Intelligent and well-made

Rating: 10/10 (24 March 2006)

This movie definitely lived up to the hype. I was so impressed about how many allusions --and how many there were-- and how well they were built into the film. So much symbolism and thinking involved, but at the same time, some great action scenes. It made me think of quite a few different works...the most obvious being the Count of Monte Cristo, the theme of which they incorporated very well, but I also got vibes from Spartacus, Ghost in the Shell, and many different ideas. I was just blown away by how well the movie was made. And it never descends into sappiness, though at times, if i have one criticism, about how the romance was a little contrived, but it never really develops to the point of sappiness (again, Batou/Motoko vibes, lol...or Edmond and Haydee?) This movie is really worth the 8 dollars in the theaters.