Metropolis (Anime) [DVD]

Moving to the present day, I now own the DVD and the soundtrack and love every minute of this film. Its beauty is only overwhelmed by its shear ingenious and plot twists.

The story unfolds in the three levelled world of metropolis, set in a future Japan where world superpowers still battle out for supremacy. In the development for an ultimate weapon an artificial intelligence is needed to control it, enter Tima.

Tima is the pinnacle of design, practically indistinguishable from a human she becomes lost in the sub levels below metropolis after her masters jealous son becomes enraged. Here she is discovered by Kenichi the young nephew of a private investigator new to the city. Together they escape her master's ploy to recapture her until fate catches up with them.

There are so many great things about this film, and so few bad it is hard to recommend it more highly.

The CG is outstanding and sees some of the best from the Japanese Anime world come together to craft this masterpiece. From the director Rintaro (Galaxy Express 999) and written by the legend that is Katsuhiro Otomo (Akira) this film began life in the best hands.

The Soundtrack is also sublime, seemingly presenting you with a world set in a future version of the 1930's, a mix of anime styles with a bit of Ray Charles "I Can't Stop Loving You", thrown in for good measure.

As I mentioned in the title of this review this is the saddest robot film you will ever see, think Blade Runner meets the comics of Tintin and you will step a little closer to understanding the world this film is based.

As an aside I would also suggest watching the film in its original Japanese language version with the subtitles on, it is far more compelling heard in its original format than with the English dubbing on.

The original manga was inspired by Fritz Lang’s 1926 film masterpiece of the same name, but the very few similarites. As you will see.

The film introduces you to the tri-level world of Metropolis, the most advanced place in the world, also to the place robots play in this society. This is all controlled by Duke Red who has instructed a scientist to build the most advanced robot ever to succed him and have the power to control the entire world. The awakeing of the robot, Tima, is interrupted by Rock - Duke Red’s adopted son – who will not have a robot follow his ‘father’ and will stop at nothing to destroy Tima. He destroy the place and scientist which created Tima, but Tima survives and is found by the Kinichi-San – the young nephew of a Japanese detective. The pair quickly become friends but are constantly pursued by Rock and Duke Red.

The animation of Metropolis is incredible. The combination of old and new provide a unique look that is stunning throughout. One of the stand-out moments is when it starts snowing in Metropolis. The effect caused is nothing short of breathtaking.

The conclusion is one that you will never forget. I won’t give anything away, but it will stay in your head for a long time. It’s moving and the film’s message of humanity comes across.

This film is by far one of the best anime ever made. It’s right up there with Akira and Princess Mononoke in my opinion and destined to be in top ten lists.