This past weekend I sat down to watch the latest Evangelion DVD. Gainax has returned their seminal anime series that debuted in the mid-90’s. The “rebuilds” are a revisiting of the original story, told in four new films. The first three will retell the happenings of the series, while the forth will present a new conclusion. I first watched the series in a bit of a bender when several college friends and I watched every episode in succession our sophomore year.
The DVD recently came out in Japan, and I finally felt mentally prepared this weekend to dive into the film. Although I missed not having the movie open with the original theme, Cruel Angel’s Thesis, I was instantly struck with the visual beauty of the presentation. The film has many shots similar (if not identical) to those that can be found in the original series, and so you can’t help but notice how much better everything looks this time around. Throughout my viewing I had a continuous string of “wow” moments as I smiled in appreciation at being able to soak in the visual upgrade.
In terms of story, the first film tackles the first six episodes of the series. While certain sacrifices have to be made in order to compress the story into the film-sized chunk, I actually enjoyed absorbing the story through a film’s narrative. They did an excellent job of not just making the film feel like a stilted stitching of the episodes, but instead they sprinkled various elements across the duration of the movie to help provide a cohesive story arc. Of course, the movie’s ending provides little closure, but I’d put it on emotional par with Empire Strikes Back, if not a little more upbeat.
I’m not going to even begin to delve into the mythology in this post; that is worthy of a book. I will say that if you haven’t experienced “Eva”, you owe it to yourself to do so. If you can happen to track down this DVD, definitely give it a watch.
One would think that the combined brain-power of the masterminds behind heavyweights like Fullmetal Alchemist and Spider-Man would be able to come up with a more compelling title for their joint venture than Hero Man. Well, unfortunately, they didn’t. However, this television series collaboration between Stan Lee and Studio Bones could turn out to be a crossover mecha hit.
American and Japanese animation have had a deep level of reciprocal influence as each seems to cycle through influencing the other. This fusion demonstrates how the TV markets may be starting to converge. However, I think it will be a long time before we see American animation creating the compelling content of an equal caliber to their Japanese counterparts. But with the contributions of Pixar and certain burts of genius like Batman the Animated Series there is hope. Perhaps Hero Man will help accelerate the maturity of american animation.
April 25th is an important day to me. No, it isn’t a holiday nor a family memeber’s birthday, but it is a historical day. Today is the day that the new Neon Genesis Evangelion Movie, Evangelion 1.0: You Are (Not) Alone, comes out on DVD in Japan. This retelling is the first of four films that will cover the complete story arc as well as an all-new ending. While I certainly can’t condone piracy, if you happen to have a friend flying back from Japan today who happens to be willing to personally subtitle the whole film for you, I would definitely recommend it. Check out the trailer for the film below.
“Ghost in the Shell” helped cement my love of cyberpunk and sparked my interest in how the web can serve as a manifestation of our collective subconscious. I have an original pencil-sketch from the movie that greets me every time I come home. So when I came across the following news, I gagged a little.
According to this article on Anime News Network, DreamWorks has optioned “Ghost in the Shell” and will be turning it into a live-action film. This was something I joked about when I heard that “Akira” would be getting a similar makeover. It seems that as Hollywood runs out of comic book plots to maim they are turning to seminal anime films.
DreamWorks, I implore you, please do not make this another “Ultra Violet”. Do this film justice. Restore my faith in mankind. Seriously.
Last week I wrote about the new Batman animated project. Today I present the first teaser for this project. It really seems like it will be an interesting and exciting exploration of the character, and I am pretty thrilled about the prospect of seeing Batman back in his animated glory.
So Batman is coming back, but not just in the live-action feature films. We are going to a get a return to the Dark Knight’s golden years as Bruce Timm, co-creator of the seminal “Batman: The Animated Series”, helms a new collaboration. Much like the “Animatrix” which tied together the original “Matrix” and its sequel, this animated project will embellish upon the upcoming Batman film.
The project, a collection of six short films, is called “Batman: Gotham Knight” and some of the premiere Japanese animation houses will be involved: Production I.G., Madhouse, and Studio 4C. Rumor has it that Kevin Conroy, the voice from the animated series, will be reprising his role in some capacity for the Direct-to-DVD (and Blu-Ray) release. This definitely is a project to follow, and if the previous series is any indicator, it stands to be a thoughtful, gripping, exciting, and thoroughly bad-ass take on our favorite caped-crusader.
