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Aug 5, 2013
Beware for Darkside is coming to Earth. No I am not talking about the DC comic super villain who terrorizes the heroes of the DC universe. I am talking about the unnamed dark clad man who comes through a dimensional portal on a horse drawn carriage arriving in Kabuki-cho "The Dark Side of Tokyo" which is one of the last places on Earth that isn't controlled by the Persona Century Corporation. This mysterious Darkside brings a coming change and renewal to poor and disenfranchised people of Kabuki-cho, as well as the power hungry rulers of Earth that run Persona Century, and the rest of the
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citizens of Earth.
I had originally watched Darkside Blues around fifteen years ago, and at the time I really enjoyed the film, but after seeing the film again after such a long time I realize that while Darkside Blues is an entertaining film with some grand ideas it is also a very flawed anime film as well. The film follows a whole cast of characters from wayward rebels living in Kabuki-cho to members of the anti-Persona group to Persona representatives. There are so many plot threads, genres and themes taking place in a miniscule running time of eighty three minutes that it takes away from the quality of the film. There is the plot thread revolving around Darkside and the Persona Corporation. Apparently the Persona Corporation sealed Darkside in another dimension, but the film never tries to explain the reasoning behind it only implying that the return of Darkside will be extremely bad for Persona. I found the plot and the character Darkside interesting and wished the film could have explored that plot thread better. There is another plot thread that revolves around Mai and her past dealing with the Guren the heir to the Persona Corporation, and there are many more plot points, and plot twists in Darkside that might have worked better if Darkside had been a longer film or had a thirteen episode anime series.
There were obvious messages that writer Kikuchi Hideyuki and director Yoshimichi Furukawa wanted to convey in their film as "renewal" or "rebirth" in overcoming loss, rape, or some other kind of hardship and being reborn. There are many religious undertones to the film and other themes about peace, like whether world peace can be achieved peacefully or must it be achieved by force and ruled by a dictator, and if that is achieved is that truly peace. There are many interesting themes that could have explored better if the film had been longer or had Darkside Blues been turned into a short series. You can see the running theme I am going with as I continue my review. The other problem with the film is the all the different genres being blended together. Darkside Blues is a Dystopian film that blends fantasy, action, science fiction, drama, suspense and romance to name a few, and at certain points in the in Darkside it did work well, but you know where I am going with this so I'll stop here.
While the plot, characters, themes weren't fleshed out enough one of the things that did work for the film was the tone of Darkside Blues. The anime film was dark in color to emphasize the themes of the film and it works really well. Even when it is daylight you can still see the shadows of the darkness and it just emphasizes the points the writer and director are trying to convey. While I am sure the animation was good nearly twenty years ago when the film came out Darkside's animation certainly does not hold up as well as other anime films, but is still decent and enjoyable. Now to what is perhaps the best part of the film which is the music scored by Kazuhiko Toyama. The music is beautifully scored and fleshed out fully encompassing each scene in the film. Then there was the ant-persona ballad song. I don't know who sang the song, but it was wonderfully written and exquisitely performed by the singer with a simple guitar. I tried to looking online to find who sang both the Japanese and English words for the song, but I could not find out who performed the ballads.
I truly believe Darkside Blues could have worked extremely better as an anime series. The plot, characters and themes could have been completely fleshed out in a twelve or twenty four episode series. Unfortunately instead we get a jumbled mess that is at times an entertaining film in Darkside Blues that blends to many plot threads, themes, genres and characters into a short film that. I give Kikuchi Hideyuki and Yoshimichi Furukawa props for trying to create a meaningful film, but they have sadly failed and I can't recommend Darkside unless you are a true anime fan then you might find the film worthwhile or entertaining like I did.
Reviewer’s Rating: 6
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Aug 5, 2013
"I knew then...I knew that the world needed him and that I couldn't change his way of life - that it wasn't mine...it wasn't mine to change. But even though I knew it...even though I knew it, I wanted to chase him, to somehow keep him." Himura Kaoru
Every journey has an ending, and with Rurouni Kenshin: Reflection brings to an conclusion Himura Kenshin's journey of atonement that he has been searching for since his final days as Battousai The Manslayer. Reflection strives to add on to the endings of the anime series Rurouni Kenshin and the manga series as well as giving fans of both
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a visually emotional yet satisfying ending to Kenshin's endless struggle for atonement for all the lives he has taken, which depends on whether you are a fan of Rurouni Kenshin, or have seen or read the anime and manga series.
For those of you who have read the manga know that at the end of the manga series Kenshin and Kauru are married and have a son named Himura Kenji, while Kenshin has given his sword to Yahiko, and Sanosuke has set out on his own journey throughout the world. Reflection picks up over a decade after the end of Rurouni Kenshin the anime series and manga. Kenshin has gone to the continent to help the fledgling Meiji government in the first First Sino-Japanese War, but after the war has ended Kenshin has not returned and is considered missing, yet Kauru who has aged over the years still goes to port every day in hopes of seeing her love. Kauru struggles alone in her and Kenshin's home as their son Kenji who is now a teenager, and who after rejecting his father ran off to train with Kenshin's former master Hiko Seijūrō.
