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Jin-Roh The Wolf Brigade - Special Edition

Jin-Roh The Wolf Brigade - Special Edition

List Price: $59.98
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Rating: 5 stars
Summary: A wolf in sheep's clothing
Review: Jin-Roh is a tale of two lovers who never really like each other. They stay togather merely because, in their own eyes, the other is exactly want they want from life.

For Kei, it is to be remembered. To know that she shall not fade away, and cease to exist. For what is the point of existing at all if no one can remember who you are or what you did after you are gone?

But, in Fuse's eyes, Kei is another chance. Perhaps an option he knows that he can never choose. The life of a human, the love of a woman, who he himself killed. He never truly see's Kei as herself, but more as Nanami, her supossed sister, whom he watched blow herself up during the first half hour of the movie.

No one can just see this movie once, and suddenly have a solid knowledge of what it is about, and how it is proceeding. Every detail is important, every moment, every second, every scene.

People fail to realize that. The background characters are not merely a side population, they are part of the cast and crew. Without them, gaps of the entire story would be left missing.

As the movie poster so imfamously says, A wolf in sheep's clothing is still a wolf. Consider this as you see every character interact, for it is not only those amongst the Wolf Brigade that bare fangs.

Rating: 3 stars
Summary: Beautiful movie - pitiful DVD quality.
Review: ....

The film can be considered a political drama of sorts, but to perceive it as only (or even primarily) that, does run you the risk of failing to engage in it's real emotional power - the story of the relationships between the main protagonists, which many might argue is the real point of the film. The story is beautifully told and carries a subtlety & sub-text that would most likely be lost on a younger audience, dealing with the nature of people & their ability or willingness to change their own function in life. This whole journey is explored through the relationship/s & (rather incredibly) compared to the story of Little Red Riding-Hood amidst the backdrop of the alternate reality of a dystopian Japan where the outcome of WWII was somewhat different ... There are many, many layers to this film - and while it might not be a film you could watch over & over, it has depth enough to keep you discovering new facets to the world, story & people involved that you are never at a loss to make new discoveries.

At it's simplest (or perhaps most complex), it's a love story.

So why have I only given this product 3 stars ..? Because clearly, when it came to transferring this film to DVD, Bandai Entertainment thought it prudent to deprive a village somewhere of [a not too bright person]before appointing him chief of staff at the quality control centre.

I purchased this DVD under the impression that it would be of a suitably high production standard that a film of this quality deserved - but was shocked ... when I actually started to watch it. ...- the colours on this transfer are HIGHLY washed-out & on many occasions the scenes are FAR too dark to see what's going on & even to the extent that much detail has been lost - regardless of how you manipulate your colour & contrast controls (and considering how many of this films scenes are set in dark & gloomy places, this is completely unacceptable & utterly distracting). And as if to intentionally pour salt into the wound, the accompanying documentary with this 'Special Edition' DVD (they got THAT right) shows footage of the film that is of SUPERIOR quality to the actual film on the main feature disc. The film is not unwatchable, by any means - especially if you are watching the film on a PC where you can adjust the contrast and lighting settings relatively easily in order to achieve reasonable picture quality (Of course, if you haven't seen the film before, you are less likely to be quite as horribly dissatisfied as I was). As far as I know, both of the U.S. Bandai Entertainment DVD releases of Jin-Roh contain the same video quality, although the audio of the special edition is possibly the best of any version out there. For all the added bonuses, the soundtrack CD & superior sound quality, you really should ask yourself if it's worth paying for this version when perhaps the most important thing - the video quality of the film itself is so noticeable flawed... If this DVD presents you with the only opportunity you'll have to see the movie, then buy it anyway - but bear in mind that you won't be seeing it as it deserves to be seen.

... At this time, I'm still looking for a DVD that does this film justice (and contains English subtitles - as I speak no Japanese or French). ... I hope this review of the Bandai DVD won't prevent any of you from seeing this remarkable film.

Rating: 5 stars
Summary: Philosophical and Enthralling
Review: Jin-Roh encapsulates the key components of a quality film by successfully incorporating philosophical and psychological to enrich content and character.

Albeit, Jin-Roh may be slow in terms of action sequences, the main point of the film is not shells, artillery, and gore, but rather it's about the more poignant and serious facets of life such as betrayal, duty, deception, and sacrifice. Very few anime that I have seen are able to weave such a well presented package without becoming too "deep" or confusing.

