After many years in development, Alita: Battle Angel was released earlier this year as a live-action adaptation of the manga by Yukito Kishiro as well as the previous 1993 OVA. Many were hoping that this would be the film that "saved anime movies," based on the efforts of James Cameron and Robert Rodriguez. So, how much did the film make during its domestic run? About $85 million in 85 days, roughly half its $170 million budget.
For frame of reference, "Avatar" had made well over $700 million domestically by the same point in its in initial run; and "Titanic" had also crossed $450 million by that time in its release before inflation. I acknowledge that these were all released in different times in cinematic history; and that this movie has at least made some of its money back internationally. Still, as someone who's resisted talking about this movie ever since it started being promoted; I thought I would give my first viewing thoughts ahead of a full review. Keep in mind that this is just my initial thoughts; and I am still formally retired from doing recaps for the most part. So, here we go.
First, I shall state this movie thankfully isn't the disaster I was worried it would be; but it'a also not the masterpiece that many of its defenders have claimed either. Like a fair amount of movies released in a given year, it merely exists to me for the most part. The story (which Cameron co-wrote alongside Laeta Kalogridis of Netflix's "Altered Carbon") adapts the first four volumes of the "Battle Angel Alita" manga, with some elements from later volumes and the 1993 OVA as well.
The basic plot follows the titular Alita (Rosa Salazar) as she tries to find her place in the world, while also fighting hostile androids in a post-apocalyptic landscape. Although the idea behind the story fascinates me (as stories exploring humanity in the machine age often do), the execution is not what I was hoping for.
I mean, this movie may not be in the same category as the godawful Dragonball Evolution and 2017 Ghost in the Shell or the hilariously-bad Netflix Death Note; but what I'm saying may surprise some of you. The casting may not be as big a sticking point as it was in those movies, but I again submit it's the least of the issues this film has with characters. I would even go so far as to suggest that while some characters keep their original names such as Vector (Academy Award Winner Mahershala Ali) and Chiren (Jennifer Connolly), others like Hugo (Keean Johnson) and Dr. Dyson Ido (Academy Award Winner Christoph Waltz) are so different from Yugo and Dr. Daisuke Ido that they're essentially totally new characters, rocket-axe be damned. I also understand this isn't a new way of translating characters either. It's the same reason why Yugi Moto keeps his name, but his bestie is Joey Wheeler and not Jonouchi Katsuya here; and why most people know Pikachu is a universal name, but his partner is called Ash Ketchum and not Satoshi here.
I digress: this movie has a lot going on the story; and while this isn't the worst screenplay adapted from a Japanese IP I've seen, it's also clear that adapting the equivalent of hundreds of pages of manga may have been a bit much for a single two-hour film. I mean, even most American comic book/superhero movies don't adapt every single story that's ever been published for their screenplays! Yet, one constant I do hope for anime and manga adaptations is that they start to get better after wading through all the years of crap.
Still, it was a bit bullish to suggest this film would do better than it did; and though it's not the complete trainwreck that I was worried about it being, it did not save anime movies if the box office numbers are any indication. Though international earnings have helped stop things from being a total wash (especially in China), I personally don't think it was a domestic disappointment because people found it "too weird." Quite the opposite: it may have been because people found it "not weird enough."
I mean, in an age where audiences regularly embrace the bonkers content from Marvel Studios and the tongue-in-cheek dark comedy of the Deadpool films; this movie may not have stood out as much as others thought, even with Rosa Salazar's CGI eyes. It also doesn't help that despite the best efforts of the film's defenders; I never really shared their enthusiasm. I will get into more detail in my full review, but to keep it brief: I felt this to be an incredibly average film that is another one that succumbs to the "John Carter" effect. Despite the influence of the source material, the manga's influence has spread so far that the film ironically borrows from many of the movies the original "Gunnm" inspired since it was first published.
As a result, it doesn't really look like a film from Cameron or Rodriguez. It doesn't feel like the story I read. It's not the worst anime and manga adaptation I've ever seen, but it's also far from the movie I would personally want from this material. So, no, this movie definitely did NOT save anime movies if the box office numbers are any indication. While the $404 million worldwide take is respectable, it's still a bit short of the $500-550 million the film needed just to break even. I honestly don't know how the proposed sequels will pan out with this in mind. I'd be more open to a soft reboot for digital streaming (maybe on Disney+ or Hulu, as of the recent Fox buyout).
I will get into more detail with my full review of this movie later on, so check back soon for my look at 2019's Alita: Battle Angel!
Tuesday, July 9, 2019
Wednesday, May 15, 2019
Pokémon Detective Pikachu Volt Tackles a New Opening Record!
The summer movie season is officially underway, with many films aiming to be the next big hit. While Marvel’s “Avengers Endgame” has earned its third consecutive weekend at #1 with a gross of $63.2 million; pushing its domestic total alone past $700 million; another film had a very strong second to capture a record of its own: “Pokémon Detective Pikachu.”
