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I dont like Alice in wonderland either, perhaps thats the problem...

Back to my Onslaught of Reviews.

Princess Mononoke

A Prince of a dying clan of humans becomes involved in a war between the forest's animal gods and a proud town of humans who strive to develope the land. This Prince, who's name is Ashi-taka, meets the girl San who was raised by the wolf goddess Moro. San and all of the other animals of the forest seek to put the humans back in place by killing their leader, but it's harder than it looks...

This was probably the best out of the three anime movies I bought. Awesome artistry and details, plus the voice crew was beautifully selected (Gillian Anderson, Clair Danes, Billy Bob Thornton, Jada Pinkett Smith...) I saw it once when a friend loaned it to me, and after that I HAD to have it.

Akira

In Neo Tokyo, fifteen years after World War Three, a wild group of bikers and outlaw teens get into constant disputes with rival gangs. Of these boys is the leader of this group, Kaneda, and the boy who is always being saved: Tetsuo. But Tetsuo is sick of always being the one who gets rescued, and when the government begins experimenting on the injured boy, he gains supernatural powers that they find even they can't control. Aith his new abilities, Tetsuo moves out to find this mysterious person "Akira" and strikes out at the world who has apposed him... Including his childhood guardian Kaneda.

This one had me pretty confused throughout the entire thing. About fifteen minutes into the movie the first time around, I was completely lost. I watched it again, and then things started to make sense to me. It was gorgeous with it's detail, though, so after I had a few people explain some parts, I was relatively satisfied with the buy. I give it a two out of five, though I'm sure some people will disagree with me.

Perfect Blue

Mima, a Pop Idol in her successful band Cham, quits the music business to pursue a career in acting, which she herself has her own doubts about. One fan of the innocent Mima, however, feels that this sudden change of images in Mima has ruined the little girl he fell in love with. Mima's first role is in a sexually charged mystery series, which angers this fan to the point of obsessing over collecting Mima and putting her back together again. Paranoid illusions befall Mima as her friends and coworkers are murdered around her, and she must fight for her new career, as well as her own life.

Again, this was difficult to keep up with. It's genre is Horror/Drama area, and that fits it well. The vicious twist at the end is what completely grabbed me, though all of the sex and violence didn't make the DVD necessarily a good show to watch around kids. Watch out for this one if you're into the psycological thriller with a completely unexpected end type of animes.

Nice reviews, although I'll debate the Akira score. It was made in the 80's. So its kind of showing its age a fair bit. Perfect Blue is down right creepy isn't it.

Originally posted by Aqua-chan
Princess Mononoke

A Prince of a dying clan of humans becomes involved in a war between the forest's animal gods and a proud town of humans who strive to develope the land. This Prince, who's name is Ashi-taka, meets the girl San who was raised by the wolf goddess Moro. San and all of the other animals of the forest seek to put the humans back in place by killing their leader, but it's harder than it looks...

This was probably the best out of the three anime movies I bought. Awesome artistry and details, plus the voice crew was beautifully selected (Gillian Anderson, Clair Danes, Billy Bob Thornton, Jada Pinkett Smith...) I saw it once when a friend loaned it to me, and after that I HAD to have it.

You are absolutely right, AC, I had to buy it too! Will buy it again in DVD!
Still I'm always surprised about how people who appreciate Miyazaki's works,
usually ignore his masterpiece, the novel "Nausicaa of the Valley of the wind",
which I always compare to LotR in terms of majesty and scope.
(damn, I loved it more than LotR!)

Nobody else in this forum seems to know it, yet it's really one of the 3-4 books
in the world that everybody should read at least once IMHO
There's even an anime adaptation, but the american version was cut (and altered! names, title..),
anyway this is basically more meant for kids, and the story is extremely simplified
(yet the landscapes alone would be worth it )

Originally posted by Littiz
You are absolutely right, AC, I had to buy it too! Will buy it again in DVD!

I liked the artwork in Princess Mononoke, and the complex exposition that created at least four or five sides (depending upon how you looked at it) in conflict. But the resolution was a cheap means of closing things out quickly: everyone goes off happy, even the guy who actually engineered the destruction of the god of the forests, and nobody seems to particularly care.

One other thing that really bothered me: the stupid boyfriend of one of the leaders of the female group. Played strictly for the lowest laughs possible, with grotesque expressions, crossed eyes, and bumbling mannerisms. I never knew the Japanese secretly were followers of the Jerry Lewis cult. I shall do an exorcism for them.

Still I'm always surprised about how people who appreciate Miyazaki's works,
usually ignore his masterpiece, the novel "Nausicaa of the Valley of the wind",
which I always compare to LotR in terms of majesty and scope.
(damn, I loved it more than LotR!)

Nobody else in this forum seems to know it, yet it's really one of the 3-4 books
in the world that everybody should read at least once IMHO

Is there an excellent English translation of this work available? What are the outstanding features of this book that make it better than nearly everything else, in your opinion? How does it compare, in plot, characterization, writing style, etc, to LotR?

