thoughts, too; an exciting feature considering that I'm into dubs), and a glossary. The latter feature helps make the movie more comprehensible, as it explains some of the terms found in the film -- not to mention the cryptic ending. There's also a "capsule feature", where a capsule appears once in a while on the screen, and you can highlight it to learn even more interesting facts on the film.

AKIRA may be a movie that I have problems recommending as a good introduction for Anime (Miyazaki's movies come to mind for me), but this DVD release is so well done that it comes across as an essential. Even for a non-fan!

Rating:
Summary: Could be used to weed out psychopaths in public schools.
Review: This was made long before the advent of computer generated animation, and I really miss the old hand drawn animation. It just has so much more character than this new CGI stuff. The story on the other hand didn't quite add up at all. Maybe something is really lost in the translation, but the writing isn't much better than a Godzilla movie. At least a Godzilla has a campy charm to it. The plot just seems to rest very uneasily upon the dialogue of the characters rather than be integrated into the story. So many of the characters are just making speeches to try make a vain attempt at explaining what's going on. Still, it didn't make any sense. Why were these experiments conducted in the first place? Why is Akira being worshiped as a techno saviour? Why do they await his return when he destroyed the city last time he came? (Come and kill us again Akira) Why continue such experiments? Why did Tetsuo become like the experiments just by coming in contact with one? Why didn't the many other people turn like Tetsuo when so many others were exposed to the same experiment? Ultimately, it's but a movie about a kid going on a murderous rampage that's fueled by his own inadequacy. That might appeal to teens who have fantasized about going postal on their high school, but nobody else. Anyone who gives this movie 5 stars should be committed before they hurt somebody if you ask me.

Rating:
Summary: Wierd wierd anime
Review: An interesting, thought provoking anime that delves into the human psyche and also deals with human evolution. Thought provoking until about the last 15 minutes. At that point it just gets wierd and makes no sense. The main character, Tetsuo, turns into a giant mutant bloatsac and they never really explain who the hell Akira is an how he really relates to the story. Also, Tetsuo's girlfriend has to be the ugliest girl in anime history. If you want to see a classic anime that delves into the human mind, then see Neon Genesis Evangelion. As for human evolution, wait for the upcoming Elfen Lied. I enjoyed both better than Akira. Elfen Lied, unfortunatly, slightly lacks some character developement and is too short of a series.

Rating:
Summary: On DVD
Review: It's great to see this movie on DVD, it's one of my favorite Anime movies, first I had it on VHS and I found it exciting,also the score of the movies it's exciting. But this DVD special edition is not why I was expecting for: they changed dialogues and sometimes they make the story confusing. Maybe, new scenes included? The image it's clear and the animation good, the only problem are those moments inside of the bubble, when you see images of Tetsuo and his friends, and it's not clear what Akira is and he's the risponsable, of such disaster in 1988.

If you really like Anime this is your movie.

Rating:
Summary: 4.5 stars
Review: When I first watched this movie, I knew nothing about anime whatsoever, and I'd never seen any Japanese films at all. I didn't know anything about Akira either, I was just bored one saturday night, and my roommate had a copy of it. I'd heard of it, so I figure maybe I ought to watch it to kill some time till later on. I was really blown away, from the first bits of the film on--the opening chase scene is a brilliant hook. About halfway through, some of my friends went to a bar, but I was way too enthralled to leave. The animation is very good, way better than I expected, and some of the dream-like visuals are stunning and use the medium very well. There are some scenes that just couldn't be done without being animated. The story's pretty interesting, and I don't know if I understand it completely, but it certainly isn't something where you stop watching and have no idea what happened. It generally makes sense. I've gotten lots of people who "hate" anime to watch this film, and they've all really liked it. If you're thinking of tiny people with huge heads and HUGE eyes, really small mouths, with a lot of screaming and lazy animation--this movie is nothing like that at all. Good for anybody. The only thing that bugs me is the dubbing isn't great (never is), and some of the script is kinda dumb/irritating (like a lot of anime), but that's more a function of the way the young characters are at times portrayed than bad writing I think. It's definitely a very minor issue. Oh yeah, and the music rules!!! Another good thing to try if you don't necessarily like big-eyed japanimation is the animatrix dvd--some of the shorts are really weird and cool.

