Overview: Released the same year as Akira, this Masamune Shirow story is far more an artifact of 80s Anime, whereas Akira points the way to how anime will look in the 90s. This early Mecha movie is violent, profanity laden and action packed, with a really nice story and interesting philosophical undertones. And interestingly, this is one of the very few animes where the English track is actually the best one.

The Story: Appleseed takes place in a dystopian future, in which a city called Olympus has been engineered to be a created as a perfect refuge from the rest of the world. Many of the inhabitants have been bio-engineered “biodroids,” which are half-human, half-cyborgs designed to serve specific roles in the society. An all-powerful computer named GIA controls all city functions, and is just now starting to become responsible for the defense systems. Olympus is so controlled that there is little diversity or struggles required from its inhabitants.

A cyborg terrorist named Sabastian has made it his mission to destroy GIA. He finds a kindred soul in a disenchanted police officer, who’s wife committed suicide after she couldn’t stand living such a controlled existence. They plot to take over the prototype impenetrable tank in order to kill Gia and destroy Olympus. The movie centers around the mecha-laden Swat police force aligning their forces to stop them. In addition to heavy violence, we get MASSIVE amounts of F-bombs dropped here. Its actually rather cool seeing the amount of profanity that is used here - far more than one would expect from an anime such as this.

Deunan, a hot police chick and Briareos, a bug-like looking cyborg are Swat team members assigned to stop the terrorists. Incidentally, these two are clearly the precursors for Major Motoko Kusanagi and her cyborg partner, Bateau. While Deunan keeps her clothes on and doesn’t have Motoko’s intelligence, she definitely fills the same roll. Spunkiness is her middle name. The rest of the group, including Sebastian the terrorist, and the rest of the police force all provide decent support.

The animation here is still mostly 80s american style. Additionally, unlike the anime of the 90s, the backgrounds are often single, simple colors. While some animation scenes are rather cool, others are really more simple than you’d want. Definitely, the majority of the animation effort is about highlighing Dunan - she definitely looks better than everything else around her. Also, the sound is 80s keyboard music. Sometimes it works, but mostly its just distracting.

There are a number of messages that Appleseed puts forth. Looking at it today, the most disturbing message deals with Olympus’ rather extreme attempts to protect and inculcate itself from outside terrorists. The symbol for this is a bird in a cage. Considering that the US is in the throws of working this exact issue, Appleseed gives us a stark reminder that we can easily lose the soul of our society while attempting to protect it. Additionally, there are somewhat brief inquiries into what “life” is when examining whether biodroids should be valued similar to humans.

The Bottom Line: Appleseed is a good example of very early Japanese Anime. While its nowhere near the top in terms of animation, the Masamune Shirow’s story is high quality. Truly, the story is why you want to watch this. While the 2004 version definitely wins out on superior graphics, I think the 1988 version is a tighter, more interesting storyline. And if you’ve read the Applesead Manga, then the story, especially the beginning, works far better. You will find yourself becoming connected to the lead characters. But most impressive is the pacing. Appleseed packs an incredible amount of story in 68 minutes - truly, there’s very little fat here.

Yes, the top graphic doesn’t line up right now and looks stupid with the tag line hanging out. Please bare with me. I’m working on this. Don’t be surprised if you see the top and layout change on a pretty regular basis today.

UPDATE: Please tell me if in viewing this page, the header graphic doesn’t line up with the left side of the green navigation table. I’m viewing this in Firefox (my preferred) and in Internet Explorer, and it seems to line up right. I need to know if this looks hoaky in other browers.

And yes, I’m still trying to figure out how to eliminate the space between the header graphic and the navbar, not to mention the space on the top of the graphic. Also, I have credits for the header graphic listed in my footer.

There has been a movement afoot to create a new sub-genre called post-cyberpunk. I’m not sure where this all started, but Wikipedia claims it started with an article by Lawrence Person, titled “Notes toward a Postcyberpunk Manifesto.” The essence of the distinction appears to be that in cyberpunk, the future is seen as bleak and largely caused by technology, whereas in post-cyberpunk, technology IS society. Post-cyberpunk proponents claim that their heroes fight truth, justice and the postcyberpunk way (enhancing the established social order versus destroying it), whereas in cyberpunk, the heroes are at best, neutral.

While Person’s article is a good read, and while this may have been a relevant distinction after the initial burst of cyberpunk works in the 80s followed by the relative lull of the early 90s (which also prompted an update to the “Paul is Dead” chant, then known as “Cyberpunk is dead”), I have serious doubts about its applicability today. At this point (2006), I think its usefulness as a term has past. Most who use this term seem to just “naturally” assume that post-cyberpunk means all cyberpunk-like things that were created after 1989. As the genre has progressed, it seems to me that post-cyberpunk has become a distinction without meaning. Cyberpunk has long since expanded past its literary roots, and has invaded most every form of media possible. From a myriad of muscial examples such as Rammstein to RPGs such as cyberpunk 2.0, to various video games such as Half-life and Deus Ex, to fine art such as the DarkArt’s site, to graphic novels like Transmetropolitan, cyberpunk has emerged as a far greater holding bin than was originally conceived. With this in mind, as the self-appointed keeper of all that is good and right in cyberpunk (this is what others are doing, no?), I’m officially raising the bullshit flag on this term. In other words, “It’s dead, Jim.” This emperor has no clothes. More…