The film follows Kenshin's struggle to get home to Kauru, and Kauru's faith and love of Kenshin. Through flashbacks viewers get are able to see how Kenshin and Kauru got to their points in the film. Viewers are also able to finally see the final arch of the Rurouni Kenshin manga brought to life as Enishi Yukishiro returns to seek vengeance on Kenshin for his sister Tomoe death. Through flashbacks viewers are able to see Kenshin's continuing struggle to find atonement even though he is no longer a swordsman. Viewers see even though Kenshin is content, and in a way happy with Kauru and his young son Kenji, but still wishes to find a way to help people and prevent the loss of life, but his struggle has also taken a toll on his body with an unknown disease. The name of the disease Kenshin suffered from is never named in the film. I have heard different theories with the main one being Kenshin suffered from a form of leprosy, which he passed on to Kauru, but I believe it was something else, and Kenshin's body just broke down from Kenshin pushing his body beyond its limits for so long. Kauru is the real star of Reflection has the film shows how strong a woman is, and how much respect people have for her, and her love and support for Kenshin, and the ending is just truly heart wrenching moment.
The story is beautifully written and emotionally moving, creating one of the saddest yet emotionally satisfying anime OVA's ever. Yet I can see flaws some will have with Reflection. I have heard some say they do not want to see a broken down Kenshin or how he dies, but in my opinion what we are given in Reflection is a fitting ending to Kenshin's journey and struggle to find atonement, peace and happiness. I mean really come on with the way Kenshin used his body how long did you thing his body could hold up. Just look at athletes from boxing, UFC, football, baseball and other sports. There is only so long a person can push their body to its limits a beyond before it starts to break down, and yet even with his body no longer able to perform in battle I can see Kenshin continuing his selfless battle to help people live and survive. Another flaw I have read people complain about is Kauru. She is a strong willed woman who matches well with Kenshin and is not afraid to enter into battle, and people have complained that she would have gone with Kenshin on his journey, and brought him back. It is a flawed criticism. Critics forget that Kauru was a mother as well, and could not just drag her son on her journey with Kenshin or just abandon him. Then as years went by Kauru's health was failing as well, and she could just not just go off blindly searching for Kenshin. That is just ridiculous, instead I can see her instead supporting the main she loves, raising and loving their son, and being the beacon of light in the darkness so Kenshin would always return home to her, and she proves that by the quote above that Kauru delivers in the OVA.
Perhaps the biggest flaw of Reflection is its accessibility. Unlike the OVA Trust and Betrayal, the Rurouni Kenshin anime and manga Reflection takes place in the future, and if you have not seen or read the earlier works you will understand the storylines or connect to the characters as those who are fans of the anime and manga making Reflection simply a love letter meant for fans of the character, and no one else. The story is aided by gorgeous animation done by Studio Deen that rivals any animation that is around today as well as a score by Taku Iwasaki who brought a triumphant yet solemn and uplifting score to Reflection that added emotional impact to each scene.
Reflection is certainly not for everyone. The film is certainly not for viewers who are not fans of the characters, and who have not seen or read the anime and manga, but for fans who loved the characters along with the anime and manga series we get a fitting conclusion to Kenshin's journey as well as the love story of Kauru and Kenshin along with getting a glimpse into the lives of our favorite characters and what their future looks like. Reflection delivers on all of those giving viewers a moving conclusion to the journey of Kenshin one of the best characters ever created along with beautiful animation, and a moving score. I highly recommend Reflection for those who are fans of the character, but if you are not or do not know about Himura Kenshin then skip Reflection for now, and instead I highly recommend you watch Trust and Betrayal, watch Rurouni Kenshin the anime series or read the Rurouni Kenshin manga series. You will not be disappointed, and will be introduced to an amazing character as well as being captivated by his struggle and emotional journey.
Reviewer’s Rating: 10
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Aug 5, 2013
How does a man who has murdered countless men, and has seen nothing but death along with experiencing endless pain and suffering since he was a child live his life after he has sworn never to kill again? That is the question that haunts Himura Kenshin the popular character created by Nobuhiro Watsuki. Watsuki's twenty eight volume manga series follows Kenshin's struggle to find atonement, peace and happiness in the new Japan. Along Kenshin's journey he meets new friends in Kamiya Kaoru and Sagara Sanosuke among others as well as old adversaries in Saitō Hajime as well as new and old enemies. Rurouni Kenshin would
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become one of the bestselling manga series ever in Japan as well as becoming popular in the United States, and the rest of the world that would inspire Studio Gallop to create an anime series based directly off of the popular manga series that many consider one of the best anime series ever made which is questionable depending on your view of how close an anime series should follow the manga that it is inspired from or should it continue even if the manga series has not finished yet. That are some of the things I will attempt to address in my review.