Originally posted by fable
But the resolution was a cheap means of closing things out quickly: everyone goes off happy, even the guy who actually engineered the destruction of the god of the forests, and nobody seems to particularly care.

Apart from the instant regrowth of the forest I did actually like this abit. In any other movie that guy would have been beaten up by the hero a number of times before accidentialy being consumed by the corpse of the forest god, Saving the hero from the responsibility of killing him but still fullfilling that "all evil must be purged in the end" thing. That he walks away without a scratch is an improvement imo. Also I like that the Hero and Heroine split up aswell as the statement in the end: "Lets build a new and better iron town".

One other thing that really bothered me: the stupid boyfriend of one of the leaders of the female group. Played strictly for the lowest laughs possible, with grotesque expressions, crossed eyes, and bumbling mannerisms. I never knew the Japanese secretly were followers of the Jerry Lewis cult. I shall do an exorcism for them.

Agree here though, its horrible.

Apart from the instant regrowth of the forest I did actually like this abit. In any other movie that guy would have been beaten up by the hero a number of times before accidentialy being consumed by the corpse of the forest god...

Oh, I don't mind him getting away. I just object to the fact that "everybody wins," except, of course, the forest god. Nobody seemed to care what the treacherous god-slayer had done, even the the god's followers--a sure sign to me that it was time for a quick wrap-up, with people acting out of character.

Hrm... You have me convinced.

Nice reviews, although I'll debate the Akira score. It was made in the 80's. So its kind of showing its age a fair bit.

I knew somebody would disagree with me. After all I heard about how people raved over Akira, I guess my expectations were quite a bit high. I had NO idea what it was about when I purchased it, and I think if I had gotten a little more information on it, I would have reconsidered the buy. I'm happy that I spent only 20 dollars on the regular movie instead of investing another ten in getting the Special Edition.


Perfect Blue is down right creepy isn't it.

It really had me going: it was hard to tell what parts were the real events, or what was being recorded on show... Which, of course, was the point. So it gets full points there.

I like horror flicks, which is why I bought Perfect Blue in the first place. I liked it quite a bit.


You are absolutely right, AC, I had to buy it too! Will buy it again in DVD!
Still I'm always surprised about how people who appreciate Miyazaki's works,
usually ignore his masterpiece, the novel "Nausicaa of the Valley of the wind",
which I always compare to LotR in terms of majesty and scope.

Never heard of Nausicaa. Princess Mononoke was the first thing I've ever heard of from Miyazaki, so I had no idea he wrote books. I may have to check it out a little when I have time.


But the resolution was a cheap means of closing things out quickly: everyone goes off happy, even the guy who actually engineered the destruction of the god of the forests, and nobody seems to particularly care.

I overlooked that without realizing it. Now that you mention it, the movie did kind of stop quickly with an abrupt end.

I think it was different that the short monk actually did survive, which normally wouldn't happen in any other movie if this had been the case. And I doubt that Whats-Her-Name who leads Iron Town would have just changed in a click like she did, but how long were they really supposed to drag the storyline out? I suppose they had to put an end to the conflict like that or else we'd be left wondering...

Like I said, I didn't notice until Fable pointed it out.

Glad to see my dear AC keep this anime going while I was tied up with lots of DL *hug & smooch @AC

@Tamerlane : Check "Ghost in the Shell" for more thrilling anime if you don't find Akira good enough

@fable : i think there's anime titled Nausicaa - dunno if that's the same though.

Originally posted by KidD01
Glad to see my dear AC keep this anime going while I was tied up with lots of DL *hug & smooch @AC

It's my obsession. I came all the way back to SYM just to get this old thing breathing again.

Ok, for the die-hards out here...

FLCL: Furi-Kuri! this is siomple... Genious...

Originally posted by KidD01
@Tamerlane : Check "Ghost in the Shell" for more thrilling anime if you don't find Akira good enough

Oh, I've seen it more then once before. Ode is a real big fan of it, I'm just waiting for those damn animators to finish with the second one. *sigh*

I don't know if this has been said before in this thread, and if it has, then pardon me because the thread was too long to read through all of it. Anyways, Cowboy Bebop the movie, titled "Knocking On Heaven's Door" is coming out in the US during this summer. Sorry if this is old news to hardcore anime fans, but just wanted to let everyone know.

I've just finished Cowboy Bebop today, and I must say it is one of the, if not the best, anime I've seen so far in my life. I was very moved, and this is the first anime that made me cry at the end.

Originally posted by Tamerlane
Oh, I've seen it more then once before. Ode is a real big fan of it, I'm just waiting for those damn animators to finish with the second one. *sigh*

I'm not surprised if Ode is a big fan on GiS, Kusanagi Motoko looks real hot there

@humanflyz : Seen it. I planned to makl whole coverage on CB but I haven't find enough resource of the pic yet

I still haven't seen Cowboy Bebop yet, I'm fascinated by the Macross Plus series at the moment. Will see it eventually though, naturally

Originally posted by fable
everyone goes off happy, even the guy who actually engineered the destruction of the god of the forests, and nobody seems to particularly care.

