Akira
It may well have been all the painkillers I was on when I was watching this film, but something tells me that the entire plotline was mostly incomprehensible. As with some other anime I've watched, I think I only understand about half of what went on at the end. Still, the movie has an unbelievably cool premise and simply astonishing animation. My grade: B
Synopsis: Kaneda is a bike gang leader whose close friend Tetsuo gets involved in a government secret project knowned as Akira. On his way to save Tetsuo, Kaneda runs into a group of anti-government activist, greedy politicians, irresponsible scientists and a powerful military leader. The confrontation sparks off Tetsuo's supernatural power leading to bloody death, a coup attempt and the final battle in Tokyo Olympiad where Akira's secrets were buried 30 years ago. (via Imdb)
Director: Katsuhiro Otomo (Steamboy)
Writers: Katsuhiro Otomo (Metropolis) and Izo Hashimoto
Stars: Voices of Mitsuo Iwata ("Initial D"), Nozomu Sasaki (Samurai X: Trust), Mami Koyama (Millennium Actress), Tatsuhiko Nakamura, Fukue Ito, Taro Ishida (Metropolis)
Useless Trivia: At one point in the 1990s, Sony contemplated a live-action version of the film, but scrapped the idea when the projected budget went north of US$300 million.
Synopsis: Kaneda is a bike gang leader whose close friend Tetsuo gets involved in a government secret project knowned as Akira. On his way to save Tetsuo, Kaneda runs into a group of anti-government activist, greedy politicians, irresponsible scientists and a powerful military leader. The confrontation sparks off Tetsuo's supernatural power leading to bloody death, a coup attempt and the final battle in Tokyo Olympiad where Akira's secrets were buried 30 years ago. (via Imdb)Director: Katsuhiro Otomo (Steamboy)
Writers: Katsuhiro Otomo (Metropolis) and Izo Hashimoto
Stars: Voices of Mitsuo Iwata ("Initial D"), Nozomu Sasaki (Samurai X: Trust), Mami Koyama (Millennium Actress), Tatsuhiko Nakamura, Fukue Ito, Taro Ishida (Metropolis)
Useless Trivia: At one point in the 1990s, Sony contemplated a live-action version of the film, but scrapped the idea when the projected budget went north of US$300 million.
7 Comments:
If it's any consolation, I don't think the people who MAKE anime have any idea what it's supposed to mean. "We've got metaphysical babble! We've got silly philosophy! We've got convoluted and twisted references to western religion! Huuurrrr...isn't this a powerful ending?"
The thing with Akira is that the movie was made before the story was finished, hence perhaps why it doesn't make that much sense when standing for itself (the movie was made when only about half of the manga was out, with all the need to avoid spoilers that this implies). In any case, I'll agree that it's nice to watch, but better not try to understand!
You know, I should finally see that movie.
Try reading the manga serialization... which will answer many of your questions (and raise others!). It's beautifully illustrated and brilliantly written. Though the themes are similar to the film, there's a level of politics and religion that adds fantastic depth to the story.
Another Otomo favorite is "Domu" which would make a great movie.
How can you give the best anime ever written a B? you need to rethink your grading scale. I am shocked and chagrined. Maybe you watched the new version I dont know.
I agree with Dave ... you got to read the manga for the story, then watch the anime.
Well I didn't understeand what it meant either...and I thought that was part of its charm! Hoo rah for less clearly defined plot lines!
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