Opening on the weekend of May 10, the film grossed $54.4 million on its $150 million budget, handily trouncing much of its competition. Third place went to the con artist comedy “The Hustle” at $13 million, with holdovers including “The Intruder” at $7.2 million and “Long Shot” at $6.2 million. The remaining new releases were the comedy “Poms” at $5.2 million and the biopic “Tolkien” at $2.2 million.
In a single weekend, the film has managed to not only join the ranks of the highest grossing video game adaptations ever; but also make more in its opening weekend than many other ones have in their entire runs. The film has finally broken the long-standing record held by 2001’s “Lara Croft: Tomb Raider.” As for films adapted from anime and manga series, the film has also outgrossed the entire runs of flops such as 2008’s “Speed Racer,” 2009’s “Dragonball Evolution” and the 2017 remake of “Ghost in the Shell.” It has also nearly doubled the 3-day opening weekend of this year’s “Alita: Battle Angel,” and has received relatively positive reviews from critics and audiences (64% Fresh Rotten Tomatoes rating as of this writing).
While the franchise has had success in film before (the first three anime movies made quite a bit of money despite being critically-reviled), the success of this installment has generated further talk of more adaptations being made in the near future. With nearly $170 million worldwide from its opening weekend alone, “Pokémon Detective Pikachu” has “volt tackled” a new opening record for video game movies. Whatever lies ahead for the franchise going forward (an all-CGI remake of “Mewtwo Strikes Back” is set for release in Japan this July), let’s hope that it’s a big enough hit to keep exploring this live-action world of Pokémon.
Opening on the weekend of May 10, the film grossed $54.4 million on its $150 million budget, handily trouncing much of its competition. Third place went to the con artist comedy “The Hustle” at $13 million, with holdovers including “The Intruder” at $7.2 million and “Long Shot” at $6.2 million. The remaining new releases were the comedy “Poms” at $5.2 million and the biopic “Tolkien” at $2.2 million.
In a single weekend, the film has managed to not only join the ranks of the highest grossing video game adaptations ever; but also make more in its opening weekend than many other ones have in their entire runs. The film has finally broken the long-standing record held by 2001’s “Lara Croft: Tomb Raider.” As for films adapted from anime and manga series, the film has also outgrossed the entire runs of flops such as 2008’s “Speed Racer,” 2009’s “Dragonball Evolution” and the 2017 remake of “Ghost in the Shell.” It has also nearly doubled the 3-day opening weekend of this year’s “Alita: Battle Angel,” and has received relatively positive reviews from critics and audiences (64% Fresh Rotten Tomatoes rating as of this writing).
While the franchise has had success in film before (the first three anime movies made quite a bit of money despite being critically-reviled), the success of this installment has generated further talk of more adaptations being made in the near future. With nearly $170 million worldwide from its opening weekend alone, “Pokémon Detective Pikachu” has “volt tackled” a new opening record for video game movies. Whatever lies ahead for the franchise going forward (an all-CGI remake of “Mewtwo Strikes Back” is set for release in Japan this July), let’s hope that it’s a big enough hit to keep exploring this live-action world of Pokémon.
Friday, May 10, 2019
Pokémon Detective Pikachu (2019) First Viewing Thoughts.
Hey fellas, it's been a while. So, I just got back from Pokémon Detective Pikachu. Here are my thoughts from my first viewing. The film is based on the Nintendo 3DS video game “Detective Pikachu,” and while there are some creative liberties taken; the basic plot remains the same: a young man named Tim Goodman (Justice Smith) has come to Ryme City to search for his father Harry; who went missing, presumed dead prior to the events of the story. Teaming up with the titular Detective Pikachu (voice of Ryan Reynolds), the two seek to uncover the truth about what happened while also trying to unravel a greater conspiracy that could threaten the entire Pokémon world.
Rather than attempting to cram roughly 23 years of video games and well over 1,000 episodes of TV into a single 104-minute movie, director Rob Letterman and the other screenwriters have instead chosen to focus on a story that would be logistically easier to work with the medium of film rather than against it. This choice initially raised eyebrows when the film was announced; though some skeptics were won over when promotion began this past November. It helps, because both video games and anime have had very rocky track records in live-action movies. For the former, every guilty pleasure like the first Mortal Kombat or 1989’s The Wizard has been far outweighed by infamous flops such as 1993’s Super Mario Bros. or most of Uwe Boll’s work. The latter has seen both chintzy-looking low-budget dreck such as Dragonball Evolution and snazzy-looking big-budget dreck such as the 2017 remake of Ghost in the Shell. Even this year’s version of Alita Battle Angel only made back about half its budget domestically, making prospects for its planned sequels uncertain. So, how does this film fare for both?
Well, I am glad to say that this movie not only meets my lofty expectations as a lifelong fan; but is also the first truly great live-action adaptation of both mediums. I will definitely talk about how I feel, but I will do my best to keep things relatively spoiler-free. That can wait for a full review when the movie comes out on DVD, Blu-ray and digital platforms. (Note: while I am still mostly retired from doing recaps; I will still try to post something once in a while even though I'm not doing this with the same frequency I used to.)