Rating:
Summary: negative reviews fall into 2 catagories
Review: 1. The understandable complaints that this version changed what people grew up with. I disagree, and belive that its an excellent change personally, but I also know the effects of audio are severe on nostalgic memory's.

Seems like the original fan base is suffering more from personal attachment issues than a lack of taste really. Its hard to fall in love with something only to have it changed, even if for the better(or worse ..) Since the rythem of something you have watched will be off just enough to bug you.

In this case I would warn against people who are long time loyal fans, most of these people got the movie by now probably, less hardcore longtime fans who rememmber the movie, and just now wanna re-live it probably won't notice the change.

2. the Second catagory of complaints are the kids that watch anime for all the wrong reasons, Kids with too much of an appitite for mindless action and violence that looks more interesting when being animated, even more dramatic. To say this movie is boring, followed by numerous complaints of not understanding it definitly leads me to belive that this kids watched this movie waiting for some kind of major action sequences.

T^his movie starts of with a mild action bang in the form of a bike sequence, this sort of speed racer sequence comes back later on in the the sewers, and there is a few I'm a super human badass psyche stuff, but the reality is this movie is a much more subtle Sci-fi epic styled movie. With many layers and multiple story line clashes, it build a tapestry of more down to earth stroys about friendship and power struggeles. The ending that most of the kids complain about being long ( or they don't understand ..) Is very spiritual, and is one of my favorite endings ever, in any movie anime- or elsewhere.

One of the reason Akira became what is was . had nothing to do with it bein the first anything. the reason It was such a powerful movie is its abilty to trancend anime. To become something more than an animated movie. Many people who in america actually first viewed this movie with a group of other movies that exploded about the same time thanks mostly to sci-fi network, and word of mouth of friends. Lots of them watched other anime beforehand, and this is the one that actually stuck with them and really made them understand that it was more than "cartoons". I myself Remember seeing the Project Ak-O stuff, and dominion tank police stuff, and at the time was really into Project Ak-O. It was this movie that I always look back at as the definitive anime "motion picture".

I still will pull out and watch this DVD first when showing anime to friends that haven't watched much



Rating:
Summary: Exciting, Disturbing movie
Review: Akira is often lauded as the definitive anime film. It is quite a spectacle to behold, and the movie definitely deserves the hype.

This anime is primarily a cyberpunk morality tale. It is also a brilliant, bleak version of the future that takes viewers on a slick, violent, and mind-bending ride. Akira's philosophical undertones rival those of the Matrix and echo those of 2001: A Space Odyssey.

(Spoilers below)

The story is primarily about a gang of teenager bikers that live in Neo Tokyo, 2019. Akira begins with a brief look into the life of Tetsuo, a 15-year-old underdog who is constantly in need of the help of his friends (the other gang members). His foil is the loud, brash Kaneda, the gang member who drives the now-infamous red motorcycle. Neo Tokyo is in a state of political unrest, and the government is also involved with several experiments that exploit the powers of skilled psychic children. One of these children was Akira, a boy that razed Neo Tokyo over 30 years ago. Tetsuo crashes into one of these psychic children during a motorcycle chase, thus awakening his own latent abilities.

Tetsuo is temporarily kidnapped by the government where his powers are tested and forced into existence. The movie later insinuates that Tetsuo is entering the next stage of humanity; he is an evolved, powerful telepath. However, the movie also alludes to the fact that the government used various techniques to draw out these powers (from the other children, a strange group of withered telepaths) and then exploited them as weapons. Tetsuo himself is a poor candidate to host such abilities, we soon learn, as he begins to lash out at the world that once forced him to be weak.

Akira is about existence, the abuse of power, and the fallible nature of humanity. These themes are addressed under a veneer of fast, violent action and futuristic battles. Although the manga most likely features better characterzation than the movie, Akira is still a moving, worthwhile film. Tetsuo's descent into madness is reminiscent of Gollum's internal battle with the Ring (as portrayed in Peter Jackson's the Lord of the Rings). To compare the two films would be a stretch, but both feature important lessons about absolute power.

