JohnDoe
Bryn
BrentonAkira 2009
March 29th 2008 12:36
Akira is one of my favourite films of all time. Released in 1988, it’s an achievement not just in Japanese animation of it’s time, but continues to demonstrate a quality of animation that equals that of modern cartoon animation.
Original Japanese Trailer.
Akira is an incredibly complex film. The government, the military, the scientists, the anti-government rebel groups, the delinquent children, the New age psycho hippies, the biker gangs; each live in a kind of intertwined struggle – each fighting against one other for power, frighted of each others potential. There’s a lot of varied motivations intertwined here, and it’s easy to loose track.
The film touches on many themes, but the most prominent is of the concept that ‘all power corrupts, and absolute power corrupts absolutely.’ The above groups are locked into their own power struggles, which are soon dwarfed by Tetsuo’s new, military testing induced psychic powers. As Tetsuos power grows, his control wanes, and everything spirals desperately out of control.
One of the things I love so much about the film is it’s soundtrack. The following video features one of the songs from the film. The visuals are enjoyable too, but I’d simply like to share the music with you. (Does contain violence).
Song: 'Kaneda' by Geinoh Yamashirogumi.
Lyrics; Japanese;
Arashi, gareki, honoo, kakera, machi, tatsumaki, chikara, hikari, yatsura, matsuri, sora, nakama, hashiru!
RASSERA, RASSERA, RASSE, RASSE, RASSERA!
RASSE, RASSE, RASSE, RASSE, RASSE, RASSE, RASSERA!
English: Storm, Rubble, Flame, Shards, City, Tornado, Power, Light, Them, Festival, Sky, Friends Running.
RASSERA, RASSERA, RASSE, RASSE, RASSERA!
RASSE, RASSE, RASSE, RASSE, RASSE, RASSE, RASSERA!
More information on the original Soundtrack can be found here.
The following video features the opening six minutes of the film, including the famous opening explosion.
The reason that I’ve been put in the mood to rant and rave over this film in particular, is that at present I’m equal parts nervous and exited over the announcement that there’s a new Akira film in the works.
Unlike the animated film which manages to squish six massive volumes of comics into one relatively small film, the live action film will be done Lord of the Rings Style, in two parts. This is probably for the best, as the current film is essentially a rough adaptation.
It is set to be produced by Leonardo Di Caprio, Andrew Lazar and Jennifer Davisson. No, I’ve never heard of those last two either. The script is said to be written by hardened computer/comic geekmaster Gary Whitta. Wikipedia in it’s wisdom has given rumour that Di Caprio is to play Kaneida, and Joseph Gordon-Levitt is to play Tetsuo.
I have high hopes for the film, so let’s all cross our fingers and hope we don’t end up seeing it all set in America or anything silly like that.
Original Japanese Trailer.
Akira is an incredibly complex film. The government, the military, the scientists, the anti-government rebel groups, the delinquent children, the New age psycho hippies, the biker gangs; each live in a kind of intertwined struggle – each fighting against one other for power, frighted of each others potential. There’s a lot of varied motivations intertwined here, and it’s easy to loose track.
The film touches on many themes, but the most prominent is of the concept that ‘all power corrupts, and absolute power corrupts absolutely.’ The above groups are locked into their own power struggles, which are soon dwarfed by Tetsuo’s new, military testing induced psychic powers. As Tetsuos power grows, his control wanes, and everything spirals desperately out of control.
One of the things I love so much about the film is it’s soundtrack. The following video features one of the songs from the film. The visuals are enjoyable too, but I’d simply like to share the music with you. (Does contain violence).
Song: 'Kaneda' by Geinoh Yamashirogumi.
Lyrics; Japanese;
Arashi, gareki, honoo, kakera, machi, tatsumaki, chikara, hikari, yatsura, matsuri, sora, nakama, hashiru!
RASSERA, RASSERA, RASSE, RASSE, RASSERA!
RASSE, RASSE, RASSE, RASSE, RASSE, RASSE, RASSERA!
English: Storm, Rubble, Flame, Shards, City, Tornado, Power, Light, Them, Festival, Sky, Friends Running.
RASSERA, RASSERA, RASSE, RASSE, RASSERA!
RASSE, RASSE, RASSE, RASSE, RASSE, RASSE, RASSERA!
More information on the original Soundtrack can be found here.
The following video features the opening six minutes of the film, including the famous opening explosion.
The reason that I’ve been put in the mood to rant and rave over this film in particular, is that at present I’m equal parts nervous and exited over the announcement that there’s a new Akira film in the works.
Unlike the animated film which manages to squish six massive volumes of comics into one relatively small film, the live action film will be done Lord of the Rings Style, in two parts. This is probably for the best, as the current film is essentially a rough adaptation.
It is set to be produced by Leonardo Di Caprio, Andrew Lazar and Jennifer Davisson. No, I’ve never heard of those last two either. The script is said to be written by hardened computer/comic geekmaster Gary Whitta. Wikipedia in it’s wisdom has given rumour that Di Caprio is to play Kaneida, and Joseph Gordon-Levitt is to play Tetsuo.
I have high hopes for the film, so let’s all cross our fingers and hope we don’t end up seeing it all set in America or anything silly like that.
| 76 |
| Vote |
Add To: 
Subscribe to this blog
Comment by JohnDoe
Film & TV on DVD
Fantastic first choice for a review, Akira is a film that changed my life when I was a kid and still astonishes.
Welcome on board, I look forward to your next critique.
Comment by Brenton
Dr Spin
Tales From The Other Side
Downwrite
Blip Blog
Gadget Museum
Comment by Cibbuano
20/20 Filmsight
Science News
Hunt Famous
Orble Post of the Day
Fat Cult
Techbreak
Great review, Brent, though I'll admit that I'm pessimistic about the remake.
Comment by Brenton
Dr Spin
Tales From The Other Side
Downwrite
Blip Blog
Gadget Museum
Comment by JohnDoe
Film & TV on DVD
You got it in one. This is a military operation to change the world, one film review at a time.
I figured the more alternate points of view the better.
Being the omnipotent ruler of JDM however I of course have the luxury of choosing people who are like minded to contribute.