Though the movie is first and foremost a family-friendly effects-driven action comedy, I am somewhat surprised at some of the content in the film. While this is the first film in the series to have a PG rating in wide release (not counting DTV movies or Fathom Events), this does remind of the days when it meant parental guidance was not merely suggested; but highly recommended. Kind of reminds me of something in the vein of early Spielberg/Lucas/Zemeckis blockbusters, which is what I wanted ever since I saw the first and second movies in the theater as a kid.
On that note, if someone were to ask me if it might be too dark for younger kids; my reply would be that it’s just the right amount. If today’s kids can handle a typical Star Wars or Marvel Studios movie, they’ll most likely be able to handle this one. As I have pointed out before, there is precedent in the numerous anime movies in the series as well as the 1986 Transformers movie and the first two 1990s TMNT movies. Still, while it is fun; there are plenty of risqué jokes. There’s definitely some real danger and high stakes: the movie opens on a pretty freaky Mewtwo rampage and people die.
I mean, there was a good mix of people my age who have been fans from day one; and the next generation of young fans in the screening I attended. The film is very much as advertised: one part “Who Framed Roger Rabbit,” one part “Blade Runner” and on the whole, like a PG-rated version of the “Deadpool” movies (and not just because of Reynolds’ performance). Yeah, I feel great saying that I enjoy both bonkers movies about colorful pocket monsters and Hard-R movies about foul-mouthed Canadian antiheroes.
Visually, the film is spectacular. When I first heard about the Pokémon being rendered in realistic CG, I was expecting like in “Super Smash Bros.” or “Pokkén Tournament,” but they went all out with the film’s $150 million budget. The Roundhouse fight is like a fusion of the Rancor scene in Return of the Jedi, the Bonesaw fight in the first Spider-man and the Hulk vs Thor fight in Thor Ragnarok. The film features at least 54 of the 809 (and counting!) Pokémon, many of which are used in some pretty creative ways (I laughed really hard at the beatboxing Loudred, for example). The design of Ryme City is also a great mix of the European architecture of London with a more neon-lit “Far East” style in the vein of Gotham City in Batman Forever (in a good way).
Rather than attempting to cram roughly 23 years of video games and well over 1,000 episodes of TV into a single 104-minute movie, director Rob Letterman and the other screenwriters have instead chosen to focus on a story that would be logistically easier to work with the medium of film rather than against it. This choice initially raised eyebrows when the film was announced; though some skeptics were won over when promotion began this past November. It helps, because both video games and anime have had very rocky track records in live-action movies. For the former, every guilty pleasure like the first Mortal Kombat or 1989’s The Wizard has been far outweighed by infamous flops such as 1993’s Super Mario Bros. or most of Uwe Boll’s work. The latter has seen both chintzy-looking low-budget dreck such as Dragonball Evolution and snazzy-looking big-budget dreck such as the 2017 remake of Ghost in the Shell. Even this year’s version of Alita Battle Angel only made back about half its budget domestically, making prospects for its planned sequels uncertain. So, how does this film fare for both?
Well, I am glad to say that this movie not only meets my lofty expectations as a lifelong fan; but is also the first truly great live-action adaptation of both mediums. I will definitely talk about how I feel, but I will do my best to keep things relatively spoiler-free. That can wait for a full review when the movie comes out on DVD, Blu-ray and digital platforms. (Note: while I am still mostly retired from doing recaps; I will still try to post something once in a while even though I'm not doing this with the same frequency I used to.)
Though the movie is first and foremost a family-friendly effects-driven action comedy, I am somewhat surprised at some of the content in the film. While this is the first film in the series to have a PG rating in wide release (not counting DTV movies or Fathom Events), this does remind of the days when it meant parental guidance was not merely suggested; but highly recommended. Kind of reminds me of something in the vein of early Spielberg/Lucas/Zemeckis blockbusters, which is what I wanted ever since I saw the first and second movies in the theater as a kid.
On that note, if someone were to ask me if it might be too dark for younger kids; my reply would be that it’s just the right amount. If today’s kids can handle a typical Star Wars or Marvel Studios movie, they’ll most likely be able to handle this one. As I have pointed out before, there is precedent in the numerous anime movies in the series as well as the 1986 Transformers movie and the first two 1990s TMNT movies. Still, while it is fun; there are plenty of risqué jokes. There’s definitely some real danger and high stakes: the movie opens on a pretty freaky Mewtwo rampage and people die.
I mean, there was a good mix of people my age who have been fans from day one; and the next generation of young fans in the screening I attended. The film is very much as advertised: one part “Who Framed Roger Rabbit,” one part “Blade Runner” and on the whole, like a PG-rated version of the “Deadpool” movies (and not just because of Reynolds’ performance). Yeah, I feel great saying that I enjoy both bonkers movies about colorful pocket monsters and Hard-R movies about foul-mouthed Canadian antiheroes.
