Wildly slick and original ride

Rating: Null/10 (30 January 2004)

Akira is an anime classic. The plot revolves around a bunch of motor-riding punks who accidentally get caught up in a Japanese military / government experiment. Tetsuo, a gang member, is subjected to various scientific tests where he develops a latent psychic ability. When he is unable to handle the new found powers - he takes it out on the world. I've been a big fan of this film since it's release in the 80s. It brought a new darker, more adult orientated wave of animation to an unsuspecting audience. The film's animation is still astonishing - it was the first Japanese anime to use the Western process of recording the actors before developing the animation - and it shows. It looks more realistic and gritty - less cheesy than other anime contemporaries. The plot and character development for an anime film is second to none - it doesn't hold up and isn't compromising for audiences who don't pay attention. The new English "re-dub" is much more recommended than the original - it actually makes the ending less complicated and cryptic. A wildly slick and original ride for those who are into futuristic sci-fi films.