Overview: Immortel is one of the 3 all blue or green screen movies made in 2004, and is based on graphic novel, the Enki Bilal’s Nikopol trilogy, one of the best cyberpunk graphic novels ever made. Immortel provides us another cyberpunk dystopian future where an all powerful genetics engineering company called Eugenics has wreaked havoc upon most humanoid life forms. While the movie doesn’t make exactly how this dystopian future occurred, the Nikopol Trilogy (1999) relates that two nuclear wars were the primary cause.  Additional contributors to a further breakdown in an already horribly diseased society include the all-powerful, oppressive Eugenics corporation which appears to be trying to cheat death through various modern “vampiristic” means.  Body modification is the order of the day for most of the masses, who are continually getting skin grafts and organ transplants to mitigate the effects of the various natural and genetically derived diseases that impact all aspects of life. 

Interestingly though, in the graphic novel, Biblal set the time in 2023 - 30 years after Nikopol was sent into space for these crimes.   Clearly, the novel deals with an alternate reality to our own time, whereas setting Immortel so far into the future, Bilal seems to indicate that he thinks this quality of cyberpunk future may be further out than he originally thought.

In case things weren’t crappy enough, life gets even complicated when the Egyptian Gods’ Pyramid appears - apparently the Egyptian god Horus is about to be sentenced to death by Anubis for his actions, but he is given a final 7 day furlough (one beat of an immortal heart) first. His decides to use this time to find a special woman, one of a few in the universe who can be impregnated by a God. This will allow Horus to cheat death (yes, cheating death is a pretty common theme in this). He has come to earth because his godly intuition tells him that such a woman has just arrived on earth through void between worlds. To do so, he needs to find a healthy host, but unfortunately, everyone he invades his tainted with disease and pollutants - along comes Nikopol to the rescue.  Twenty-nine years prior to the time of the movie (2095), a rebel named Nikopol had galvanized public opinion against Eugenics, and for this, was sentenced to 30 years hibernation. Through an unfortunate accident, his cryogenics pod transport malfunctions and crashes, spilling his frozen body (minus his leg, which breaks off) out onto a bridge.  Horus finds his body  settles on Nicopol because his body, unlike virtually everyone else alive, has not been corrupted by pollutants and synthetic organs.  Horus repairs Nikopol by transforming a very heavy steel rail into Nikapol’s leg. Now, if Nikapol wants to walk (the leg is quite heavy), he will need to abide by Horus’s wishes - which includes a contant need by Horus to take over Nikapol’s body. 

Horus, the god, and Nikopol the "terrorist" now team up to go in pursuit of a woman with white skin and blue hair (and, um blue "other" parts). It turns out that this woman, named Jill, is very mysterious in that she has no prior memories, and apparently has only been inhabiting her current body for 3 months.  She is guided by a benefactor named John, who appears to be a traveler between worlds.  The story proceeds with Jill being captured and studied by a friendly Eugenics researcher and Nikapol/Horus seeking her out.  Unfortunately, Eugenics has discovered Nikapol’s escape (by analyzing the leg), and have sent genetically enhanced shark-like nasties after him to kill him.  

Unfortunately, there is too much going on in this movie for it all to be worked out to proper satisfaction. The pacing feels haphazard and rushed, and many interesting threads are simply not pursued to the extent I would have liked. Some scenes simply stick out like a sore thumb, without a real purpose. While I think Bilal chooses the “key” thread to complete his movie, Immortel seems begging for an extended edition type thing, where the extra meat and guts can be properly filled. Instead we are left with many interesting and completely unanswered questions. On the plus side, there is nice chemistry between Kretchman and Hardy - they have some nice love scenes and cool dialogue moments.

The Visuals: Wow, if there was ever a tough one to rate the visuals, Immortel fits the bill. The background scenery and many of the shots are simply stupendous - really some of the best shots I’ve seen on film are in this. The blue-haired chick, Jill, is totally sexy. Yet at the same time, for whatever reason, only 3 of the primary characters in Immortel are “real,” and the rest are poorly rendered CG characters - about even or maybe a step down from Final Fantasy. Worse, we start off with pretty strange CG Egyptian creatures (where the non-polished effects sort of work), and then jump to real ones, and then spend about 20 minutes with only lousy CG ones before returning to real characters again. Interestingly, the CG characters start getting better near the end. Its almost as if they had a separate company do these and they were learning on the job. The Bottom line with the characters though is that I see no reason why they didn’t use real actors - this would have been cheaper and more realistic. This is an example of someone getting a little too cute with the technology.

This is a shame, because again, the background scenery, and some of the shots themselves are simply breathtaking. Especially their use of a the various color palettes are simply phenomenal.  Cityscapes are all done in grey-blue hue, whereas various other shots are either a dark gold-blue tone or a neon green-blue tone. Some of the creatures, specifically the Hammerhead “Dayak” shark creature is phenomenal. When he “oozes” out of the bathtub, EVERYONE watching will get the eebee-jeebees! There is a great chase scene similar to the Fifth element where the police are chasing after the two leads while this incredibly cool Dayak shark sleaks after them along the buildings. Its to the point that I refuse to believe that the DG the company who did this shark is the same one who who animated the poorly rendered people.

