Marvellous Japanese Anime - a cross between Blade Runner & Mad Max and so much more!

Rating: 9/10 (20 August 2000)

Although 12 years old now, and looking a little dated (CEL being replaced by the rather more sterile & lifeless CGI), Akira is the grand-daddy of all Japanese Anime films.
I only saw it by accident on TV about four years ago. Flicking idly through the channels one night until I saw what looked liked a rather detailed "cartoon" strip, which later turned out to be the full majesty of Akira.
However, I'd missed about 30 minutes of the film and by the end I was no more the wiser as to what had happened and what it all meant. But in spite of my confusion & ignorance I was simply in awe at the beautiful CEL rendering of a post-war Neo Tokyo.
I had to join a Manga organization to find out where to buy this movie, and when I did I couldn't get home quick enough. Fortunately this was the subtitled version (I have yet to see the dubbed version and in a way I'm glad because usually dubbed films often ruin the whole "feel" of the film)
It is, however, hard work to follow. The story is very detailed and moderately convoluted, not helped by having to read the subtitles while still keeping an eye on what's going on above. It took me at least 4 or 5 repeat viewings to finally get comfortable with the involved storyline but its well worth it in the end, although the last 20 or so minutes does go marginally anal with itself, and just pulls the film down from being a true classic.
It should be remembered that this film is only part of a long-going story of Akira comics, so it's not surprising that our western eyes are a little confused with some of the sub plots & subtle Japanese spiritual & cultural meanings within the film that are never fully explained away.
Many have compared it to Ridley Scott's Blade Runner, not so much with regards the story of course but on the grand visualization of some neo city of the future with its technology & artificial human society.
But IMHO, Akira supercedes even BR not only visually but also at a sub conscious level. Blade Runner lacks any real human attachment or emotional drive, whilst Akira makes you feel part of the crowd looking on at the goings on of a bunch of motor bike riding kids causing mayhem in the streets of Tokyo, but in fact could be any city you wish really.
Personally I prefer Ghost In the Shell, Cyber City & PATLABOR 2, closely followed by Akira, in that order of preference. But Akira is perhaps the most intelligent of these and all the other anime/manga films out there.
Don't confuse this kind of "cartoon" with the likes of Pokemon, there is simply a world...no, a galaxy of difference between the two genres. Akira is a tough, brutal, violent & grim film that will leave you both perplexed & confused by the end. But even if you don't want to be too involved with the story line its worth seeing simply for the majesty of the animation alone.

****/*****