Watching the movie was a bit like a roller-coaster ride. The entire movie is one really long, action packed, colourful, adrenaline-fueled, shrill and loud drag race for your brain - which is the movie's main strength, as well as its most prominent weakness.
There is (unfortunately) little explanation concerning the characters, the locations and the entire story... but seriously, if you want action, you care little about the story, right? Or do you? At least you are being told that it is taking place in a different galaxy.
As mentioned, the movie is visually rather stunning and I really had to watch some sequences in slo-mo, otherwise it's really hard to keep up with everything happening there.
In terms of presentation it sort of reminds me of "Heavy Metal (1981)", but just here and there. Most of the time it's your good Japanese anime. The characters are rather shallow and the end is - without giving too much away - rather unfitting. Seriously? "Death Race" with a lousy love story? Which, IMO belittles enjoyment greatly, because it does not further the story, nor does it make any sense - at least to me.
I second the notion that you should watch in on a big screen, volume up to 11. So, if you want some in-your-face crazy action, grab a serving of popcorn, gulp an energy drink, or two, and enjoy the ride. Not a brilliant movie, but better than your average anime.
There is (unfortunately) little explanation concerning the characters, the locations and the entire story... but seriously, if you want action, you care little about the story, right? Or do you? At least you are being told that it is taking place in a different galaxy.
As mentioned, the movie is visually rather stunning and I really had to watch some sequences in slo-mo, otherwise it's really hard to keep up with everything happening there.
In terms of presentation it sort of reminds me of "Heavy Metal (1981)", but just here and there. Most of the time it's your good Japanese anime. The characters are rather shallow and the end is - without giving too much away - rather unfitting. Seriously? "Death Race" with a lousy love story? Which, IMO belittles enjoyment greatly, because it does not further the story, nor does it make any sense - at least to me.
I second the notion that you should watch in on a big screen, volume up to 11. So, if you want some in-your-face crazy action, grab a serving of popcorn, gulp an energy drink, or two, and enjoy the ride. Not a brilliant movie, but better than your average anime.