Akira

Voices of: Mitsuo Iwata, Nocomu Sasaki, Mami Koyama, Tessho Genda, Takeshi Kusao, Hiroshi Otake
Directed by: Katsuhiro Otomo
Rating: R
Genre: Animation, Action, Science Fiction
1988

Times Seen:
Tim: 1

Summary: In Neo-Tokyo, a member of a biker gang reluctantly takes part in a secret military experiment that grants him deadly powers.

Review:

Tim: Akira is a landmark film, widely regarded as the greatest Anime movie of all time. It's what put Japanese animation on the map, a film that influenced dozens of films after it. I never watched the anime during my formative years, so I first saw it as an adult. I really enjoyed the film. I admit I haven't seen nearly as many anime movies as I need to have seen. I like the subgenre, but it's been hard for me to find films I truly love. Akira gets close and it's a film I would highly recommend. However, I believe it falls just short of greatness. That being said, I wouldn't fault a single one of the film's many fans. This is an important movie and one well worth your time.

I watched the film in Japanese with English subtitles- I think that's a better way than it being dubbed in English. So much of the film feels different because it reflects Japanese culture and as a fairly globally sheltered American, I appreciated that. It opens up your eyes to a different way of life. The added benefit is we see what Japanese life was envisioned to be in the far-off date of 2019 (which is two years ago for me). The futuristic aspect of this movie is one of its great strengths. Whether that is the troubling human experiments, or Kanada's incredibly cool motorcycle, it's fun to watch this future world depicted on screen.

I will say that for someone unversed in the manga upon which this movie is based, it's a lot to take in on a first viewing. I truly believe that subsequent viewings would increase my estimation of this film. It's always challenging to choose to watch a movie a second time (I recognize that by the end of my life, there will still be countless thousands of movies I'll never see) but this is one I suspect I'll revisit at some point. Now that I understand the characters and the story, I imagine I'll pick up on quite a lot I missed during the first viewing. It's truly a lot to try and take in upon the first viewing- learning about Neo-Tokyo and the historical events that inform the present day actions, learning the different characters and their roles to play, trying to make sense of what exactly is happening- it often times felt like I was running to catch up with the film. I imagine that impacted my experience to some degree. For people who watch this movie and just feel overwhelmed, I completely understand that experience.

While Akira takes additional effort for newbies, there is definitely a payoff for staying involved. It's certainly one of the definitive post-apocalyptic cyberpunk movies of all time. The visual animation is impressive and immersive. You really get pulled into the world of Neo-Tokyo. The film doesn't shy away from violence (although it never becomes unnecessarily gratuitous) and there's a few body horror moments that are difficult to watch, even in animated form. The soundtrack is well done. It's an exceptionally well crafted movie. It's no surprise that this was the most expensive animated movie ever at the time of its release- the filmmakers took painstaking attention to get all the details right. That's obvious from watching the film.

One area I liked, but wished I love, are the characters. Shotaro Kaneda is a really cool protagonist, but it felt like it took a long time for me to care about his character. He looks cooler than he actually is as a hero. His journey is an important one and I appreciated his character development, but when I think about the coolest sci-fi heroes, Kaneda wouldn't quite make the list. I liked him, but I never loved him. Tetsuo, on the other hand, makes a fantastic foil. When I think about the most memorable science fiction antagonists, he would definitely be one that came to mind. I appreciated the insight into his character throughout the film. He was handled with care and interest, rather than being portrayed as two-dimensional. One big issue I had with the characters is the portrayal of Kei. She's certainly smart and strong, but she gets relegated to the sidelines far too much. Kei was an incredible character and I don't believe she got her due. Too often, she's important in relation to the male characters (I recognize this is the late 1980s we're talking about) instead of being definitively cool in her own right. I wanted to see more attention to her character, more focus on why she's so incredibly. It's a testament to Kei of how much I liked her character, even when she was shortchanged.

Akira is a really, really strong movie. It's undoubtedly a landmark anime movie and hugely influential. I enjoyed it a lot and would probably like it even more when I see it again someday. It's a bit convoluted, sure, and its characters could have been developed even more, but there's no doubt it's a beloved film. I felt so happy that I finally understood it and it's definitely a movie that sticks with you long after you finish watching.

Rating 1-10
Tim's Rating- 7.5



If You Enjoyed This Movie, We Recommend: Ghost in the Shell