Visually, the film is spectacular. When I first heard about the Pokémon being rendered in realistic CG, I was expecting like in “Super Smash Bros.” or “Pokkén Tournament,” but they went all out with the film’s $150 million budget. The Roundhouse fight is like a fusion of the Rancor scene in Return of the Jedi, the Bonesaw fight in the first Spider-man and the Hulk vs Thor fight in Thor Ragnarok. The film features at least 54 of the 809 (and counting!) Pokémon, many of which are used in some pretty creative ways (I laughed really hard at the beatboxing Loudred, for example). The design of Ryme City is also a great mix of the European architecture of London with a more neon-lit “Far East” style in the vein of Gotham City in Batman Forever (in a good way).
In many ways, the movie deconstructs the core concept of the franchise; then puts it back together in a way that makes a great foundation for future live-action movies in the series (a sequel is currently in development from the writers of “22 Jump Street”).
That’s not to say the movie is totally without joy. Quite the opposite in fact: it’s honestly one of the most fun experiences I’ve had in the theater this year. This isn’t like that infamous fan trailer, which everyone but me liked. In fact, if I was asked what I would want a darker; live-action Pokémon movie to be; this is closest to what I had in mind. I honestly hope this does well enough to make more movies in this vein. Whether or not they use existing material or make new stories, I welcome it. That’s all for now, carry on.
Friday, April 19, 2019
Lone Wolf and Cub Author Kazuo Koike Dies at Age 82.
Kazuo Koike, the author of the landmark manga Lone Wolf and Cub has died at age 82, from complications related to pneumonia. The story has been adapted many times over the years; and remains influential to this day. Koike also worked with Takao Saito on the acclaimed Golgo 13, and students of his Gekiga Sonjuku course include Ranma 1/2 creator Rumiko Takahashi.
I wish the best for Koike's colleagues, friends, and family at this difficult time. May he rest in peace.
I wish the best for Koike's colleagues, friends, and family at this difficult time. May he rest in peace.
Tuesday, April 16, 2019
Lupin III Creator Monkey Punch dies at age 81.
It is with great sadness that I report the passing of Kato "Monkey Punch" Kazuhiko, who has died of complications related to pneumonia at age 81. He was the creator of the highly-acclaimed Lupin III series, which remains influential to this day.
As I rewatch my favorite film starring the character, "The Castle of Cagliostro," I wish the best for his family, friends and coworkers at this difficult time. May he rest in peace.
As I rewatch my favorite film starring the character, "The Castle of Cagliostro," I wish the best for his family, friends and coworkers at this difficult time. May he rest in peace.
Monday, December 31, 2018
Final Recap: Akira (1988)
Welcome to my final recap for this blog. of my favorite anime film and one of my all-time favorite movies: Akira!
We open on the surest sign of nuclear war, a silent explosion as percussion starts. The way the movie portrays Neo Tokyo as a decaying hell overrun by gangsters as well as a glitzy paradise of neon and technology, I can say 30 years later that Katsuhiro Otomo's vision of the future is every bit as impressive now as it was in 1988.
To me, it's not only as influential as Blade Runner, it captures teenage angst through the eyes of motorcycle gangsters Shotaro Kaneda and Tetsuo Shima in a manner as effective as any live-action film.
A chase with the Clown gang is intercut with a case of espionage involving a boy with wizened features named Takashi. As Tetsuo is caught in the crossfire, and the spy is reduced to a bloodstain on the pavement, it's one of the most dynamic openings I've ever seen; shattering any illusions about the medium being exclusively for children.
We then cut to the boys' vocational school, where Kaneda and the others are subject to some "physical education" while being reprimanded about their actions. I also note the way their lovers are dressed: while the movie does show how society rebuilds after World War III, they all look like extras in a Cyndi Lauper video.
Tetsuo gets out of the hospital and goes to see his friend Kaori, and after telling her about the experiments, decides to run away with her. They are then attacked by Clowns in the industrial area, and Kaneda helps drive them off! Tetsuo is not happy about this, but Akira's power causes him to hallucinate about falling and his innards spilling on the pavement!
The authorities then take Tetsuo back to their compound while the boys and their girlfriends explore the city. Kaneda then teams up with Kei to investigate what's happening. In another fight scene taken from the manga, there's an ambush in the sewers!
As Tetsuo is experimented on further, he has a dream about his childhood that ends in everything crumbling around him! He's able to shatter all the glass around him just by thinking about it!
A girl named Kiyoko, identified as "Number 25," has a vision that millions of people will die! Colonel Shikishima when she mentions Akira. They're told not to let Tetsuo go, and the Colonel goes to the deep freeze chamber where Akira is being held with Dr. Onishi. Colonel Shikishima then expresses disdain for the direction things are headed.
Back with Kaneda and Kei, another spy named Ryu locks Kaneda in the bathroom while they try to infiltrate the compound with help from their plant on the inside, Nezu. Kaneda witnesses the conversation, and offers to help them. As for Nezu's name: it fittingly translates to "rat" in Japanese.
We then see a demonstration in the streets, with people in ornate robes hoping for Akira's return. The budget meeting scene echoes the political strife Japan was having at the time, leading to an event known as the "lost decade." It may not have been intentional on Otomo's part, but now the 2020 Olympics are taking place in Tokyo for real, just like in the movie. The council then votes to rescind the Colonel's command, causing him to walk out in disgust.
