Huzzah.
I'm jumping on the bandwagon here for personnel review threads but for a good reason. I am in awe of some people's reviewing skills which have inspired me to try my own. It is an act of idolisation of those works.
Considering I've only done one review before, a small one on Ed Wood I will probably not be up to scratch as others here.
I'm also incredibly slow so won't be a prolific reviewer, probably once a month or so.
My ranking is experimental at the moment.
Ranking used so far:
-- Film has thought-provoking moments.
-- Not impressed, not reviled.
Here's my first attempt at a full review......
Appleseed, is a film based off of a popular comic series written by Masamune Shirow, who was also the creator of Ghost In The Shell. An Anime of morality, terrorism and human nature in a near future Utopian city.
The story follows in the wake of world war three, which decimated human civilization and scattered the remnant survivors of the universal war. The haphazard remains of various governments in retrospect of the war's cause and effect constructed a lifeline city, that encompassed a perfect existence, Olympus.
This Utopian city is administered and mostly populated by Bio-droids. They come from the combined efforts of science, engineering and health in the creation of artificially created Human/Robot hybrids. They are considered perfect beings, apt denizens of an equally untainted civilization.
The history behind WW3 is never truly discussed, we are only left with the results of those arising from its ashes. Instead the focus is on the society that has sprung from it and how humanity copes within its confines.
This Utopian society, which is heavily monitored by the administration is on the outset an idealistic existence but beneath this facade of perfect living lies an undercurrent of unrest and dissent from its inhabitants. Quite a few of whom had lived outside the borders of Olympus until being 'rescued' and interned into the city. The transition as shown in the first scene is not always a straight-forward jump from one extreme to another.
For some this wondrous life is nothing more but a 'gilded cage' where people's freedoms are sacrificed in return for this totalliarium and Care-free existence. These people have lived among st the ruins of war and have grown accustomed to having a certain level of freedom of choice. In Olympus their choices are then usurped to such a degree that to them they are not living at all.
Dwelling in this supposed impeccable city are multi-faceted and multi-layered characters whose motivations and characteristics are not always quite clear-cut at first. Dunan and Buliarous, two s.w.a.t cops who were rescued from outside the city, represent the good side. Tracking down the terrorists who intend to de-throne the Bio-droids of their power. A super-computer called Gaea that runs a majority of the city.
The other characters are not as easily defined. Karon, also a member of s.w.a.t is one of those doubting motivators. We are given a reason to feel sorry for him right at the beginning when he becomes witness to his wife purposely tumbling to her death, unable to cope with her caged existence within this Matrix-esque perfect city. We are lead to like him and to route for Karon in some way because of this tragedy he was witness to and the subsequent nightmares he has had to endure, but as the plot develops, Karon's role further in the story tests this empathy and sympathy.
Appleseed is more then just a pleasant tale with terrorism thrown in. It delves into human nature and how by are nature we are not necessarily content with a simple and pre-planned existence. It prescribes that even though the sought for perfectionism of life is something most everyone wishes to attain, it is not what we want in the end. Once the necessity to struggle is no longer there, there is no longer purpose. We thrive on purpose. Humanity is undeniably thrusting beyond its boundaries and Appleseed tries to show us, this aspect of ourselves.
There are a number of flaws to this stable Anime. The characters though well-rounded enough are not that completely detailed, that we could fully understand their reasoning for what they do. There is also no definite bad guy here, which for those who like their bad-guy, bad, may well find disappointing.
Appleseed was also originally a Manga from which, like Akira is a far more weighty affair then its Anime counterpart. So it must be considered that the plot has been considerably convoluted down from its source. It is impossible to cover the whole spectrum of plot detail in one two hour film. I have yet to read the Manga but from experiences with Akira I know that alot would have to be sacrificed to produce the film. Manga and Anime are too completely different experiences.
