The Big O, Vol. 4
In the final collection of this 1999 art deco-accented mecha series, the filmmakers attempt to meld elements from previous episodes into a climactic confrontation between Negotiator Roger Smith and the forces of evil. The linked episodes "Enemy Is Another Big" and "R.D." start to tie together the mysterious plague that destroyed humanity's memories, schemes to restore those memories (or implant false ones), the origins of Roger's giant Megadeus robot, the sinister plans of Paradigm Corporation head Alex Rosewater, the plots of the screeching villain Schwartzwald, and the true nature of Roger's cyber-girl Friday Dorothy. But this baroque story line was supposed to pay off in the second season ofThe Big O, which was never produced, and the adventure simply ends. The images of terror victims leaping from a burning skyscraper in "Enemy Is Another" may disturb some viewers. (Rated 13 and older: violence, minor profanity)--Charles Solomon