Skip to main content

The Animated Addict: "Akira" (1988)


The Animated Addict is back with a review of possibly one of the MOST influential animated movies of ALL time- 1988's "Akira".

Years after the mysterious destruction of most of Tokyo, a new city- Neo-Tokyo has grown around the ruins of the old city.  Rebellion is becoming an every day event, and bike gangs wage turf wars throughout the streets.  During one such skirmish, Tetsuo- a member of the Capsules is injured.  Before his friend Kaneda can get him to a hospital, the military shows up and spirits the injured Tetsuo away.  As he seeks to find out what happened to his friend, Kaneda gets involved with a rebel plot... and learns that his closest friend may in fact be his biggest threat...

"Akira" is the film that opened the Western World completely to anime and Japanese pop culture.  The story has influenced movies from "Blade Runner" and "The Matrix" to even the Star Wars prequels, and "Inception"  It created an entryway into North American culture for world phenomenons like "Dragon B", Naruto", "Pokemon".

The story is based on a manga- though does diverge a fair bit in the latter part.  In fact, this anime encouraged me to seek out and read the original manga.  It's a tightly written, fast paced, and engaging story.  It smoothly melds sci-fi, action, and suspense into a truly entertaining ride.

And the animation... oh my fucking god!  The animation.  The Japanese animation industry has always been known for stunning visuals- and "Akira" does not disappoint.  Not at all.  There are fine details, phenomenal shading and lighting effects.  The backgrounds are just as amazing.  Everything from the small small rocks lifting up from the ground as Tetsuo using his abilities to the vibrant, electric city designs combine to create a visual treat for the eyes.

The characters are well crafted and developed during the course of the stories- and you come to like both the protagonists Kaneda, The Colonel, and even the antagonist, Tetsuo.  They are NOT your standard North American cartoon characters.  They are fully realized personalities that engage you in a mature fashion.

The English voice actors did a great job of dubbing the lines in a way that gets across the proper tone and emotion for the scenes.

I also really enjoyed the scoring for this movie as well.  It was unique and stood out from the normal stuff you'd find in an animated film.

I'm going to have to say that "Akira" is still a remarkable piece of animated cinema that stands the test of time.  I would certainly recommend watching it.  Without a doubt, it goes in "The Good".
Labels:

Comments

Post a Comment

Popular posts from this blog

#CocktailHour: Slushtail

  Summer approaches, inspiring thoughts of sunshine, backyard parties, and having a tip and sip with friends.  With that in mind, I bring you this week sunny beverage. To make a slushtail, mix a can of frozen orange juice, a can of frozen lemonade (or limeade), a can of pineapple juice, a couple cups of black tea (or English Breakfast), and two cups of bourbon- such as Southern Comfort, in a pitcher.  When it's all nicely mixed, put it in the freezer until it's a nice slushy consistency. Scoop the slush into a cocktail glass, and pour in some Sprite or 7-Up.  Add a little umbrella for some frivolous fun, and a straw. Voila!  Ready to enjoy. This is a very refreshing drink.  The fruit juices, Sprite, and bourbon- when chilled makes for a great punch-like drink.  The bourbon doesn't overwhelm juices.   In fact, they are all nicely balanced in terms of flavors.  The sourness of the citrus fruits contrasts well with the slightly sweeter Southern Comfort.  It was refreshing enou
Post a Comment
Read more

Unlock your fate with The Puzzle

When my dad wasn't working, building stuff or being my dad, he was making puzzles. It was a guaranteed way for him to unwind. So it was with great interest that I sat down to watch Italian filmmaker Davide Melini's award-winning short The Puzzle. You see, the mother in the five-minute film likes to relax with puzzles just like my dad. Unfortunately, her good-for-nothing son keeps harassing her for money. Losing herself in her favourite passtime, the mother soon discovers that completing this puzzle might unlock a nightmare. The Puzzle has been an official selection at more European film festivals than you can shake a stick at, and was voted Third Best Italian Film at the Rome International Film Festival in 2008. Having watched it, I'm not surprised. It's a tight little film that hits you hard in the final few seconds. You can tell Melini cut his teeth as an assistant director for legendary Italian filmmaker Dario Argento. But enough chit chat on my part. See if yo
Post a Comment
Read more

The Animated Addict: "The Adventures of Tintin" (2011)

If you're a 40 + white dude, like myself, you may remember a comic series called " The Adventures of Tintin ".  I know I remember them.  This series, dating back to 1929, got turned into a animated feature film by Steven Spielberg in 2011. After buying a model of ship called The Unicorn, teenaged journalist Tintin finds himself on adventure that will take him from the high seas, to the low deserts, and from the distant past to the present.  With his trusty dog, Snowy, by his side, Tintin uncovers a story connecting two men across the centuries.. . The story is really quite good.  It's well crafted, and high paced- with just enough slow moments to build and develop the world and the characters.  This is the sort of adventure story you'd find in the old serials of the 1930's and '40's.  In fact, it felt like it was the sort of tale that you'd find Indiana Jones undertaking.  I found myself swept up, and swept along as our hero swung from one e
Post a Comment
Read more