Kei and Kaneda then slip into the compound disguised as custodians. Tetsuo hallucinates toys the size of buildings in his room, then realizes it's an illusion created by the Numbers! Cutting himself on some glass, he breaks out of his room and heads for the nursery.
In another scene from the manga, a shootout with some sentries leads to Kei and Kaneda stealing their hovercraft! You really get a great sense of speed from the way this chase is animated.
The Numbers try to send more toys after Tetsuo, but he sees through their illusions and demands to see Kiyoko! Kiyoko is able to speak telepathically to Kei and guide Kaneda to Tetsuo! Tetuso then recongnies Masaru and Takashi from the highway skirmish as his powers continue to escalate!
Dr. Onishi tries to talk Tetsuo down, but he will have none of it; demanding to see Akira! As the nursery crumbles around everyone, Kaneda confronts Tetsuo about what's going on; but Tetsuo has gone mad with power as he realizes where Akira is! He leaves everyone in the smoldering wreckage of the compound as the colonel realizes Tetsuo must be stopped before his powers mature.
Tetsuo returns to the tavern and kills the bartender, consuming large amounts of capsules as Yamagata and Kai look on in horror! Kaneda and Kei are being held by the military, where Kei reveals that Akira's ultimate energy will allow Tetsuo's full power to come to fruition! With Kiyoko's
We open on the surest sign of nuclear war, a silent explosion as percussion starts. The way the movie portrays Neo Tokyo as a decaying hell overrun by gangsters as well as a glitzy paradise of neon and technology, I can say 30 years later that Katsuhiro Otomo's vision of the future is every bit as impressive now as it was in 1988.
To me, it's not only as influential as Blade Runner, it captures teenage angst through the eyes of motorcycle gangsters Shotaro Kaneda and Tetsuo Shima in a manner as effective as any live-action film.
A chase with the Clown gang is intercut with a case of espionage involving a boy with wizened features named Takashi. As Tetsuo is caught in the crossfire, and the spy is reduced to a bloodstain on the pavement, it's one of the most dynamic openings I've ever seen; shattering any illusions about the medium being exclusively for children.
The animation here redefined the medium forever. The angles, the lighting, the way the characters move on the action scenes all make for a spectacular science fiction epic.
That's not to say the film is without humor, far from it: I always get a laugh out of the scene in the police station where a a would-be revolutionary is knocked out of his shoes by cops when his grenade is a dud.
As Kaneda flirts with a spy named Kei, it turns out there's another spy in the executive council, and the colonel in charge of operations is taken to an underground bunker where Tetsuo is being examined. Tetsuo is believed to have power similar to a being called "Akira!"
We then cut to the boys' vocational school, where Kaneda and the others are subject to some "physical education" while being reprimanded about their actions. I also note the way their lovers are dressed: while the movie does show how society rebuilds after World War III, they all look like extras in a Cyndi Lauper video.
Tetsuo gets out of the hospital and goes to see his friend Kaori, and after telling her about the experiments, decides to run away with her. They are then attacked by Clowns in the industrial area, and Kaneda helps drive them off! Tetsuo is not happy about this, but Akira's power causes him to hallucinate about falling and his innards spilling on the pavement!
The authorities then take Tetsuo back to their compound while the boys and their girlfriends explore the city. Kaneda then teams up with Kei to investigate what's happening. In another fight scene taken from the manga, there's an ambush in the sewers!
As Tetsuo is experimented on further, he has a dream about his childhood that ends in everything crumbling around him! He's able to shatter all the glass around him just by thinking about it!
A girl named Kiyoko, identified as "Number 25," has a vision that millions of people will die! Colonel Shikishima when she mentions Akira. They're told not to let Tetsuo go, and the Colonel goes to the deep freeze chamber where Akira is being held with Dr. Onishi. Colonel Shikishima then expresses disdain for the direction things are headed.
Back with Kaneda and Kei, another spy named Ryu locks Kaneda in the bathroom while they try to infiltrate the compound with help from their plant on the inside, Nezu. Kaneda witnesses the conversation, and offers to help them. As for Nezu's name: it fittingly translates to "rat" in Japanese.
We then see a demonstration in the streets, with people in ornate robes hoping for Akira's return. The budget meeting scene echoes the political strife Japan was having at the time, leading to an event known as the "lost decade." It may not have been intentional on Otomo's part, but now the 2020 Olympics are taking place in Tokyo for real, just like in the movie. The council then votes to rescind the Colonel's command, causing him to walk out in disgust.
Kei and Kaneda then slip into the compound disguised as custodians. Tetsuo hallucinates toys the size of buildings in his room, then realizes it's an illusion created by the Numbers! Cutting himself on some glass, he breaks out of his room and heads for the nursery.
In another scene from the manga, a shootout with some sentries leads to Kei and Kaneda stealing their hovercraft! You really get a great sense of speed from the way this chase is animated.
