Deservedly a classic

Rating: 10/10 (21 May 2003)

This film is unquestionably one of the best anime films (if not films in general) I have ever seen. The variety and richness of plot, incredible animation and imagery and the sheer mind-blowing total when it all comes together make it amazing.
As far as comparisons go, I don't think contrasting it with other anime does it justice. Undoubtedly, the movie shares many similarities with Princess Mononoke (the endings have an incredibly similar feel), it is sci-fi, and not fantasy as Mononoke is, and feels much deeper.
Instead, I'd compare it to films like Terry Gilliam's Brazil, A Clockwork Orange, and other films as such.
Perhaps the one thing that marred my interest in the film was the music. Don't get me wrong, it's not that I dislike ethnic music (in fact, if I was merely listening to the music I'd enjoy it) but more that the music seemed, at many points, jarringly dissonant from the action onscreen. This is perhaps best evidenced in one of the earlier scenes when Kaneda's proud, thumping theme is played as ultraviolence occurs.
In addition, the beginning of the movie is incredibly difficult to follow the first-time out, and if you don't watch carefully the movie will quickly become incomprehensible. However, by the ending, the elements come together, things become clear, the music finally gains some relevance and it all adds up.
I left this movie totally stunned and blown out of my head. If you watch it, I'm betting you'll have the same reaction.