The Sound: Immortel comes with DTS sound, which is terrific. Even though this is a French film, the dialogue is in English, so no subtitles (for me) are required, except for in the Egyptian God discussions and the final monologue, which is in French. The score and music choices are absolutely spot on. They continually raise the tone and tenor of Immortel to something interesting and other-worldly. I haven’t searched for the soundtrack to Immortel, but it’s good enough that I
probably will.

The Bottom Line: I wish there was another thirty minutes of story in Immortel to flush out the blind spots. I also wish they had used real actors for everyone instead of the CG characters. Had both of these happened, Immortel would definitely rate 10 stars.  Both the pacing and most especially the CG characters were bad decisions which hurt the movie. But even having these detractors, there is enough of Immortel to make this a MUST SEE for any cyberpunk fan (and for god sakes, get the graphic novel if you haven’t already!). There are many immersive shots, augmented with wonderful sound, that left my jaw hanging (check out page 2 of this review for more screenshots). I also found enough of a story to really enjoy this - and there’s something to be said for leaving an air of mysteriousness to the film.

Immortel Page 2: More Screen Caps –>>

~See movies similar to this one~

~~~UPDATE: REVIEW FOR ULTRAVIOLET POSTED~~~

Yeah, OK, it appears pretty darn derivative (the trailer even has music from the original Matrix in it), but it definitely looks cool! What can I say? Hawt chicks in leathers kicking butt just work for me. Mila Jovovich looks like she fills the tough cyberpunk chick role well. If I’m guessing on how I rate this, I’m thinking it’ll garner high on the cyberpunk visuals and low on the cyberpunk themes scale.

Fangora has a description of the plot: Written and directed by Kurt (EQUILIBRIUM) Wimmer, ULTRAVIOLET takes place in the late 21st century, where a subculture of humans called Hemophages (i.e. blood drinkers) has emerged. The Hemophages have been genetically modified, giving them enhanced speed, incredible stamina and acute intelligence. To the government’s dismay, more and more of the population are being transformed, and, as a civil war looms, they have set out to rid the world of this new race that they now deem menaces to society. One rogue warrior is bent on protecting her people and seeking revenge on those who changed her life forever. With fierce martial-arts skills and chameleonic abilities, Violet (Jovovich) sets out to destroy a government-designed time bomb that will wipe out all Hemophages.

Check out the trailer for Ultraviolet in HD - definitely fun stuff!

And there’s a whole site of cool screencaps to check out. I’ll post more on this as we get closer to launch (March 3).

EDIT: Ultraviolet has been pushed back to March 3rd.

Just a note on my Japanese Cyberpunk reviews. I’ve decided that in order to review these properly, I need to show some of the truly graphic shots. So far I’ve done this with I.K.U. and the just-updated Tetsuo, and I will certainly do this with Rubber’s Lover (review not up yet) and others as I review them. Why? Many reasons:

1. You really cannot understand what Japanese cyberpunk is about without seeing the visuals. The “no boundaries” aspect of these films involve the most intense visuals one can imagine. To me this means my reviews are incomplete unless I include the more graphic ones.
2. Chances are, most of you will never decide to watch these films. The textual reviews on the first page just don’t do them justice.
3. Worse, if you do decide to get them, and I just give you a taste (on the first page of the review) without really giving you a sense of what to expect, you really won’t be prepared for what you get. By showing you the more explicit pictures, you’ll know what you’re buying.

Again, I’m guessing for most, you will find these images beyond the pale. But, um, that’s the intent. I’m not trying to glorify what’s depicted, but I do think it’s necessary to see these if you really want to understand the genre as expressed in movies. I will clearly identify that these type of images are behind the link, so you won’t be surprised. So if you strongly object to these images (for a variety of very valid reasons), then the easy answer is don’t click on them.

And BTW, for me to decide to spend the time to do detailed screencaptures of a movie, the movie has to rank at least as high as 6 stars. I simply am not going to spend the time doing this on movies that are substandard. This rules out Tetsuo II: Bodyhammer, for instance.

I am slowly putting up the functionality that I’m hoping will work here.

I need your feedback on the movie navigation: OK, I’ve added a list at the bottom of each of individual movie pages that links to all the movies with the same “category tags” as the movie you are viewing. To get to this quickly, I’ve also added a link titled “See movies similar to this one” at the end of the review that takes you down to it, and another link at the bottom of the page that takes you back to the top.

But I need to know - Does this stuff work on your browsers? And is it intuitive?

• Common, I see that over 700 different people have come here so far in under the two weeks I’ve been up. Help me by commenting here if you like it or hate it! Thanks

Here are two representative pages you can try the links at the bottom. One has links to a second page with more screen caps. Does this seem intuitive or no?

• Review with a second page link
• Review with no second page

30 Movies up now: OK, I’m close to a third of the way done More…