The Numbers try to send more toys after Tetsuo, but he sees through their illusions and demands to see Kiyoko! Kiyoko is able to speak telepathically to Kei and guide Kaneda to Tetsuo! Tetuso then recongnies Masaru and Takashi from the highway skirmish as his powers continue to escalate!
Dr. Onishi tries to talk Tetsuo down, but he will have none of it; demanding to see Akira! As the nursery crumbles around everyone, Kaneda confronts Tetsuo about what's going on; but Tetsuo has gone mad with power as he realizes where Akira is! He leaves everyone in the smoldering wreckage of the compound as the colonel realizes Tetsuo must be stopped before his powers mature.
Tetsuo returns to the tavern and kills the bartender, consuming large amounts of capsules as Yamagata and Kai look on in horror! Kaneda and Kei are being held by the military, where Kei reveals that Akira's ultimate energy will allow Tetsuo's full power to come to fruition! With Kiyoko's
help, they escape and go after Tetsuo.
As the military is mobilized, Kai informs Kaneda that Tetsuo killed Yamagata, and Takashi takes Kei on the aqueduct! The military has found out Nezu, and break into his home to tell him the coup has failed!
Tetsuo is out of control, growing so powerful that he can stop rockets with his mind and crush tanks like toys; tearing himself a cape from a window display! Ryu and Nezu die, and Kaneda takes to the streets on his motorcycle to stop his former friend!
The lasers fired by the military at the revolutionaries may seem like family-friendly firearms at first, but it's quickly subverted when it's shown they can draw blood and sever limbs, effectively making them handheld railguns.
The colonel and doctor quickly realize that Tetsuo is headed for the Olympics construction site, and the try to head him off! To the doctor's shock, Tetsuo's waveform is the same as Akira's! Kaneda discovers what Tetsuo has wrought, and Tetsuo discovers Akira is just a bunch of DNA samples and capsules! He does not take this well at all, and the order is given for an orbital strike beacon known as "Sol!" Kaneda and Kei arrive on the scene, and Tetsuo laughs at his former friend's pity. The railgun is only able to wound Tetsuo, but Sol fires and cuts off his arm! However, he's so strong that he flies up destroys Sol! I love how this is one of the few science fiction films to acknowledge there's no sound in space, something the genre is notorious for ignoring for suspension of disbelief.
As the wreckage of Sol falls to Earth, Tetsuo generates a new arm as Kaneda prepares to face his former friend at the stadium one last time. The Colonel is after Tetsuo as well, and he starts reaching critical power levels! He refuses to go back for treatment as his body starts growing into grotesque proportions and shapes! Takashi, Masaru and Kiyoko arrive as Kaneda starts taking shots from his motorcycle!
At that moment, Akira then reawakens inside Tetsuo as his form starts consuming everything in its path! Kaneda then blasts his way out as the mass of body parts consumes the Numbers, but as it reaches Akira's remains; he is given form as a blue glow pushes back the mass! Kaneda then runs back from the mass as Takashi is caught in the crossfire! Masaru and Kiyoko decide to save him at the cost of their own lives! Tetsuo's final moments, as well as the film's; are spent within his memories and dreams, getting a glimpse of Akira at last as well as the Numbers' past. While the manga was not yet complete at the time of release, the film is able to stand on its own as a masterpiece of animation.
Over thirty years later, Katsuhiro Otomo's vision of the future is still the gold standard for all the works that followed in the medium of anime. That's the power of "Akira:" everything about this film works: the animation, the writing, the voice acting: everything. Out of all the works I've written about here, this is the one that changed me most as a person.
So, as you can imagine; I'm among many who were less than enthused about the proposed live-action remake. The idea of remaking any animation in live-action is a bit of a crapshoot in itself, doing it to a film as important as this one is especially tricky. One would need to take great care with the script and direction to make sure the concepts are presented faithfully. I'm not saying it can't be done, I'm simply saying if you're not willing to make the effort; maybe you shouldn't go forward with something that won't make fans happy or win over newcomers. To make this even more moot, many Western works have been more faithful to Otomo's concept than most of the pitches we've gotten so far. Right now, I am going to keep enjoying this movie, I have seen it many times since I was sixteen, and I would easily be willing to watch it a thousand times more in the future. It's simply that great a work.
You cannot stop the future, for it has already begun.
As the military is mobilized, Kai informs Kaneda that Tetsuo killed Yamagata, and Takashi takes Kei on the aqueduct! The military has found out Nezu, and break into his home to tell him the coup has failed!
Tetsuo is out of control, growing so powerful that he can stop rockets with his mind and crush tanks like toys; tearing himself a cape from a window display! Ryu and Nezu die, and Kaneda takes to the streets on his motorcycle to stop his former friend!
The lasers fired by the military at the revolutionaries may seem like family-friendly firearms at first, but it's quickly subverted when it's shown they can draw blood and sever limbs, effectively making them handheld railguns.