The first season follows episodes 1-27 and introduces Kamiya Kaoru who will become the most important person in Kenshin's new life. Through her innocence, kindness and naiveté he finds a home and hope as he says in to a bunch of thugs who are about to kill Kaoru "A sword is a weapon. The art of swordsmanship is learning how to kill. That is the truth. What Miss Kaoru says is sweet and innocent talk that only those whose hands have never been stained with the blood of men can believe. But, to tell you the truth, I much prefer Miss Kaoru's sweet and innocent talk over the truth, indeed I do." That quote sets the tone for the first season of Rurouni Kenshin. The first season of Rurouni Kenshin follows pretty closely to the manga having all the core characters in the anime series, but adding others including Dr. Genzai's Ayame and Suzume grandchildren. I think Studio Gallop, and the writers decided to add them because they wanted to add more of a human and light hearted element that predominates the first season even with some dark story lines. All is not perfect with the first season especially in the latter part of the season with the three part pirate arc that closes out the first season. The plot was decent at best as Kenshin battles pirates on the open seas, and on Kairyu Island, but the action was what was really disappointing with the final episodes. There was just no real drama or excitement with Kenshin's battles in his search to save everyone, and find Kaoru. It just felt like the writers were just biding time until Season two and the long Kyoto arc. Overall if I had to give a score to the first season of Rurouni Kenshin it would have to be a 4.75. The final episodes did hurt the season, but overall the first season of Rurouni Kenshin was excellent introducing one of the best characters ever creating and introducing a whole new audience to one of the best romances ever in an anime series, and perhaps in mass media in general.
Season two of Rurouni Kenshin is a much darker season as it kicks off the long Kyoto arc that forces Himura Kenshin to face his past once again. Season 2 is my favorite season of Rurouni Kenshin as the series introduces what is perhaps my favorite character in the entire series in Hajime Saito. Saitō Hajime is a former member of the Shinsengumi who were nicknamed the "Wolves of Mibu" Those who have seen Trust and Betrayal know that it is where Kenshin and Hajime first meet. Hajime is one of the few people in Japan who could stand toe to toe against Kenshin and nearly defeat Kenshin. Though they were enemies and fought many times, they also learned to respect each other through their battles, so when Hajime Saito reappears in the first episode of the season two it is quite a shock to Kenshin as Saito nearly kills Sanosuke to try and force out of Kenshin the old manslayer he once was and telling him "You can train a dog with food, you can buy a person with money, but there isn't a man alive able influence the wolves of Mibu! Some things will never change. A wolf will always be a wolf, the Shinsengumi will always be the Shinsengumi, and a manslayer will always be a manslayer!" That quote would set the tone for the dark second season as a new threat arises in Makoto Shishio. Shishio is the manslayer who very briefly appears in Trust and Betrayal as Kenshin's replacement in the shadows. Makoto Shishio has returned to destroy the Meiji government that nearly killed him, and in doing so he would form his own nation that would become a world power. The Kyoto arc is brilliantly animated and written as they show introduces Uonuma Usui "The Blind Sword", Makimachi Misao and Sawagejō Chō among others who bring such life to the show with their well written characters. Overall season two was a wonderful season that I would give a rating of 5 stars to. The season gave me displayed the best fights, and depth in story and emotional impact that I have nothing honestly to complain about.
It is always a risk when an anime series continues on past the point of the manga when the manga is still on going. Will the writers be able to come up with a story that will fit the tone of the manga? Will the audience embrace the storyline that the anime series is showing even though the manga series is still on going? Many manga series like Beserk and Inuyasha decide to end their series, wait for the manga series to end, but others like Dragon Ball Z and Fullmetal Alchemist forge on either giving us endless filler episodes who creating storylines of their own. That is the question that faced Studio Gallop after the end of season two and the Kyoto arc in episode 62 when the Rurouni Kenshin was still on going. Studio Gallop opted not to continue the series, but Studio Deen was willing two and gave us the third and final season of the Rurouni Kenshin anime series. I have found that there are generally two minds to the final season of the anime series. In one corner there are fans who think the final season is nothing but filler episodes and is a disappointment, and in the other corner there are those fans who enjoyed the final season liking its different story lines. I find that I am in the latter of the two categories. The story lines are completely different from the manga. There episode arcs that involve a Christian Amakusa Shōgo who was also a student of Hiten Mitsurugi style of swordsman ship, and wants to set up his own nation in Japan. Another arc involves the dreaded Black Knights who are in a search for the divine elixir that will give them the power to rule the world. No the story lines and characters are not as good as the first two seasons, but the third season is enjoyable with some fun and heartwarming episodes including the final episode that I loved. Yes the third season is the weakest of the series, but it was still enjoyable with interesting story lines and entertaining episodes that I would have to give the final season a 4 out of 5 stars.
