A blending mix of beauty, ultraviolence, action and intelligence

Rating: 10/10 (28 April 2003)

First of all, let's state that 'Akira' definitely holds interest for cineasts in general, not only those with an interest in anime.
I'm sorry to say that I'm not as familiar with the original manga (=comic book) 'Akira' as I would like to be, but the graphic novels are kind of hard to get by where I live and expensive.
I do know however that the film translation of 'Akira' doesn't come close to match the rich intrigue presented in the manga, and that many characters have been given less importance and screening time, if any at all. Then again, not too surprising, considering the comic was running for over ten years.
The setting of the movie is in Neo-Tokyo, about 38 years after a mysterious and extremely lethal weapon wiped the whole original town out. That's when World War Three started: since then most of the town has been rebuilt, except for the heart of the city that to this day remains empty. Post-war Japan is far from a peaceful and stable place to be in, though. Both religious fanatics, awaiting the return of the great 'Akira', and discontent revolutionaries cause violent riots from time to time, which is violently struck down by the military. There is also a great deal of unrest in the government: corrupt politicians and an army, that will maintain order at any cost, fight about who's more fit to save Neo-Tokyo from itself.
*I wouldn't call this a spoiler really, rather an introduction to the plot - but I figured I'd give a warning first. You decide*
All this political nonsense doesn't get to social misfits and vigilant bikers Kaneda and Tetsuo though. They're just happy to hang around the local bar with bikerfriends...oh, and that occasional pill and bloody confrontation with other gangs of course.
All this changes though when their gang is racing around in the heart of old Tokyo, after a confrontation with nemesises 'The Clowns'. Tetsuo collides with an odd-looking boy, standing in the middle of the road. Though Tetsuo is seriously hurt, the boy not only remains without a scratch but disappears right in front of Kaneda's eyes. From this on, things just get shadier and shadier...the military is called in, and Tetsuo is taken away. Through his encounter with this mysterious boy it seems something has awakened in Tetsuo. Something extremely special - or something extremely dangerous. In his search for his lost friend, Kaneda gets in touch with enigmatic and attractive revolutionary Kei and soon finds him drawn into something way beyond his understanding. Politicians, revolutionaries, scientists and army alike seems to have their mind bent on something mysterious called 'Akira'. But exactly what is it, and why are they so anxious to get to it?
*End of possible spoiler*
'Akira' is usually described mostly as a violent movie, not giving much thought for plot or moral. Don't let them fool you: though it cannot be denied that it contains a fair amount of violent action - and at some points - gore, this is a movie with an extremely rich plot and complex intrigues. It constantly keeps you on the edge, even after a couple of viewings, and I always find new dimensions to it. Also, Katsuhiro Ötomo's truly creates something unique and stunningly beautiful with his portrait of a Tokyo close to the brink of ruin. And then there's the music...or the ending...to put it short, never before has the apocalypse been so beautiful.
10/10