Akira
The Masterpiece Returns!
In 1988, the landmark Anime film Akira, by director Katsuhiro Otomo, defined the cutting edge of Anime around the world. By today's standards, Akira remains a landmark achievement in cel animation and retains the explosive impact of its highly detailed animation and its intensely violent saga of power and corruption. Pioneer Entertainment proudly presents this classic film, completely restored and digitally re-mastered.
Childhood friends Tetsuo and Kaneda's motorcycle gang encounters a military operation to retrieve an escaped experimental subject. The military captures Tetsuo and conducts experiments on him that unleash his latent psychic ability, but when these new powers rage out of control, Tetsuo lashes out at the world that has oppressed him!
Member Reviews
An anime staple. - Interpolation
Considered by many to be one of the most provoking and visually disturbing japanese anime movies of all time. It also is regarded as one of the top 3 of its genre in the 80's. If you have not seen it then you owe it to yourself to experience one of the most profound movies to come out of japan in the last 30 years. You won't regret you did.Excellent - Totalrecalled
A legendary movie, truely a classic. This is more about the blu-ray itself.
The japanese track is phenominal, with a extremely well translated subtitle track.
The English is alot better then most, but for the best audio go with the japanese.
A must see in blu-ray 1080p, stunning transfer and absolutely incredible.Soon to be remade starring Leonardo DiCaprio (!?!). A masterpiece visually, and, psychologically. - BadChad
After viewing this movie as a young teenager many years ago, I was left both enthralled and confused. The animation is absolutely top teir, and is completely spellbinding to watch. The memory of the movie still stays with me today, and I haven't watched it in about five years.
While the story of Akira and Tetsuo has a strong theme of best friends turned bitter enemies and vengance between the two, the political and scientific backdrop of the movie are like a confusing and disorienting dream. Something about the draining of the public coffers after hosting the Olympics, the aftermath of WWIII, and a secret power power called Akira.
The movie is made by the same artist that wrote and drew the graphic novel series. I was so captivated by the detailed backdrops and timeless art direction(originally released in the 80's!) that I decided to buy the enormous six volume Manga collection. The story is told a little slower and in more detail. As with the movie 2001 by Kubrick, the original story is seriously butchered to make it into a watchable length. Like with 2001, the entire last third of the literary story is completely omitted- detracting greatly from the story.
Nevertheless, despite its somewhat unexplained story, this is just a magic movie all around. The soundtrack too, is brilliant. A kind of psychadellic, yet agressive kabuki theatre score. I really suggest that any adult of any age watch this epic masterpiece to see what hand drawn animation is capable of. 5/5.
Member Reviews
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An anime staple. - Interpolation
Considered by many to be one of the most provoking and visually disturbing japanese anime movies of all time. It also is regarded as one of the top 3 of its genre in the 80's. If you have not seen it then you owe it to yourself to experience one of the most ...Excellent - Totalrecalled
A legendary movie, truely a classic. This is more about the blu-ray itself.
The japanese track is phenominal, with a extremely well translated subtitle track.
The English is alot better then most, but for the best audio go with the japanese.
A must ...Soon to be remade starring Leonardo DiCaprio (!?!). A masterpiece visually, and, psychologically. - BadChad
After viewing this movie as a young teenager many years ago, I was left both enthralled and confused. The animation is absolutely top teir, and is completely spellbinding to watch. The memory of the movie still stays with me today, and I haven't watched it ...