Last night I put myself through the psychological trauma that is Hideaki Anno’s re-imagining of the ending of the anime classic, “Neon Genesis Evangelion.” This is the second time I have watched this film. The first was 4 years ago after a non-stop binge with college friends where we watched the whole series without interruption in a marathon session.
While on the surface this series may seems like yet another mecha story, it really is the manifestation of Anno’s own bout with depression that delves into heavily philosophical questions around the nature of the ego. It asks what do we do to prove our own existence to ourselves versus how we gain our sense of reality through others. Shinji is challenged to choose between giving up his individuality in order to find solace through becoming one with others, or to live selflessly and accept that life has pain, and in that altruism gain a sense of individuality. The former is route of complacency and emotional stasis, while the latter will bring about inevitable personal pain, but also the potential for great joy. Shinji’s choice will literarily determine the fate of the world.
The key to the film’s ideology lies in the line: “the beginning and the end are one and the same”.
Four years later, the iconography and imagery still struck me. It continually pushes you with poignant commentary, and it reminded me why it was such a formative viewing in my development as an anime fan. The only downside to this film is that you really should watch the preceeding 26 episodes to truly appreciate this masterpiece. A third take on the series will hit DVD in Japan this April.
The word on the street is that Leonardo DiCaprio and Warner Brothers are teaming up to make a live-action version of “Akira”. They will take the manga story arc and split it into two films; the first one will be released in 2009. The setting will be changed from “Neo-Tokyo” to “New Manhattan”.
Really? Really? Does this really need to be done? Are there no “Titanic” sequel scripts lying around that LeoDio can lend his creative energies to?
This is now the second anime film near and dear to my heart to be getting the live-action treatment. “Neon Genesis Evangelion” is also in production, with WETA at the effects helm. Are anime remakes the next script-factory that Hollywood will be turning to once we run out of comic books? How long until Mila Jovovich is cast as Major Kusanagi in a new “Ghost in the Shell” film?
In light of the recent announcements swirling about Blu-Ray’s defeat of HD-DVD, I decided to go out and buy my first Blu-Ray discs. i swung by Amoeba Music and picked up “Paprika” and “Tekkonkinkreet”, since I figured that animation would really pop in HD. I made the plunge into hi-def viewing by inaugurating my PS3 with “Tekkonkinkreet”.
As I sat absorbing this gritty tale of orphans taking on gangsters, I was amazed at how the cripsness and brilliance helped immerse me in the film. The film centers on two codependent children, Black and White, who challenge rival street urchins as well as the Yakuza in a territorial battle over “Treasure Town”. The film deals heavily with the question of finding balance: in the development of city, in the control of the town, in the power of friendship, and within one’s own psyche. The ethereal tone of the film highlights animation’s power to forge fantastic worlds.
There is no better way to celebrate the imminent demise of HD-DVD and the end of the “Format Wars” than by enjoying some hi-def goodness. Will I repurchase my entire movie collection? No. Is having a single format better for consumers? Certainly. Is direct-download going to replace physical media? Eventually. Is there a better way to handle this migration as well as a more convenient model for content ownership in the digital age? That is a whole other blog post…
I never turn down the chance to see anime on the big screen. Luckily, as an L.A. resident, the opportunity does occasionally present itself, usually through midnight showings or special premieres tied to cultural centers. Next weekend, the American Cinematheque will be presenting three of Hayao Miyazaki’s phenomenal films in a Studio Ghibli showcase at the Aero Theatre in Santa Monica:
Friday, February 1
7:30pm - “Nausicaa of the Valley of the Wind”
Saturday, February 2
3:00pm - “My Neighbor Totoro”
Saturday, February 2
7:30pm - “Spirited Away”
This is a rare opportunity to sample Miyazaki’s craft in a theater setting, and you owe it to yourself to experience his storytelling. If you don’t consider yourself an “anime” fan or simply have never seen a Miyazaki film, I assure you that you will find these films captivating, your imagination sated, and leave with a smile on your face. I have already bought my tickets to all three at fandango.com, and let me know in the comments if you are planning on attending.
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