The colonel and doctor quickly realize that Tetsuo is headed for the Olympics construction site, and the try to head him off! To the doctor's shock, Tetsuo's waveform is the same as Akira's! Kaneda discovers what Tetsuo has wrought, and Tetsuo discovers Akira is just a bunch of DNA samples and capsules! He does not take this well at all, and the order is given for an orbital strike beacon known as "Sol!" Kaneda and Kei arrive on the scene, and Tetsuo laughs at his former friend's pity. The railgun is only able to wound Tetsuo, but Sol fires and cuts off his arm! However, he's so strong that he flies up destroys Sol! I love how this is one of the few science fiction films to acknowledge there's no sound in space, something the genre is notorious for ignoring for suspension of disbelief.
As the wreckage of Sol falls to Earth, Tetsuo generates a new arm as Kaneda prepares to face his former friend at the stadium one last time. The Colonel is after Tetsuo as well, and he starts reaching critical power levels! He refuses to go back for treatment as his body starts growing into grotesque proportions and shapes! Takashi, Masaru and Kiyoko arrive as Kaneda starts taking shots from his motorcycle!
At that moment, Akira then reawakens inside Tetsuo as his form starts consuming everything in its path! Kaneda then blasts his way out as the mass of body parts consumes the Numbers, but as it reaches Akira's remains; he is given form as a blue glow pushes back the mass! Kaneda then runs back from the mass as Takashi is caught in the crossfire! Masaru and Kiyoko decide to save him at the cost of their own lives! Tetsuo's final moments, as well as the film's; are spent within his memories and dreams, getting a glimpse of Akira at last as well as the Numbers' past. While the manga was not yet complete at the time of release, the film is able to stand on its own as a masterpiece of animation.
Over thirty years later, Katsuhiro Otomo's vision of the future is still the gold standard for all the works that followed in the medium of anime. That's the power of "Akira:" everything about this film works: the animation, the writing, the voice acting: everything. Out of all the works I've written about here, this is the one that changed me most as a person.
So, as you can imagine; I'm among many who were less than enthused about the proposed live-action remake. The idea of remaking any animation in live-action is a bit of a crapshoot in itself, doing it to a film as important as this one is especially tricky. One would need to take great care with the script and direction to make sure the concepts are presented faithfully. I'm not saying it can't be done, I'm simply saying if you're not willing to make the effort; maybe you shouldn't go forward with something that won't make fans happy or win over newcomers. To make this even more moot, many Western works have been more faithful to Otomo's concept than most of the pitches we've gotten so far. Right now, I am going to keep enjoying this movie, I have seen it many times since I was sixteen, and I would easily be willing to watch it a thousand times more in the future. It's simply that great a work.
You cannot stop the future, for it has already begun.
Recap: Ranma, 1/2: Big Trouble in Nekonron, China
Warning: This recap contains material that may not be suitable for some audiences. Read at your own risk.
Hello everyone. Well, I thought after all the terrible anime that I've covered over the years, that I would do something nostalgic and fun to help close things out: the first movie of Ranma, 1/2! I have been curious to check this out for a long time; since it was advertised on the tail end of a lot of my Viz Pokémon videotapes growing up. I am not a huge fan of the show, but I at least know enough about it and like it enough to do this. So, let's open up "Ranma, 1/2: Big Trouble in Nekonron, China!"
We open on a recurring character named Happosai doing a panty raid as he flees from his latest score. Basically, just imagine Master Roshi if he were much shorter and even more perverted and you've got him. What follows is a chase throughout the town, and this establishes the tone of the movie nicely. Sure, as the villains enter the space; it shows what's at stake; but overall, the film is in tune with what I have seen in the TV anime. It has some fantasy and martial arts elements, but also plenty of quirky humor. Fitting, as the series centers around and the title character and his dad being cursed to turn into a girl and a panda bear respectively whenever someone splashes water on them. I may be crazy, but I'm not crazy enough to make that up.
Amidst all the commotion; we are introduced to our villain: Prince Kirin! He kidnaps Akane, vowing to marry her upon his return to his homeland of Nekonron, China! It’s a fairly common plot, but much like the series it’s based on, it’s the execution that makes the movie interesting.
So, it falls to Ranma and the rest of his compatriots to help save Akane, lest she fall victim to a life of drudgery; toil and three meals a day of rice and pickled vegetables! This may only be 72 minutes long; but it definitely captures the deadly serious, yet humorously offbeat nature of the series it's based on.
Hello everyone. Well, I thought after all the terrible anime that I've covered over the years, that I would do something nostalgic and fun to help close things out: the first movie of Ranma, 1/2! I have been curious to check this out for a long time; since it was advertised on the tail end of a lot of my Viz Pokémon videotapes growing up. I am not a huge fan of the show, but I at least know enough about it and like it enough to do this. So, let's open up "Ranma, 1/2: Big Trouble in Nekonron, China!"
