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Summary: Gotta get back... back to the Samurai Jack
Review: Samaurai Jack is an oddly wonderful cartoon series from Cartoon Network and Gennady Tartakov (of Dexter's Lab fame). It is like nothing you've ever seen on television before.
The textures and care that have gone into producing visuals are really remarkable in that they combine a faintly Japanese theme with the very deliberate pacing of a Kurosawa film. For a somewhat violent action cartoon, there is a lot of silence: long stretches in which there is no dialog. The violence is stylized, the characters are fresh. In the series, episodes have developed strong moral themes (including morally ambiguous themes), pastiched various film styles, and all this while wildly entertaining any four year olds hanging around the house.
The premiere movie sets the stage for all this and contains slight more dialog, on average, than most episodes. Still, it is amazing to watch. A revelation if you've not seen SJ before. Here's a disk you've got to own.
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Summary: This Is NOT Your Father's Animation
Review: SAMAURI JACK is a wonder to behold ... but perhaps not for the young in age so much as it is for the young at heart.The nameless child of a samauri warrior is scuttled away in the midst of a terrible battle with Aku, the force of ultimate evil in the universe. The child ages, and he is instructed in the ways of self defense by masters around the Orient. When he comes of age, he is led back to his mother, whom bequeaths to him the family samauri sword so that he may finish the task his father set out to do in ridding the Earth of Aku. However, just before the young samauri can complete his mission, Aku opens up a time portal, thrusting the warrior into the distant future where evil has already had hundreds of years to take up residence. Now, named Jack, the samauri meets up with the minions of Aku, mostly space aliens, robotic killer assassins, and just about anything the fertile imagination of a cartoonist can conjure up. Samauri Jack faces his first great battle against the technology of tomorrow and triumphs by using the honor of yesteryear. While SAMAURI JACK is an absolute wonder to behold, with startling animation cuts, flashes, pans, and fades, it's also ripe with the kind of violence not uncommon to video games in this day and age. Fully animated, it's a surprise that the Cartoon Network -- long honored as the resting ground the likes of Looney Tunes, Bugs Bunny, and more -- picked this up as the storytelling is rather adult (there are long sequences without a stitch of dialogue) and relatively violent (yes, even for a cartoon). But the story is captivating as Jack goes about his search through the land of tomorrow in hopes of finding a route back to the past ... where he can vanquish the evil Aku before Earth is destroyed in the process. A truly wonderful work of animation.
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Summary: Two dimensional zen.
Review: SAMURAI JACK is a show for adult men who like the thrill of the fray. This show rocks. The entire series should be on disc, and I'm sure it soon will be. These exploits of a samurai warrior banished to the future by an evil demon are nothing short of rock solid entertainment. SAMURAI JACK is chock full of great stories, superbly original animation, and cooly kinetic action that most major film releases lack. This dvd release contains the pilot 'movie' episode and comes with some interesting extras as well as the expected digital sound and picture, which, with a product such as this, makes for a sensory treat to be enjoyed repeatedly.
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Summary: One question...when's the next one coming?
Review: Samurai Jack is like an Asian Clint Eastwood. He's the baddest, coolest, most Zen-hip hero to come along in ages. My 5-year old kid loves him and so do I. All I want to know is, when's the next Samurai Jack movie? I want at least 3 sequels!
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Summary: Chock full of samurai goodness
Review: Samurai Jack is pure, cartoon action goodness. Very much an experimental work, it blends elements from Hollywood cinema, Japanese sword films, and classic animation into a seamless whole. There is literally nothing else quite like it out there. As another reviewer commented, Samurai Jack is the very reason why we have animation. The DVD format really shows the quality in this program. Many times, one is struck by the simple beauty of the animation used in this series, especially the backround images. And the sound design on the program is some the best two-channel sound design I have heard. The fantastic music and directional sound effects really underline the ambiance of this program. If you have a Pro-Logic or Pro-Logic II receiver, you are in for a real aureal treat with this disc. In addition to the premiere movie on this disc, you also get one of the best episodes of the ongoing series, Jack and the Scottsman! In short, if you enjoy the art of animation, this is a must-have DVD.
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Summary: Samurai Jack
Review: Samurai Jack is the most touching cartoon i've ever watched. He is so pure in heart i cry every time i watch the movie and episodes. I always wish i could reach out and hug him. I want the creators to know they make me have a permanent smile every time i watch Samurai Jack. I am so impressed i'm going to buy everything i can relating to Samurai Jack. I'm simply obssessed and addicted. It's the best thing that ever happened to the world of animation.
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Summary: As a Graphic Designer and Professor of Illustration
Review: Samurai Jack stands out as one of the most brilliant cartoons of all time. The color palette oozes will complexity and character. After reading some criticism of the graphic flat style of the film, I wonder if some even realize that it was intended that way for visual punch. Visually, I think Samurai Jack has reached a level of genius that has not been reached is a long time. I realize that the style may not suit some and that is their prerogative, but understand that this cartoon is extremely well thought out.
I do agree with some criticism that it is VIOLENT, and I probably won't allow my kids to see it until later. However, Cartoon network has never marketed it for a younger demographic. At the same time, I feel that it has a greater moral message than 97% of the [stuff]that Disney [puts]out....
The general storyline of Samurai Jack, albeit not terribly complex is eclectic and always refreshing. It has the consummate blend of humor, drama, and action.
All in all, this is a must have for andy art student at the University level that is interested in color theory, graphic design, painting, animation, or figure drawing.
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Summary: If you haven't seen this Movie, buy this dvd!!!
Review: Samuri Jack is the best cartoon on television right now. The episodes are cinematic and very artistic. There is deep symbolism, but the cartoon is entertaining for the action alone. The extra episode included with this dvd is also very good.
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Summary: Genndy Tartakovsky Rules!
Review: Since everyone else has given a summary of the DVD, I just want to give my impressions. We first saw a preview of Samurai Jack at the San Diego Comic-Con, July 2001, with Genndy Tartakovsky doing a question/answer session afterwards... everyone there was floored by how good this was, and it was shown on a large projection screen (not the greatest for clarity)! We were all salivating afterwards, looking forward to seeing more of Jack. Genndy is a true artist and genius, and it shows in every episode. If you haven't seen any episodes, you are in for a treat, especially the opening sequence of the first episode. That was sheer beauty and brilliance. I could watch that opening over and over and over... Genndy said how this was a dream of his, to do a samurai-type of cartoon, but with his own artistic flair. Luckily for us, Cartoon Network gave him free rein to do what his heart desired. I hope Genndy will be allowed to express his creativity for as long as he lives :-) .
Rating:
Summary: great animation
Review: stumbled onto samurai jack one night on TV and have been hooked since. unique storytelling, bizarre plots and some of the coolest animation around...very much looking forward to this release..check out the cartoon network to catch this show
youll get hooked too
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