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Reviews
Môsô dairinin (2004)
Another Classic in the Vein of 'Perfect Blue'
Paranoia Agent is very obviously the work of Satoshi Kon, the creator of Perfect Blue. It's dramatic, bizarre, downright creepy in some aspects, and very, very engaging.
Centering around the lives of the victims of a golden bat wielding, roller blading delinquent called Shounen Bat (translated as Li'l Slugger in the American series), the series is initially coherent and addictive, but towards the end becomes convoluted and confusing. It is my opinion that the series was meant to characterize the nature of paranoia and illustrate its destructiveness (which it did, from the first episode on).
Despite Paranoia Agent's difficult concept and volleying central characters (each episode has a new main character, though the central focus of the show is undoubtedly paranoia itself), it's intense, scary and a rush just to watch.
Samurai Chanpurû (2004)
Anime with a Different Beat
Most people come into Samurai Champloo thinking it's going to be another Cowboy Bebop-esquire anime. But while it has many similar elements, the story line, character direction and over-all feel of the show are completely different from that of Shinichiro Watanabe's masterpiece.
Samurai Champloo, despite its few serious tones, is fairly light-hearted and very comical. We follow Mugen, Jin and Fuu from Edo to Nagasaki, encountering several prominent figures not only from the Feudal Era of Japan, but also popular Japanese television (Episode 8, for instance). Unlike Cowboy Bebop, the show centers around the three main characters rather equally, and the episodes do not dwell so much on their individual histories so much as their progress.
Perhaps the most stunning element of the series is their sometimes subtle and sometimes not so subtle incorporation of hip hop culture into the music and themes of each episode. From Mugen's break-dancing style of fighting to beat-boxing heralds to old-school tagging, it's not only comical but engaging to see something so culturally diverse blend seamlessly (and very, very humorously) with the Edo Period.
All in all, the series is very enjoyable, kind of a joyride or breath of fresh air in its uniqueness and ingenuity. The characters are fun and energetic, the music...well, don't even get me started on the music, and the animation, like its cousin, is flawless. Highly recommended on this end. Nine out of ten.
Fantastic Four (2005)
Good Enough For What It Is
I can't say that I'm particularly fond of comic-book-cum-movie films such as the Fantastic Four, but I can say that, for what it's supposed to be, it's fine. So let me say this right out: if you're looking for something to do on the weekend, by all means pay eight bucks and enjoy this entertaining film. If you're looking for something that will alter your life, blow your mind or inspire you with its clever banter, save your money, you'll be disappointed.
Spoilers Galore, below.
To be honest, there were only a few problems that stood out to me during the movie. Firstly, it is almost entirely exposition. By the time it's established exactly what is going on (about the same time I was ready to die before hearing another allusion to their individual super powers), they're battling the main villain and poof!, it's over.
Secondly, the character development leaves nothing to the imagination and character progression is non-existent. Each character ends up close to or exactly the same as they started out. Johnny Storm is funny for the first seven (hundred) jokes, but after a while you start to wonder if there's anything beneath that hot-headed (an actual line from the movie) exterior (although Chris Evans is just hot, in general) (ahem). There was a lot of unsubstantiated character turn-arounds (Ben's 'I'm Going to Trust the Guy I Hate Instead of My Best Friend' speech) (Debbie's 'I can't be married to a freak' moment) and, although it does move the story along a bit quicker, if one of the characters had died, I would have been surprised, but unmoved.
On the other hand, the movie had impressive special effects and make-up. The fight sequences were well-done, and the plot progression came off loud and clear. No one gets left behind in this movie. And although there are a few holes (if Doom was going about blowing holes in everyone, why didn't he just blow a hole in Johnny?, for instance), it was fun and pretty entertaining. If it's your thing, you'll probably enjoy it. If it's not your thing, there's probably something you'll like the next couple theaters over.
Verdict: Script was lacking. Movie was entertaining. The sequel will be better.
Troy (2004)
Convoluted, but Nonetheless Entertaining
Troy, more aptly described as 'The Legend of Achilles' is an epic, action-packed film depicting the Trojan War (duh) and the Fall of Troy (since one couldn't get this from the title). Amidst the tanned, shirtless beauties (Bloom, Pitt, Bana), the lovely, extra-squwishy sound effects, the booming, patriotic music and the exquisitely volatile characters, the movie proves to be anything but drab. However, this can be either good or bad upon interpretation.
On an acting level, Troy holds its own; Brad Pitt as Achilles accurately plays an unsympathetic character quite literally born to kill, just as Orlando Bloom plays an immature, rash and otherwise pathetic (I'm not biased...) Paris to teeth-griding, fist-shaking degree. Eric Bana as Hector was moving in his honor and passion --character motivations were, for the most part, clear and aptly described. And while some of the roles (Helen) were complex-speech-impaired, I remained completely consumed, intensely involved and otherwise entertained for the whole of the movie.
So why aren't I rejoicing in the magic that is Hollywood's interpretation of Homer's epic? Simple. The film had too much conflicting emotion. The overall feeling of sympathy was pitted towards Troy in the first fifteen minutes, by depicting a) the Greek ruler Agamemenon (argh) as a heartless, sarcastic and overbearing King, b) casting good-looking boys like Bloom and Bana as Troy's leading men and c) putting just enough emphasis on Hector to make one feel much, much more sympathetic for him more than Achilles will ever muster. It was certainly disheartening for me to sit through the film's entirety waiting for my favorite characters to die.