The animation is dated compared to the modern anime series that are out now, but the animation is still well done as is the action which is well planned out, and animated. I must warn you that there are I believe there are three dubbed versions of the anime series. There is original version that came with the original release of the DVD's in the United States. There is another one at Cruchingroll that is terrible and heavily edited for a younger audience. I believe there is one more dubbed version out there, but by far the best dubbed version of the series is the original, so if you cannot find the original dubbed series watch it with subtitles you will enjoy far more than watching the terrible other dubbed versions of the series.
The Rurouni Kenshin is an excellent anime series that adds to the manga and the life of Himura Kenshin one of the greatest fictional characters ever created, with great characters, dated but beautiful animation, excellent action, a great soundtrack and a romance for the ages in Himura Kenshin and Kamiya Kaoru. Rurouni Kenshin is one of my favorite anime series I have ever seen giving it a score of 5 out of 5 stars. I highly recommend the Rurouni Kenshin anime series to any anime fan out there, and no you do not have to have read the manga series first to watch the series, so enjoy the remarkable journey of Himura Kenshin as he strives to find atonement for his sins along with peace and happiness, and the wonderful anime series Rurouni Kenshin.
Reviewer’s Rating: 10
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Aug 5, 2013
"The moon peers down on a diseased world. There is no cure for the disease, an entire race walks mindlessly into destruction. Not even a man of colossal power, would be able to prevent the inevitable."
Every choice has a consequence, and every action will cause a reaction that will impact you whether realize it or not, and the decisions by the characters in Trust and Betrayal, but by more importantly the legendary Himura Kenshin will shape a nation for years to come, and cause a great deal of pain and suffering in his own life. For those of you unfamiliar with the character Himura Kenshin,
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he is the creation of acclaimed Japanese manga artist and author Nobuhiro Watsuki. Nobuhiro Watsuki likes to use real life characters and events for his stories, and very loosely basis Himura Kenshin on Kawakami Gensai. Himura Kenshin is a former Choshu assassin said to be the greatest swordsman every, who mysteriously disappeared right after the Tokugawa Shogunate fell in 1867. The Manga takes place eleven years later in 1878 with Kamiya Kaoru searching for the legendary manslayer that has been killing innocent people and saying he was using the Kamiya Kasshin-ryū style of swordsmanship. She accidently runs into a wandering swordsman with a reverse blade sword who has taken a vow to never kill again. Watsuki creatively combined the real world of late 19th century Japan with his story, and through his twenty eight volume manga, and Kenshin and Kaoru's memorable journey together Watsuki creates one of the best manga story lines ever along with some of their most well written characters ever, so it is not surprising that Studio Deen would be interesting in creating a Anime series based on the manga, which gave life to the wonderful ninety five episode anime series Rurouni Kenshin. Still there was lots of interest in Kenshin's past before the Meji Restoration while he was an assassin and Trust and Betrayal gives viewers the insight into Kenshin Himura's early years.
The quote above by the character Hiko Seijūrō is a fitting quote for the mid-19th century Japan. The Tokugawa Shogunate had basically had absolute control of Japan for over two hundred years ruling by fear and hostage taking. That is the simplistic version, but it gets the point across. The Shogun was the voice of the Emperor and there was no dissention ever with any dissention leading to imprisonment or death. In the 19th century things began to change with the class system and the restrictions the Shogunate put on each class began to boil over, and then there was the Shogunate's policy of isolationism. Outside of the Dutch, Japan refused to have any dealings with the outside world. That quickly changed in the 18th century with Imperialism. England was had defeated China in the first Opium War, Russia was encroaching on Japan's territory and then there is the United States which had its eyes on the Pacific and Japan. This would lead to the infamous "Black Ships" and the arrival of Admiral Perry who forced the Shogunate to open the country to all foreign nations. This embarrassment and insult would lead civil war and the collapse of the downfall of the Shogunate as many different sides and factions fought for control of Japan, which is when Trust and Betrayal takes place.