However don't let that put you off seeing Appleseed, the film is perfectly acceptable as it is but for those intrigued by the area's not covered or left incomplete do check them out anyway. Although experienced Anime fans may find Appleseed far too tame and mediocre.
The animation also looks a bit dated by today's standards. Considering this film came out about the same time as Akira whom still retains some admiration for its animated look. Despite this, the scenery is nice and simple, portraying the false outward unblemished city as simply that. A pleasant camouflage backdrop of the underlying terrorism and anarchy sect. Yet this can also be construed as laziness by the animators. The animation does not catch the eye as, say, the other Shirow Anime conversion, Ghost In The Shell.
Appleseed would be a reasonable introduction to any inductee to the Anime genre. Unlike other representations of its ilk, it is not overly gratuitous nor violent but the theme of terrorism especially in the current climate may not be suitable for those highly sensitive to that subject.
It must be remembered that Anime is an adult Japanese cartoon medium. Just like any adult movie but using animation in replacement of on-screen actors. Appleseed is a tame Anime by standards though, no busty half naked women here.
I found this a fascinating and deceptively complex film. The plot has so many underlie-rs that it makes for more then a menial movie experience then first appears. However I am not a fastidious fan, having seen it once, I have to be in the mood again to watch Appleseed, I count it as a standard but deceptive film that has it's moments of appeal but it is not one that instills awe in me.
Please do give Appleseed a go though, for some it may be an interesting but ultimately un-riveting encounter but it does open up for debate on the morality issues involved and as a film accomplishes the pre-requisites of a beginning , middle and end. It is not the best Anime has to offer and possibly not the ideal film to pay full price for either, but for anyone interested in the genre then this would be a good film to rent instead.
Appleseed in the end leaves quite a bit of the plot in obscurity and more questions then answers, but as a staple Anime it is entertaining enough and doesn't get too complicated on the surface that it would leave its viewers greatly miffed.
I'm jumping on the bandwagon here for personnel review threads but for a good reason. I am in awe of some people's reviewing skills which have inspired me to try my own. It is an act of idolisation of those works.
Considering I've only done one review before, a small one on Ed Wood I will probably not be up to scratch as others here.
I'm also incredibly slow so won't be a prolific reviewer, probably once a month or so.
My ranking is experimental at the moment.
Ranking used so far:
-- Film has thought-provoking moments.
-- Not impressed, not reviled.
Here's my first attempt at a full review......
Appleseed (1988)
Directed By: Kazuyoshi Katayama
Writing: Kazuyoshi Katayama / Masamune Shirow (comic)
Origin: Japan
Ranking:
Appleseed, is a film based off of a popular comic series written by Masamune Shirow, who was also the creator of Ghost In The Shell. An Anime of morality, terrorism and human nature in a near future Utopian city.
The story follows in the wake of world war three, which decimated human civilization and scattered the remnant survivors of the universal war. The haphazard remains of various governments in retrospect of the war's cause and effect constructed a lifeline city, that encompassed a perfect existence, Olympus.
This Utopian city is administered and mostly populated by Bio-droids. They come from the combined efforts of science, engineering and health in the creation of artificially created Human/Robot hybrids. They are considered perfect beings, apt denizens of an equally untainted civilization.
The history behind WW3 is never truly discussed, we are only left with the results of those arising from its ashes. Instead the focus is on the society that has sprung from it and how humanity copes within its confines.
This Utopian society, which is heavily monitored by the administration is on the outset an idealistic existence but beneath this facade of perfect living lies an undercurrent of unrest and dissent from its inhabitants. Quite a few of whom had lived outside the borders of Olympus until being 'rescued' and interned into the city. The transition as shown in the first scene is not always a straight-forward jump from one extreme to another.
For some this wondrous life is nothing more but a 'gilded cage' where people's freedoms are sacrificed in return for this totalliarium and Care-free existence. These people have lived among st the ruins of war and have grown accustomed to having a certain level of freedom of choice. In Olympus their choices are then usurped to such a degree that to them they are not living at all.