For lovers of anime, Akira is an entertaining, beautifully animated film that is sure to please. For fans of science fiction and philosophical movies, Akira will also be a good choice.

Even so, Akira is not perfect. It is dark, violent, and often disturbing. The confusing plot takes several viewings to comprehend fully.

Overall, Akira is a finely executed work that deserves its place in the varied timeline of film and anime history.








Rating:
Summary: Okay, not good, far from great....
Review: I didn't see this movie until about 3 years or so ago, and I will be the first to tell you, OVERRATED! This movie did not live up to the hype that I was expecting. First off, the plot is good, but from about the middle on just was, for lack of a better word, wierd. I don't think this should be the first thing people think when they hear the word Anime. The ending is soo strange that I made the decision to not see this again. The characters were also odd. To say the least you can do a lot better when it comes to anime, try Cowboy Bebop if you want a great anime (the show or the movie, they're both great!). Yes, 2 stars, and I'm still hesitant to give it even that many.

Rating:
Summary: don't listen to those 1 star fools...
Review: Akira... what can i say? it's simply amazing. most people who hate the story are just to stupid to understand it. they want it put on a plate for them and spoonfed...yeah TRY THINKING!!! this is stunning animation at it's very very best. buy it at once. you wont be annoyed with the choice if u have at least half a brain cell (1 star reviewers im looking at you!!) have fun with this classic. coz like it or not, it is a classic.

Rating:
Summary: Slightly less than the Manga, and Different
Review: I read the epic manga of Akira first and got this for my birthday. For being an adaptation (even if it was done by the creater), I felt even with the changed parts from the manga, this was good. The dub, like most will agree, sucked; Japanese audio with English Subs is the best to go with most anime (unless it's Inu Yasha, both aren't that good but the Japanese sounds like he has a headcold).

For a synopsis, Old Tokyo is destroyed in 1988 (when the movie came out) and another World War begins with the Soviets and Americans going head-to-head (which we don't see). Tokyo is rebuilt over thirty years in Tokyo Bay on a manmade island where the movie starts (2019). The government is hated in this movie and we'll see anti-governmental members everywhere (including riots and terrorist bombings). Kaneda is the leader of a biker gang which goes around causing mayhem in the streets while fighting their nemesis gang, The Jokers. During their battle, Tetsuo (a friend of Kaneda who is put down often by him) is injuried when a small man walks out onto the road while his bike is driving by. The bike explodes and Tetsuo is taken by military medics to a hospital. Kaneda meets Kei, a member of an anti-government group, at a police questioning. Tetsuo is revealed to be a telekenetic and quickly gains power, seeking the mysterious Akira (who in the manga was actually a boy). During a raid, Kaneda and Kei meet Tetsuo with his new powers, seeing he's turned evil with his newfound powers. After a long and explosive track, Tetsuo reaches Akira to find him dead, only jars of organs (that ticked me off a little, I liked the little boy Akira). Several other psychics revive Akira to suck Tetsuo into another reality where a new universe is born and destroyed, consuming Tetsuo into it.

Changes from the Manga: Otumo takes out all of manga 3, which requires Akira to become a bunch of organs becuase at the end of Number 2, he destroys Neo Tokyo. This destruction and lack of government creates a load of clans and territories, the most known is The Japanese Empire, lead by Emperor Akira. I felt that Manga #3 was needed becuase Kaneda comes into the story as a chauvanist, cursing, antisocial, arrogant, egotistical biker but leaves less chauvanist (at least in my eyes) becuase he develops a romance with Kei, a real tomboy who seems to change his views on girls. In the anime, they only hint at a romance (mostly one sided with Kaneda making really bad pick-up lines or starting conversations that are less-than casual) and Kaneda leaves the same chauvanist, cursing, antisocial, arrogant, egotistical biker he started out as.

Overall-I think the dub and differences in the storyline were a disappointment but the overall movie was great, especially the dub-synch in Japanese (the mouths ACTUALLY move with the words!). Four stars!