At the outset of Trust and Betrayal we follow a group of travelers traveling down small road when they are brutally attacked by bandits leaving just a small child alive, and it looks like the child will be killed along with his fellow companions when Hiko Seijūrō who easily dispatches with the bandits, but does not help the boy just basically saying this is life deal with it and walks away thinking nothing of the boy that is until Seijūrō finds the child standing in front of freshly buried graves where the boy has not only buried his companions, but also the bandits as well. Seijūrō agrees to take the boy on as his disciple and asks the boy his name, and in reply the child says his name is Shinta. This is the first defining moment in Shinta soon to be Kenshin's life. Through Seijūrō and his Hiten Mitsurugi-ryū style of swordsman ship would lead Kenshin to become one of the greatest swordsman and killers ever. The second defining moment of Kenshin's young life takes place a few years after he has left Seijuro Hiko's tutelage to try and make a difference for the people and Japan where Kenshin ends up working for the Choshu clan as their best assassin. Through them he encounters Kiyosato Akira a young samurai guarding a local shogun official, and though Kenshin is victorious in killing the official and Akira, Kenshin is left scarred and the consequences of his actions would come back to haunt him. That theme is carried out throughout the OVA and impacts not only Kenshin, but all the characters in the anime. How our choices we make may not think wrong or won't impact anyone else may leave lasting and even devastating impact on those affected by those decisions along with the ones who made them. Kenshin is socially awkward having physically grown up, but not emotionally, and though he knows about the harshness of the world Kenshin is also naïve when it comes to interacting with the world and trying to change it, which Seijuro tries to point out to his young pupil. Katsura Kogorō the leader of the part of the Choshu clan regrettably takes advantage of this fact. The third defining moment that would influence perhaps be the greatest influence on his life and lead to his vow never to kill again is when Kenshin falls in love, but I will not give anything more away about what happens later in the OVA for those who haven't read the manga any of the anime series or films, but like Nobuhiro Watsuki did with the manga Studio Deen and writer Masashi Sogo creates a beautiful Greek Tragedy that again creatively combines historical events in Japan with the story of Kenshin to create a tragic, heart wrenching and truly emotionally satisfying anime OVA that can stand against any live action or anime film, TV series or OVA.
The animation is somewhat outdated by todays standard of animation, but it isn't that noticeable and Trust and Betrayal is beautifully animated with great painstaking detail put into each character and scene. The action in Trust and Betrayal is riveting and violent, which is a testament to Studio Deen's historical detail, and the scenes were brilliantly planned out and animated. The OST was created by Taku Iwasaki who compiles a dramatic and movie score highlighted by "The Wars of the Last Wolves" and "In Memories 'A Boy Meets the Man'" that compliments and the action and emotional moments of the anime scenes, and creating one of the most beautiful anime soundtracks around. I am not really a big fan of dubbed anime films or films in general as I prefer subtitles, but the English voice actors do a relatively good job with the film as did the translators, so I don't think it will effect anyone viewer if they watched it dubbed or with subtitles.
There are many quality anime films, series and OVA's around, but few have true meaning behind their stories or successfully delivers their message. I can think of a few like Now and Then/Here and There, Kino's Journey and Fullmetal Alchemist to name of a few. Rurouni Kenshin: Trust and Betrayal is another. The historical OVA perfectly blends the turbulent times of mid-18th century Japan and fiction to create an exceptional heart wrenching tale about the consequences of our actions and how killing isn't the answer to resolving conflicts, and how death slowly eats away out the soul of the killer, and that along with dated, but still wonderful animation, great action and beautiful music. You don't have to know anything about the character Himura Kenshin or have read the Manga as Trust and Betrayal is an origin story, which makes Trust and Betrayal a must for any anime fan or anyone who is a fan of cinema, for you must experience the birth of one of the greatest and well written characters ever created.
Reviewer’s Rating: 10
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Aug 5, 2013
In the not so distant future Venus has been colonized by settlers from Earth that has come to be controlled by two nations that are Ishtar and Aphordia. The two new independent nations are vying for control of Venus as tensions between the nations quickly spiral toward war Susan Sommers a carefree reporter from Earth who is arriving on Venus to report on the growing tensions between the two Venus nations. As war breaks out with Ishtar invading Aphordia's capital with giant flying ships that drop huge advanced tanks into the city Susan encounters Hiro and the other members of the "Killer Commandos" who are
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a Venus bike racing team. The rag tag group is soon faced with the horrors of war, and is forced to make tough decisions as their homes and nation collapse around them.
I had originally first Watched Venus Wars back in the very early 1990's when anime was truly gaining ground in America with such films as Vampire Hunter D, Akira, Ninja Scroll and Robot Carnival started airing in the US on the Sci-fi channel when it actually had true science fiction programming. I had originally loved the film, and I believe I would have given it five stars all those years ago. Besides shows like Robotech and Transformers that I grew up watching Venus Wars along with Vampire Hunter D and Ninja Scroll truly got me involved with Japanese Animation, so I do have the soft spot for Venus Wars, but after recently watching Venus Wars again after about eight years my views of Venus Wars have changed.
