Nexus Wookie
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Joined: 24/9/2011
From: the Godcity
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AKIRA(1988)
Akira; what a film! This animated masterpiece from Katsuhiro Otomo based on his excellent Manga, changed the whole Anime landscape. It changed the way people viewed Anime in the west and kick-started the whole Anime/Manga craze.
Manga
I remember being hooked on the monthly release of Manga Mania magazine. They had Akira as one of their long running comic series and I was glued to the pages every month. It was like nothing i'd seen before. The art by Otomo was beautiful to behold, with aweinspiring detail of Neo Tokyo.
The film version is much different than the comic on which it is based. Of course it's hard to edit 2,000 plus pages of a comic into a 2 hour film - but Otomo managed it with great effect. From the opening scene the viewer is immediatly grabbed and flung into Neo Tokyo. We are introduced to the biker gang's causing rampage through the streets of Neo Tokyo as they hunt out one another. The detail of the opening scenes, the animation and the quality of it is simply beautiful to behold. Nothing is left out, even the light's from the bike light's take a second extra to fade away from the screen.
Story
The story is set in the year 2019 in Neo Tokyo. The film opens with an explosion which destroys the old Tokyo (the ghosts of Hiroshima still weigh heavy on the Japanese psyche - and Otomo's opening scenes are no doubt a reminder of that devestating event). In it's wake Neo Tokyo is built with towering sky scraper's reminiscent of Fritz Lang's Metropolis and Ridley Scott's Blade Runner. The plot revolves around warring -biker gang's, shadowy goverment people, terrorists, psychic manipulation, body-horror. But the main story revolves around friendship. Friendship between two character's, orpan's Kaneda and Tetsuo. Tetsuo is forvever the weakling of the pack, he resents the fact that he is always being rescued by Kaneda and he feels he has a point to prove. At the same time the goverment is doing test's on three withered children with huge psychic abilities. Soon Tetsuo's path is crossed with one of these psychic children, and he his life takes a turn for the worst. He is taken by the military and a number of tests are done on him. The scientist's are astounded by the psychic energy which Tetsuo shows signs of. Little do they know what they will awaken and the devestating consequences this will entail.
Animation
The plot is very intricate, but never confusing. No one second of the 120 minutes is wasted on screen. I found it one of the most engaging, spectacular animated films I had seen. The level of detail in this film is astounding, from the rubbish that litters the alleyways, to the movement of a character's eyes. As I stated earlier, the opening scenes which show cases the sprawling city scape, and the bike chases is simply breath-taking.
Score
One of the reason's Akira is a such a unique viewing experience is the majestic music! Its performed by Geinoh Yamashirogumi - a popular group in Japan. One of my favourite track's by them is the opening score called 'Kaneda' it is absolutely brilliant, using sound's which are unique and very 'ethnic' sounding to the ears, as well as using their voices to create a musical masterpiece. The music of Akira moves me like no other animated film does. It is rich, unique and absolutely mesmerising to behold.
Favourite scenes
Tetsuo's nightmare
One of my favourite scenes (out of many) from the film is the hospital scene where Tetsuo has the hallucination's. The music is immensly chilling and every time I view this scene I have to have the light's on! Tetsuo lies in the bed, thirsty for a glass of water. Watch how the glass falls to the ground leaving a trail of water as it does so. Again its these small details which make this film visually impressive. Coming back to the scene, Tetsuo has a hallucination where three minature toys climb onto his bed, listen out for the music it is very playful. But it soon changes as the wall's break down and a giant teddybear emerges through it! One of its hand is shaped like a snake snapping out to frighten it's victim. Tetsuo is being attacked by the three psychic children who fear him. They know what powers he conceal's and are all too aware of the danger's it represent's. But it only enrages him further. It is an astonishing scene and one which amazes me with every viewing.
Flashback's
I also love the poetic flashback's in the film where we see a young Kaneda and Tetsuo meeting for the first time. They're both bullied at school by the older kids and Kaneda takes Tetsuo. Under his wings. In another scene we see both friend's drawing chalk pictures on the playground together. It show's both their relationship and how close they were as kids. Another scene show's the three psychic children in school. Their head's are bandaged and they perform psychic test's for the scientist's who watch in astonishment as if these innocent children are mere guinea pig's. We also get a glimpse of Akira, the child whose psychic power is responsible for the destruction of old Tokyo. Coupled with the majestic score these are moment's from the film which really seer themselves onto the memory.
'The light of Tetsuo'
It's hard not to be moved by this scene, as we see Kaneda kneeling on the ground, clasping the fading 'light of Tetsuo' in his hand's. His friend is no more, and although they had their differences, they were still friends. And Kaneda understood Tetsuo like no other. It is a poignant ending to a fascinating film. And one which I find hard to shake from my feeling's no matter how many times I view it.
Conclusion
Akira still hold's the power to move, and engage over 20 years after its release. And it is as vital as ever. It still remain's one of my favourite film's and one I love coming back to from time to time.
Please feel free to discuss this awesome, science-fiction masterpiece!
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My blog: http://nexuswookie.wordpress.com/
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Printable Version
AKIRA - 
I ever saw. Astonishing really. I remember thinking what the fuck when I first saw it, however it does need repeated viewings IMO. 
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