I understand this can be criticized, but it's pretty common in Miyazaki's works..
Anyway in Nausicaa, such things are better motivated (the time of a movie doesn't allow it)

So, I can't resist giving a complete answer about it!
First, I should clarify that I'm speaking 'bout a graphic novel. I was unclear, forgive me.
But please don't consider it a comic! This is a different thing, the only element of its genre.
It has been even studied in an university course in the States (probably for its themes about
Nature and Man).
For yes, there is an american translation, Amazon has it. I've heard it's pretty well done,
though the format of the page isn't as huge as the original. In italian, due to an uncommon
flow of events, there are two translations, one is extremely rare.. (I have both ).

It is a beautiful book, which brings the world and the characters it speaks about directly
to you, as a movie could do, but as for a book, you can procede slowly, reflect, imaginate!
I could classify it as a sci-fi/fantasy story, but that wouldn't do it justice.
As for LotR, the background is original, complex and detailed as it can be, though such "deepness"
in this case is made mostly by "untold" things.. There are the pictures of course, that often seem
like beautiful paintings, and the richness of the details may be missed at the first reading.
You learn by yourself all the differences between populations, the kinds of Giant Insects, the
imponence of the Toxic Forest..
You have to read the pictures, you can't just see them and pass by.
So you get used to the world, to the things characters do, and to the instruments they've built
for themselves, or received intact from their past.
Anyway, the strong points are the characters, and the story.
Both are probably a bit unrealistic, but they become true while you read.
You become very close to characters, for me, way more than it happened with LotR.
The main weakness of LotR, then, is the plot itself. It is well told, and LotR is made great
by countless elements, but the main plot isn't that great (it isn't even meant to be, IMHO).
A powerful ring, evil against good, corruption, battles..
While the plot in Nausicaa (the REAL plot, not the one in the anime) ..well, I can't spoil it.
You just end feeling like the characters, knowing not how to judge, what will happen or when,
and why the story is told at all, but the climax won't leave you for a moment, it just rises and
rises for about 1000 pages...
And mostly, and I really mean it, it is a sad, gentle, moving story.

I feel particularly attached to it, 'cause I discovered it by accident in a bad moment
of my life, worsened by my atheism that was causing me fears and augmenting the feel of
overall futility of our lives.
Believe it or not, some lines spoken close to the end by the protagonist (she too is
an "atheist"..) have had a significant role in changing the way I saw things.

Hey, probably I'm over-estimating it, or it is simply something tailored perfectly to my likings,
so well, try it and judge yourself
About the anime version: it's totally different, it just takes a short part of the story and
makes it complete. It is basically for kids (tragic events and the constant gloom are absent, language's easier)
and anyway it's best seen after having read the novel, otherwise you'll surely tend to vastly
underestimate what you could find in it (thinking it's something like a cartoon made into comic!)
Hmm, thought I could post a pic taken from the official site..

I'll be damned here's another, a battle scene...

Since you're probably considering me a complete madman (which would be an accurate analysis anyway )
I paste one of the reviews found on Amazon's site.
There are many of this tone, but this one summarizes my opinions well:

A stunning achievement
I mean this quite literally. When my good friend introduced me to Nausicaa, I dropped everything else and drank in volumes one and two (all he had) the first day. He is now a dearer friend still than he was before. I didn't think it was possible, but volumes three and four are even better and more profound than the first two. I knew the first day that I had found a new literary classic, on par with the greatest works (Tolkien, Dostoyevsky, Lewis) the human psyche has brought forth into the world, and ordered my own version (the 4-volume boxed set) the evening of my initiation. Miyazaki's characters wrestle with life and its problems as surely as Ivan and Alyosha Karamazov or Raskolnikov, and their resolution is probably the most moving ending I have encountered during my 22 years on earth. The world is as believable (and hauntingly beautiful) as Middle-earth. The religious/spiritual underpinning, as a previous reviewer noted, is what sets these works above all others. In sum, Nausicaa should be read by everybody, and God willing the world would be a better place.

..though I have to admit I haven't read Dostoyevsky or Lewis.. will do
Ok,ok, enough with my promoting

Back to the anime subject, is it true that a sequel for Ghost in the Shell will be made?

Yes, there is a sequel to Ghost in the Shell. It is called "Ghost in the Shell: Stand Alone Complex" and it will run as a limited 26 episode series. The official website is here

Since it is still running in Japan, it will be some time before it will be licensed for distribution. However, it is available on Kazaa. I already have the first 8 episodes and they are excellent. Both the story and animation are top-notch. I particularly like the way that Major Kusanagi has been rendered in the new series, both artistically and psychoemotionally.

As an aside, I am just finishing the Escaflowne series and I have to say that my initial impression of the series has held true. While the story, plot, and character development were all excellent, I was not that impressed with the series. I think part of this was because I initially watched the dubbed version and both Van and Hitomi seem overly adolescent. Hitomi in particular seemed whiney and annoying in the first episodes, a situation that improved markedly when I began watching the series in Japanese. While I was impressed with the sophistication of the series, it never captured me emotionally and I really never felt bonded to the characters in the same way that I did with Utena, Chobits, Blue Seed, or even Kite. Just my two cents.