We open on a recurring character named Happosai doing a panty raid as he flees from his latest score. Basically, just imagine Master Roshi if he were much shorter and even more perverted and you've got him. What follows is a chase throughout the town, and this establishes the tone of the movie nicely. Sure, as the villains enter the space; it shows what's at stake; but overall, the film is in tune with what I have seen in the TV anime. It has some fantasy and martial arts elements, but also plenty of quirky humor. Fitting, as the series centers around and the title character and his dad being cursed to turn into a girl and a panda bear respectively whenever someone splashes water on them. I may be crazy, but I'm not crazy enough to make that up.
Amidst all the commotion; we are introduced to our villain: Prince Kirin! He kidnaps Akane, vowing to marry her upon his return to his homeland of Nekonron, China! It’s a fairly common plot, but much like the series it’s based on, it’s the execution that makes the movie interesting.
So, it falls to Ranma and the rest of his compatriots to help save Akane, lest she fall victim to a life of drudgery; toil and three meals a day of rice and pickled vegetables! This may only be 72 minutes long; but it definitely captures the deadly serious, yet humorously offbeat nature of the series it's based on.
On top of this, it turns out that while Akane may be held hostage by this wedding; that someone does want to marry this prince: the excitable recurring character of Lychee! She is every bit as energetic as the nuts that she's named for, especially given how many time she and her companion Jasmine (no relation to the Disney Princess of the same name) ejected Ranma and his cohorts from their boat.
Back with Kirin, it turns out that he has a very strict diet of rice and pickled vegetables as per tradition in Nekonron, much to Akane's disappointment. It also turns out that in addition to her heart, Kirin and his "Seven Lucky Gods" have stolen Lychee's treasure of the "Scroll of Luck!"
Storming out of the dining hall on Kirin's ship in disgust, Akane happens upon the kitchen; and the cargo hold as well! She threatens to dump their food supply into the sea, and then feeds him some of her cooking! It turns out that it's not just tradition, but the people of Nekonron are only able to eat rice and pickled vegetables! Amidst all the chaos, Ranma is able to infiltrate the ship along with Akane's father Soun Tendo, Nabiki Tendo, Ranma's father Genma, Shampoo and Mousse. However, the next big obstacle to clear in order to stop the wedding are the Seven Lucky Gods, a group of fighters chosen to defend Nekonron! On top of this, Kirin is also a surprisingly powerful fighter; having previously defeated Ranma and the others with little more than a pair of chopsticks and a single stroke!
Kirin's flying ship has arrived in Nekonron, and as they approach the castle of the Seven Lucky Gods, Ranma must face them all in battle to stop the wedding and rescue Akane! First up is Bishamonten!
It also turns out the "Seven Lucky Gods" escalate in strength and technique with each succeeding opponent, with the second and third being a pair of twins playing Go named Daihakuse and Daikokuse! They are easily some of the most polite villains I've ever seen, and perfect examples of the unique antagonists this movie and series has to offer.
Though the game does pose a challenge for Ranma and his posse, he is able to not only break their game board; but their castle as well so they can cross the third gate!
Their fourth opponent is named Wu, but this fighter will be Jasmine's to deal with as Ranma and Lychee's true challenge is the femme fatale Monlon, who Happosai is very eager to see.
Though her enchanted lute does prove to be a formidable threat, Shampoo cuts the lute's strings! Shampoo will deal with Monlon as Ranma goes to face the boss of the fifth gate: Kirin's faithful ward, Ebiten!
I must say, for how long ago this movie came out, the animation and fight choreography have held up amazingly well over time. Though the quality of the images and recording I'm working with are the best I can do on such short notice, if they ever remastered the movies like they did the TV show; I hope they do a good job.
Before Ebiten can strike the final blow, Ryoga; one of Ranma's rivals is able to stomp on Ebiten! Along with everyone else, it's time to crash this party!
Just as the two scrolls are about to be joined, it's time for the final battle: Ranma's "Katchu Tenshin Amaguriken" against Kirin's chopstick technique!
Though Ranma at first thinks Kirin has some force field surrounding him, he realizes instead that the chopsticks themselves are being used for both defense and attack! Akane even demands that Kirin stop the fighting, but neither he nor Ranma will concede the fight! Ranma then realizes that the chopsticks can't block water attacks, so he shatters the floor and sends a geyser through the hole; flooding the lower levels of the castle and providing an opening for Ranma to fight back!
With his "Hiryu Shoten Ha" attack, Ranma wrecks the castle and saves Akane! As Lychee approaches Kirin, it turns out that their halves of the scroll make up recipes for his favorite pickled vegetable dish! So, we close on Lychee hooking up with Kirin and a rocking outro theme of "It's Love" by the band Rabbit!
Before I post my final recap, but after dealing with the slogs of my previous recaps; I thought something nostalgic would be good to indulge in, and "Ranma 1/2: Big Trouble in Nekonron, China" is a perfect way to do that. While this took much quicker than I was intending to, and while I do admit that this movie does require some knowledge of the source material to fully enjoy, it does capture the Ranma 1/2 experience in an easily-digestible 72-minute package. It's a film that I'm glad I was finally able to talk about, and a great penultimate anime to write about before my retirement. I hope to enjoy 2019, and I am eager to share more with you in the future wherever I am then. Next up is my final recap, so don't miss it. Bang.
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