Venus Wars is based on a short run manga with the same name created and written by Yoshikazu Yasuhiko, which I have never read, so I can't compare the two, but the biggest issues with the film is the paper thin plot. It's not that that the plot is bad, it's just that there it is too familiar compared to many other anime films and films in general during the 1980's, and there is no real or detailed back story to go along with the unoriginal concept. The prologue to the Venus Wars is about thirty seconds long and does nothing to explain how Ishtar and Aphordia came to be, and doesn't answer other questions like what their relationship to Earth was or how Ishtar and Aphordia came to be independent. Nor does the film give any detail Ishtar or Aphordia besides they are at war for control of Venus. The lack of backstory for the human history on Venus is continued with the characters. Hiro the main character is from a rich family and he obviously has issues with his family, but yet he only really mentions them once with how the Aphordia government pays them to do basically nothing. The same can be said for the rest of the characters in Venus Wars. Still with that said the characters like Maggie, Susan, Will and Kurtz will keep you entertained and compelled by their flawed, but entertaining stories. I think the problem with the plot and characters rest on the head of Yoshikazu Yasuhiko who was both writer and director of the film. From seeing looking up his credits I think he was the wrong choice for both writer and director. I believe Triangle Staff who produced the film should have made different choices for writer and director of Venus Wars, but Yasuhiko could have compelled the animation company to bring him on as writer and director Venus Wars. If not he wouldn't have allowed them to make a film about his comic. Whatever the reason I believe the choice of Yasuhiko to write and direct Venus Wars was the wrong one.
What works in Venus Wars, and keeps the film from being below average film is the animation, designs, action and music. While the animation is dated and even at the time of its release didn't compare to other anime film the animation doe by Triangle Staff still works for the type of film Venus Wars is and the environment of the planet. The animation is was dark and dirty that perfectly fit the gritty and desolate landscape of Venus. The designs and detail of vehicles from the advanced military tanks to the tactical assault military motorcycles are cool looking, and extremely well drawn and animated. The actions is riveting from the Venus War's brutal motorcycle races that is like a marriage between Nascar and Death Race that has so many convoluted rules, and is yet so compelling and exciting to the battles that are well planned out, beautifully drawn and animated. The action and animation is complimented by composer Joe Hisaishi score. Hisaishi who is a long time filming partner to the great Hayao Miyazaki delivers a compelling score that matches the environment of Venus as well as the tone. The combined animation, designs, action and music help to elevate the underdeveloped plot and characters tuning Venus Wars from a flawed below average film into a good action war film.
While Venus Wars isn't as good as I first thought it was when I first watched the anime film over twenty years ago especially plot and character that is flawed, but does have a decent plot and characters that is saved by good well drawn designs and animations along with some spectacular action, and a beautiful score that keeps Venus Wars from being dragged down into mediocrity. If you are an anime fan, and miss the classic films from the 1980's and early 1990's check out Venus Wars you will be entertained if nothing else.
Reviewer’s Rating: 7
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Dec 19, 2012
Trigun was a manga series that originally came out in 1996 in Japan that spawned a sequel or reboot in Trigun Maximum in 1998. Together they birthed Trigun the 26 episode anime series that became hugely successful in Japan and the United States. The late 1990's to the early 2000's was a great time for anime in the United States and in general with a boom in popularity with shows like Cowboy Bebop, Big O, Zoids: Chaotic Century, Outlaw Star, Mobile Suit Gundam: The 08th MS Team, Trigun, Blue Gender, Fullmetal Alchemist and others. I had always been an anime fan growing up with anime
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shows like Transformers, Robotech and Voltron, but that was the time I truly became an avid fan of the genre. Still originally I skipped Trigun the anime series. From the trailers and previews I had seen it looked too much like an over the top comedy series, but my older brother convinced me to give it a try and loaned me his VHS tapes. For those of you who don't know Trigun takes place on a distant planet after generations ago humans left earth to settle on a new world and the story follows Vash the Stampede who has also been nicknamed the Humanoid Typhoon for all the destruction that follows him. The anime follows this carefree guy who doesn't seem like the guy who brings chaos and destruction with him, but sadly for him and the people around him it seems to happen. I was surprise at how good the anime series was and is. Sure at the beginning there is a lot of comedy and there is humor throughout the series, but I think it's there to lighten the mood of the series, because without it Trigun would be a very dark and bleak series and it works as the anime series manages to blend drama, action, humor and even romance almost perfectly. Oh it the series has one of the best death scenes a film or anime series ever. It has become one of my favorite anime series of all time, so when I heard about there being a Trigun film being made back in 2008 and 2009 I was very skeptical. I really didn't think it was necessary especially if it wasn't going to be connected to the anime series like the Cowboy Bebop film was connected to their anime series. The film was released in Japan in 2010 and in the United States a few months ago. I finally got to see the film a few days ago. Was there need for a Trigun film no, and was the film good and again the answer is no.