But the conflict does not end there; certainly, while Achilles may be likable in his brutish, sullenly compassionate nature, I never got enough emotion from him (though this did not seem to be any fault of Pitt's). Indeed, he had just shifted from an almost entirely static character to showing some depth right before he (psuedo-spoiler) died. I question why, if Achilles is the hero (or anti-hero) and most certainly the main character, did the director gather such a sympathy for Troy which Achilles ultimately had a hand in destroying? The world will never know.
However, despite the obvious conflicts with the original tale (ten years into two weeks was a dramatic, but effective, theatrical choice), the somewhat convoluted emotional volleyball and the death of any and all characters worth living save one, the movie did please me in its intensity, drama and stark, but sweet, romance, and I wouldn't mind seeing it again. Not too bloody, not too sappy and certainly not too shabby, Troy was exactly what I expected it to be, no more and no less, stocked with thoughtful characters in an enticing look at Ancient Greece. And hey, if the story doesn't lead you in, the cast list definitely will.
The Four Feathers (2002)
Moving
I am not terribly fond of war-centered films, but the Four Feathers rises as an exception to this --the visuals are breathtaking, the characters filled with passion, and the story, emotionally-wrenching and powerful.
As I have never viewed an earlier version of this film I have nothing to compare it to --I do know that the mood swings it sent me through (hysterical tears, unblinking silence, tension, pity, joy and relief) are signs that the Four Feathers is not without intensity. The film clearly displays themes of love, honor, loss and friendship, as well as the effect war has on these primary relationships.
I also became immensely interested in the relationships between the characters, such as Harry (Ledger) and Abou's (Hounsou) complex friendship originating solely from Destiny. Even the personalities meant to serve comical purposes had their moment to shine; the actors, though certainly not British (but I could hardly tell), got the emotions and motives of the characters through effectively.
All in all, while perhaps not the best war movie available, and certainly not the greatest movie of all time, the Four Feathers proved itself thought-provoking and powerful. The whole "I laughed and cried" story applies here; if in need for a tale of honor and love matched with magnetic characters and fantastic cinematography, this could be something to look into.
Sen to Chihiro no kamikakushi (2001)
Animated Poetry
Once again, Studio Ghibli has not failed to please --winner of countless merits from New York to Tokyo, Sen to Chihiro no Kamikakushi, or Spirited Away, is a visual joyride, breathtaking in its imagination, and enchanting in its story.
Not unlike Alice in Wonderland or the Wizard of Oz in its own ways, Spirited Away is something of a fairy-tale about a young girl called Sen who is mysteriously transported into the world of the Gods. In fact, the translation of the original Japanese title means 'Sen and the Mysterious Dissaperance of Chihiro'. Sen's journey is what Americans would refer to as an unconventional look at a classic fairytale, and what the Japanese refer to as a spectacular view at history and religion. It is, indeed, both simultaneously.
I enjoyed the movie for its innovation, its humor, and the sheer brilliance and color of its art. As an artist, I certainly appreciate the ornate animation --from pants zippers to antique vases, no detail is neglected, no scene overlooked. The music, composed by Jo Hisaishi, is heartfelt and expressive. If I watched it for one detail in the entire movie alone, it would still be just as entertaining.
Spirited Away cannot be overlooked as 'just another anime'. It is animated poetry, history, religion, comedy and magic in an hour and twenty-five minutes.
Take your kids, take your parents, take your dog for God's sake! It's an amazing film that has lived on in my heart and will continue to do so for years to come.
Escape from Atlantis (1997)
Less than What I'd Hoped For...
While the overall idea of Escape from Atlantis was intriguing, I found the film to be far less than what I had hoped for upon reading the plot summery. Perhaps I am too much of a child in the technological age: the movie was made, as it is now 2002, an official five years ago --after viewing fantasy epics such as Lord of the Rings, and science fiction feats like Star Wars, as a whole it could not compare to other movies of similar line such as Dinotopia or Homer's The Odyssey.
My beef, basically, is that I couldn't relate --I am just about the same age of the children (a young adult), and have no trouble putting myself in the place of a middle-aged man if that is the character available. But the picture did not take me to a different mental plain of existence. I didn't find myself saying 'ACK! I would have done the SAME thing!'. It did not open the doors to my imagination. Even without comparing it to high-budget films or other TV movies, standing alone, certain aspects of the feature I found to be cliche: The character development in the children occurred too rapidly for my liking, seeing too much of the stereotypical selfish-teenager-bitter-after-divorce image changing into the we're-a-big-happy-family-let's-never-separate-again feel that can ultimately make or break a picture in the long run. Even the characters themselves could have undergone improvement: a typical set of one or the other stereotypes. There was the ever-present selfish beauty looking to be rebellious, accompanied by Mr. Perfect image of combining athletics, good looks and intelligence yet a brooding attitude, and lastly the smart-aleck little brother we find to be so common these days. While I know the personalities pushed the story along, I think that adding more individuality as far as nuances and more unique differences would have made it a more enjoyable --and believable (as far as character)-- movie.
I do have to raise my glass to the costume and set design --that made it worth finishing to the end for me. Don't get me wrong: all movies are worth seeing for yourself, and the opinion of one could never account for the opinion of many, but I think that with a little more depth to the script, and a little more (I cannot believe I am saying this) realness I dare say Escape from Atlantis could have been magical.