Title: Akira
Format Reviewed: Criterion Collection LaserDisc (CAV)
Viewer Ratings:
- Violence: 3
- Nudity: 2.5
- Maturity: 3
- Sexuality: 3
Movie Type Ratings:
- Comedy: 1
- Action: 3
- Drama: 4
- Romance: 1
- Adventure: 2
Quality Ratings:
- Animation - Character: 4.5
- Animation - Background: 4.5
- Plot: 4
- Sound: 4.5
- Recording: 5
- Extras: 5
Plot Quickie:
In a decaying Neo-Tokyo, rebel bikers accidentally stumble upon a secret
military research project on psychic phenomena. Neo-Tokyo is about to
explode!
Plot Keywords:
Future, Cyberpunk, Military, Psychic, Rebels, Bikers, Political,
Apocalypse
Comments:
It really isn't fair, but you have to compare against something. Akira
is what all other anime is going to be compared against for a long time.
With well over a dozen major anime studios contributing to this
masterpiece, it's no wonder this is still the best. Smooth
animation, smooth computer assists, and lips synched to the voice actors,
Akira does that which makes Disney so wonderful, without the Disney
hangups.
My gripes (minor):
I am not entirely fond of the character style; it's
just a personal preference, but the motions and faces bother me just
slightly. The plot is a bit disjointed; in typical anime style, the
writers leave out just enough of the background to keep you on your
toes. The voice actors could have been a bit better on the English
side of the house, but it is still better than most.
My likes:
If you have to get Akira, and you own a LaserDisc, get this
disc! Criterion has dual-language, lots of trailer bits, and adds back
in the 4 minutes cut for the English VHS tape (I think it was just random
frames - I couldn't point out an actual scene). The action is great,
the plot is original, and the art is to die for.