Trigun: Badlands Rumble barely there plot starts twenty years in the past where a gang of thieves led by the huge man Gasback who enjoys showing off and the big robberies. Things go smoothly for them as they get the money. That is until Gasback's men turn on him shooting him in the eye. Things look bad for the gang leader until Vash stumbles in clumsily and saves Gasback's life. Does Gasback thank him as his former comrades make off with all the money and the bank is surrounded by the police no he doesn't. Instead he hits a button and launches a whole bunch of missiles laying waste to the town and the bank. Twenty years later Gasback has formed another gang and is looking for revenge on his former comrades. One former comrade runs Macca City where Gasback is headed with his men and his body guard Wolfwood. Vash is also headed on a steamer where he runs into the beautiful Amelia who is after the 300 million double dollar reward for Gasback. They hang out in the city until Gasback attacks and things get out of hand from there.
The plot isn't very good. The problem with it is it doesn't follow any continuum whether it be the manga or anime so it will be confusing for a fan of the manga or anime series like me let alone a new comer. If you haven't seen or read the anime and manga and try to check out this film you will be completely lost. The writers don't bother to introduce or give any background to Vash, Wolfwood, Meryl or Milly who are from the Manga and Anime series. The writer and directors just assume that a newcomer will be able to follow or care about these characters, and even with my love for the anime series and manga I barely cared about the plot or the characters. I love Vash he's a great character and he was again the best character in the film, but even he was a letdown. The story just didn't carry the depth, humor or emotional impact that one episode of the anime series did.
What can I give praise to is the animation down by the great anime company Madhouse. The same company that has done great anime series and films like Vampire Hunter D: Bloodlust, Gungrave, Wicked City, Record of Lodoss War, Ninja Scroll, three Batman films and more. The detail in this film is amazing from the facial expressions to the vehicles Madhouse did an outstanding job bringing this film to life and honestly it was the best thing about Trigun: Badlands Rumble.
Going into this film I wasn't expecting much, but I was hoping for a good anime film. Sadly that isn't what I got. Trigun: Badlands Rumble fails to entertain newcomers or fans of the series and manga with a weak plot, lack of character depth or emotional connection, good music. The only thing that the film has going for it is the excellent animation done by Madhouse, so sadly I can't recommend this film to a newcomer to anime or a fan of Vash. Instead if you are interested in Vash I would recommend you read the two manga series or better yet check out the anime series which I consider the best of all of them.
You can see more of my reviews at http://www.movieweb.com/u/huntsman
Reviewer’s Rating: 5
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Nov 24, 2012
This is copy of my review I posted at Movieweb.com
Starship Troopers: Invasion is a breath of fresh air from the previous from the three previous films. I've been a fan of Starship Troopers since I first saw the film Starship Troopers back when it came out in November of 1997 a few weeks before the very disappointing Alien Resurrection. It wasn't a great film, but it was fun and entertaining with Denise Richards and two of my favorite actors in Michael Ironside and Neil Patrick Harris. Michael Ironside I think is a little known actor, but you might recognize him from his voice acting as
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he was the voice of Darkside in the Superman and Justice League cartoon series along with his work as Sam Fisher in the Splinter Cell series. Then there is the one and only Neil Patrick Harris who I've followed since I watched him in Doogie Howser. He really is special multi-talented actor who enjoys what he does. Heck was the best thing in the Harold and Kumar films, and the only reason to watch How I Met Your Mother. Though I enjoyed the movie I hadn't read Robert A. Heinlein novel the film was based off of. After the film I picked up the novel and loved it. Starship Troopers had little in common with Heinlein's novel besides a few things like the main character Rico. Seven years later Starship Troopers 2: Hero of the Federation a film that should never have been made was released to DVD. The plot wasn't terrible, but the acting and effects were just god awful. After the crap fest that was Starship Troopers 2 Bold Films and Stage 6 thought it was a good idea to make Starship Troopers 3: Marauder. The film worked out well bring back Casper Van Dien and bringing in the hot Jolene Blalock along with a decent script, good acting, and above average effects, but even with that it was still just an average film, so I was surprised to hear there was another film coming out especially that I heard very little about it, but when I saw it at Red Box I decided to give it a try, and I was very pleasantly surprised.
As I said earlier in my review Starship Troopers: Invasion is a surprisingly really good film. The story follows the starship Alesia and their group of marines as they arrive at The Federation asteroid base Fort Casey, which has been overrun by bugs. It seems like a simple job for Lieutenant Tony Daugherty and his men, but things get complicated when Carl Jenkins the Minister of Paranormal Warfare commandeers the John A. Warden from his longtime Friend Carmen Ibanez and disappears. The Alesia her marines, Carmen and the prisoner Major Henry Varro chase after him on orders from General Johnny Rico. The story follows the universe of the films as it is a continuation. I won't give anymore way except to say the story is great, but better than the three previous films. The only real flaw with the film was the characters. That is a problem with films with a ton of characters like war films. For example The Thin Red Line it's a really good film, but is really hurt by the overabundance of characters. There are a lot of characters in Starship Troopers: Invasion to many for having real character growth. Many don't live long enough for you to care. Still there are some that stand out like Trig the women sniper of the team, and a private nicknamed Holyman. Obviously he is a religious man, and he was a good character. Of course the returning characters were good as well including Rico, Carmen and Carl. I wish studio that made the film had gotten Casper, Denise and especially Neil to do the voices of the characters. Still the voice actors did a good job voicing the characters, and it was interesting to see how the characters have grown and changed. The only character I didn't really like was Major Henry Varro nicknamed "Hero". The writers tried to make you care about him, but it didn't work he just felt like a useless character.