If you are looking for a more mature piece of anime minus the outlandish eye candy, which is proliferate in this genre, Jin-Roh will make a terrific addition to your library.

Rating: 4 stars
Summary: Delicious plot twists
Review: The film is set in a fictional Japan. In its alternative history a paramilitary police force, known as the "Capital Police Force" (CPF), was created to put down civil unrest that developed in response to harsh economic policies instituted by the government following WWII. However unlike Tokyo's existing, local police force, the CPF utilizes military-style armor and weapons. Apparently some portion of the CPF, known as the Wolf Brigade, really does consider itself to be more wolf-like than human. This is due to their mission, which involves stalking their prey and using lethal force to bring it down, instead of trying to apprehend criminals and bring them to justice. The CPF's military-like tactics causes a portion of the civil unrest to organize, and a terrorist group is born, known as "The Sect".

Fast forward to the present. As it turns out, the government's harsh, yet aggressive economic policies have worked. The economy has been stimulated to the point that unemployment has shrunk drastically, and most people are happy with the government. "The Sect" is now a marginalized, fringe group, and there is less and less need for the CPF. Consequently the local police force would like to drive the nails into CPF's coffin, whereas the CPF is fighting tooth and nail to preserve itself.

Our hero, "Kazuki Fuse" (a rookie in the CPF), stumbles into this mess when he has an opportunity to prevent a terrorist from setting off a bomb, but doesn't. All he has to do is shoot the terrorist, but she's just a teenage girl, and he can't bring himself to do it. He is sent back to boot camp as punishment, but he's haunted by memories of this young girl blowing herself up. He later visits the site where her ashes are interred, and it's there that he meets and becomes involved with her sister.

This "emotional weakness" on the part of Kazuki Fuse works its way into the turf war, and much of the plot centers on the question, "Is Kazuki Fuse a wolf, or is he not?" There are many well-done plot twists, so just when I thought I could answer this question, it became obvious that I was wrong. And then things would twist again!

And oh, the animation was beautiful...

Rating: 2 stars
Summary: Agonizingly Slow and Convoluted Plot
Review: I finally managed to sit through this anime after the 3rd attempt and still found myself fast-forwarding sections of the movie. I truly wanted to like this movie once I heard that it was written by the director of Ghost In The Shell, one of my favorite animes.

The opening sequences of Jin-Roh kept me interested in how Fuse, the protagonist, might come to terms with his involvement in the death of a young girl. But the as the plot starts unfolding, it just ends up being a convoluted mess. I couldn't empathize with any of the main characters, who were either frustratingly non-communicative or just spoke in metaphors to explain themselves.

Kudos for art direction and excellent voice acting, but story is dissapointingly weak which ruined it for me.

Rating: 2 stars
Summary: Big. Fat. Yawn.
Review: What a paralysingly dull, underwhelming, tedious and long-winded film. The animation is above par, to be sure, but the plot is nonsensical and the characters almost repugnantly lackwitted and completely uninteresting. Avoid, or forever lament those many missing minutes of your life.

Rating: 5 stars
Summary: Incredible.
Review: This is the most amazing movie I have ever seen. It is not just an animation, it is a beautiful piece of artwork that is more emotionally touching than any other film I have ever seen. Everything about this movie is amazing; the artwork, the beautiful soundtrack, everything. Please do yourself a favor and watch this movie, it will change your life.

Rating: 5 stars
Summary: Required viewing for all movie fans.
Review: You know a film is excellent when the first 10 minutes evokes an emotional response like no other. Jin-Roh does it.

This is a retelling of Red Riding Hood, based in a terrifying parallel Japan. There is civil unrest everywhere, and the only means of putting it down is through violence. Jin-Roh is not a family film; it is ultimately depressing and the violence is graphic. But this film needs to be seen by a huge audience. The artwork, music, and characters are all excellent. And even though action is not abundant in this film, the plot's dark telling will hold you tight until the end, and in the final seconds of the film, you'll be speechless until the credits disappear.

Jin-Roh has a special place in my heart as one of the finest films ever made, anime or not.

Rating: 5 stars
Summary: Beautiful
Review: I will simply put it thus: The best movie I have ever seen.

Rating: 5 stars
Summary: HEY, BEST MOVIE
Review: First off...WATCH THE MOVIE MORE THAN ONCE, then maybe youll get it. This is the best anime movie ever (besides princess mononoke)!!!! the conflict of it is kinda hard to get s o ya have to watch it more than once. but once you get it, its GREAT!!!


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