Dwelling in this supposed impeccable city are multi-faceted and multi-layered characters whose motivations and characteristics are not always quite clear-cut at first. Dunan and Buliarous, two s.w.a.t cops who were rescued from outside the city, represent the good side. Tracking down the terrorists who intend to de-throne the Bio-droids of their power. A super-computer called Gaea that runs a majority of the city.
The other characters are not as easily defined. Karon, also a member of s.w.a.t is one of those doubting motivators. We are given a reason to feel sorry for him right at the beginning when he becomes witness to his wife purposely tumbling to her death, unable to cope with her caged existence within this Matrix-esque perfect city. We are lead to like him and to route for Karon in some way because of this tragedy he was witness to and the subsequent nightmares he has had to endure, but as the plot develops, Karon's role further in the story tests this empathy and sympathy.
Appleseed is more then just a pleasant tale with terrorism thrown in. It delves into human nature and how by are nature we are not necessarily content with a simple and pre-planned existence. It prescribes that even though the sought for perfectionism of life is something most everyone wishes to attain, it is not what we want in the end. Once the necessity to struggle is no longer there, there is no longer purpose. We thrive on purpose. Humanity is undeniably thrusting beyond its boundaries and Appleseed tries to show us, this aspect of ourselves.
There are a number of flaws to this stable Anime. The characters though well-rounded enough are not that completely detailed, that we could fully understand their reasoning for what they do. There is also no definite bad guy here, which for those who like their bad-guy, bad, may well find disappointing.
Appleseed was also originally a Manga from which, like Akira is a far more weighty affair then its Anime counterpart. So it must be considered that the plot has been considerably convoluted down from its source. It is impossible to cover the whole spectrum of plot detail in one two hour film. I have yet to read the Manga but from experiences with Akira I know that alot would have to be sacrificed to produce the film. Manga and Anime are too completely different experiences.
However don't let that put you off seeing Appleseed, the film is perfectly acceptable as it is but for those intrigued by the area's not covered or left incomplete do check them out anyway. Although experienced Anime fans may find Appleseed far too tame and mediocre.
The animation also looks a bit dated by today's standards. Considering this film came out about the same time as Akira whom still retains some admiration for its animated look. Despite this, the scenery is nice and simple, portraying the false outward unblemished city as simply that. A pleasant camouflage backdrop of the underlying terrorism and anarchy sect. Yet this can also be construed as laziness by the animators. The animation does not catch the eye as, say, the other Shirow Anime conversion, Ghost In The Shell.
Appleseed would be a reasonable introduction to any inductee to the Anime genre. Unlike other representations of its ilk, it is not overly gratuitous nor violent but the theme of terrorism especially in the current climate may not be suitable for those highly sensitive to that subject.
It must be remembered that Anime is an adult Japanese cartoon medium. Just like any adult movie but using animation in replacement of on-screen actors. Appleseed is a tame Anime by standards though, no busty half naked women here.
I found this a fascinating and deceptively complex film. The plot has so many underlie-rs that it makes for more then a menial movie experience then first appears. However I am not a fastidious fan, having seen it once, I have to be in the mood again to watch Appleseed, I count it as a standard but deceptive film that has it's moments of appeal but it is not one that instills awe in me.
Please do give Appleseed a go though, for some it may be an interesting but ultimately un-riveting encounter but it does open up for debate on the morality issues involved and as a film accomplishes the pre-requisites of a beginning , middle and end. It is not the best Anime has to offer and possibly not the ideal film to pay full price for either, but for anyone interested in the genre then this would be a good film to rent instead.
Appleseed in the end leaves quite a bit of the plot in obscurity and more questions then answers, but as a staple Anime it is entertaining enough and doesn't get too complicated on the surface that it would leave its viewers greatly miffed.
__________________
'My mind is full of stars....'