Of course with this movie being a computer animated film I have to talk about the animation along with the action. Now I'm no expert in graphics or animation, so I only go by what I think is good, and in my opinion the computer animation was great. The film was really detailed, and you could see the expressions and emotion along with the pain and sadness in the characters faces. The detail of the ships and bases was really well done as well. Then there was the action, which there was of course a lot of, and it was brilliantly done with the bugs, explosions, fire fights and bloodshed. It is riveting and even if the characters aren't the best in the world the action will keep you glued to the film.
Starship Troopers: Invasion overall is a great film, with great animation and action along with a really good story, good voice acting and decent characters. It is definitely the best Starship Troopers film I highly recommend everyone see especially if you're a fan of the films and book, but is it the best adaption of Robert A. Heinlein's classic novel no. That honor goes to Roughnecks: Starship Troopers Chronicles the excellent 1999 animated series that ran for 36 episodes. Sadly it got canceled before it could come to a conclusion. It uses the characters from the films, but takes a different route that works really well along with the animation which was great. The series goes in depth into the character's lives as well as brings some characters from the novel as well as introducing new ones. I highly recommend both this film and the animated series if you're a fan of the novel and films or you're a Sci-fi fan in general.
I am going to see the new Sci-fi film Branded this weekend. It looks really interesting and I'm a big fan of Max von Sydow. I have been since I saw Needful Things and then the HBO Citizen X, which is a great film and one of the best made for TV films ever. Branded will be the first film I've wanted to see in the theater since the Bourne film four weeks ago. I will have a review up sometime Saturday or earlier.
Reviewer’s Rating: 9
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Jan 10, 2009
Finally a great Resident Evil movie, it's about time.
I saw this in the video store and decided to check it out. I've waited so long for a good Resident Evil movie. The first one was decent but nothing special. The second was really bad, and the third could have been good but ended up being terrible.
It wasn't until Capcom decided to make their own movie, animated through CGI that we got a good RE movie. The story is a hell of a lot better than the life action movie following some terrorist releasing the T-Virus, and corporate espionage.
The main characters are Leon and Claire from
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Resident Evil 2. The are clearly brought to life through CGI. Along with other great characters you end up caring for. The voice acting is really well done, a excellent job.
The CGI is breathtaking and is truly life like.
Overall skip the bad fake Resident Evil movies and see the real life one, that you'll love whether you're a fan of the games or not.
Reviewer’s Rating: 10
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Dec 20, 2008
When this series first came out I didn't pay any attention to it. About two months ago my older brother bought the box set and he loved it and a week ago he let me borrow it. The anime is loosely based off the comic which I read and really liked. Still I wasn't expecting to much from the series but I was wrong.
The story was very good. Focusing on the mother( Masane) and daughter(Rihoko) relationship. The Witchblade plays a secondary role in the anime which I thought was good. The two problems with the story was the back
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story of the blade which they never even hinted at. The biggest problem though was the ending. It was plain terrible, you can tell it was rushed. I know there are many reasons a anime series ends to soon. From being unpopular to running out of money, but they could have at least tried to make a coherent ending. They should have extended it to 26 episodes that would have been more than enough time to give a ending to the series.
Perhaps the best part of the series were the characters. Masane and Rihoko were great as mother and daughter. They brought the emotion to the series and you end up really caring for them. The other characters from Reiji, Hiroki, Shiori and the rest all add something to the series.
The animation done by GONZO was brilliant, but what do expect from one of the best anime studios. The music was also outstanding.
Overall a great anime worth watching, but prepare to be a little let down with the ending.
Reviewer’s Rating: 9
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Oct 10, 2008
I tried, I really tried to make it through this series. I really don't like dropping anime series when I am this close to the end. Sadly I just couldn't take it anymore.
This one was a mediocre to bad romance/comedy anime series. The characters were uninteresting and on some levels very annoying. I kept waiting for the series to go some where. I know romance anime sometimes start off slow like Love Hina, Onegai Teacher, Suzuka and others, but this one went no where. The animation done by Gonzo and AIC was the best part of the
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series. What Gonzo gets involved in is good, but even they couldn't save this series. The music was also decent but nothing special.
Overall another average to bad romance/comedy anime series.
Reviewer’s Rating: 5
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