Anyone that knows me knows that I'm not the world’s biggest anime fan. It's not that I have anything against it...it's just when going to rent movies, I very rarely rent them. It just isn't what catches my eye. Add to the fact that this is the sequel to a movie which I've read is horrible, and it's a miracle that I rented this in the first place. It's even more amazing that I love it so.
There are so many wonderful things about this movie...first off, we'll start with the title character. Here we have the vampire version of Eastwood's Man with No Name. D is the ultimate bounty hunter. (One with vampire blood in his veins and a cross-sword). He is also at war with himself about his nature and what he should do. Best of all, his left hand talks to him, and is quite often very funny.
While we're talking about characters, I'll touch upon those that I really liked. First off, we have the Markus Brothers. They are a family of vampire hunters, and each has his unique weapon a style. All are pretty well fleshed out as well, but one stands out as the coolest. (See the spoiler paragraph below for more on that) The Markus Brothers provide for the great horror trend of "who will die next", and for once, (as it is used as a side-show), I really like that.
WARNING: "Grove" spoilers below
That character is Grove, who is young, ailing, has white hair and almost grey skin. What's awesome is that he is the most powerful of all the Markus Brothers. He injects himself with some sort of drug, and then proceeds to kill vampires with his soul. Tell me that isn't awesome.
Aside from the Brothers, we have Meier Link, a powerful vampire who kidnaps the daughter of a noble family. What's wonderful about him is his character is fleshed out wonderfully, and isn't a one dimensional villain.
WARNING: "The Kiddnapping" spoilers below
In fact, he isn't a villain at all. He is constantly fighting his ugly nature, and is deeply in love with the girl he kidnaps. In fact, the girl loves him too. My favorite scenes in this film are those between the lovers. They have a clean love here which is entirely pure, and I love them for it. Imagine the purest love from any Disney movie and you'll have some idea what I'm talking about. (Except this is much greater). This is where the film truly shines.
The real villain of the film is so very vile, I have to love it...but I don't feel like typing spoilers on that.
Aside from the characters, the film is BEAUTIFUL to behold. This here is some of the best animation I've EVER seen.
The musical score does everything it should, adding to chills and thrills whenever needed.
The only thing that isn't perfect in this movie (for me at least, as I realize that there are some things that might not go as well with other people...it's just that this film gave me exactly what I wanted to see when, so, like The Name of the Rose before it, it rises to the top of my personal favorite films ever. Others, I'm sure, will find it merely awesome or not even that, so…but now I'm off topic), is the dialogue, which (in certain scenes as I've mentioned earlier), is either really intentionally funny, touching, or bland anime talk. The coolness of some of the dialogue and the drabness kind of level each other out, so I really didn't feel one way or the other in the end. It doesn't really matter, because my feelings for the rest of the film are so great that I love it no matter what.
All in all, a ***** out of *****. (The highest level of films reserved only for the absolute classics and my very personal favorites.)
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"I'm mad as hell, and I'm not going to take it anymore!" - Howard Beale
"I'm mad as hell, and I'm not going to take it anymore!" - Howard Beale
Last edited by Beale the Rippe; 02-22-04 at 09:02 PM.