The concept was unique for sure, but why they decided to set the VR world in a fighting game is beyond me. It would have worked far better in a more RPG-ish action setting where sex would actually a viable thing. Are we really to believe that the company who designed a fighting game would also allow the players to not only get fully nude and bone within the game, but to also to fully experience the sensation of it? I guess the 'X' in the game title was the work of the VR porn company that took over half way through production. I don't think the point was to highlight the technology itself, but a couple changes would have made the story make a lot of sense.
Reviews
4 Reviews
As Above, So Below
(2014)
Pretty good. Much better than expected.
31 August 2014
First of all, there aren't a ton of good Horrors out there that are truly original. I'm not saying this movie is one of them, but that lack of originality shouldn't be the reason to give any movie a lower score. Bringing fresh ideas to the Horror genre is difficult, mostly because it's difficult to find new ways to scare people. There aren't a ton of moments that make you jump, but I think the genre isn't really about making people jump anymore. Audiences have gotten good at predicting when these moments happen.
Where this movie does well, along with the rest of my favorite horror movies, is atmosphere. For me, having a dark, creepy atmosphere is far more important to success in this genre than getting people to leap out of their seats. The shaky-cam, found-footage style isn't that much of an issue for me either. Actually, I think still does a good job portraying realism, despite being a bit disorienting and annoying.
Story-wise, I'd say it's pretty unique. How many other horrors involving descent into the earth to find historical relics can you think of off the top of your head? One, two maybe... How many horrors can you think of off the top of your head involving a haunted house, a possessed child or doll, exorcism, a guy with a mask, or a cabin in the woods? 100? Not to say this is bad, but I'll gladly welcome anything outside traditional horror settings and scenarios. It does dip into the realm of ridiculousness as some points, but nothing too over-the-top and far-fetched for the situation. The acting is good and the characters are believable for the most part. I would have cleaned up the final act a little bit more, but it was good enough to keep me satisfied.
Not sure what the critics are bashing it for. If there is anything to really complain about it's not this movie, but the genre itself. That being said, lower your expectations and you might like it. I'd give it a solid 7 out of 10.
Where this movie does well, along with the rest of my favorite horror movies, is atmosphere. For me, having a dark, creepy atmosphere is far more important to success in this genre than getting people to leap out of their seats. The shaky-cam, found-footage style isn't that much of an issue for me either. Actually, I think still does a good job portraying realism, despite being a bit disorienting and annoying.
Story-wise, I'd say it's pretty unique. How many other horrors involving descent into the earth to find historical relics can you think of off the top of your head? One, two maybe... How many horrors can you think of off the top of your head involving a haunted house, a possessed child or doll, exorcism, a guy with a mask, or a cabin in the woods? 100? Not to say this is bad, but I'll gladly welcome anything outside traditional horror settings and scenarios. It does dip into the realm of ridiculousness as some points, but nothing too over-the-top and far-fetched for the situation. The acting is good and the characters are believable for the most part. I would have cleaned up the final act a little bit more, but it was good enough to keep me satisfied.
Not sure what the critics are bashing it for. If there is anything to really complain about it's not this movie, but the genre itself. That being said, lower your expectations and you might like it. I'd give it a solid 7 out of 10.
Wrong Direction
4 August 2013
If anything, the story of Berserk needs to be expanded upon, not shortened. Basically, they are taking a 10-hour long show, improving the visuals, and reducing to the story to 3-4 hours. I'm curious who thought this would be a good idea. Many pivotal moments that occurred during the series were completely glossed over in this movie, and in many cases, left out entirely. What was great about the show was the emphasis on the story and character development. How can you develop the characters when you're cramming everything into such a short amount of time? Sure, the re-imagined action sequences and animation are great to look at, but that was only ever a small part of what made the series so good. Berserk being my favorite (if not, second favorite) anime of all time, this was doomed to fail for me. This first part is entertaining, sure, but doesn't do justice to the original series. It's just not possible.
That being said, it might be a decent watch if you're a first time viewer of Berserk, but for true fans of the show, I don't see how this could be acceptable. They should have just redone the entire series and gave it a proper ending. Or, continued the show from where the original left off. I'm certain either of these options would please fans more, rather than giving them cheapened, hyped-up movies. I'll watch the rest of the movies just to see how they turn out, but I suspect I'll be disappointed with the rest. I can only give the first part a biased 5 out of 10.
That being said, it might be a decent watch if you're a first time viewer of Berserk, but for true fans of the show, I don't see how this could be acceptable. They should have just redone the entire series and gave it a proper ending. Or, continued the show from where the original left off. I'm certain either of these options would please fans more, rather than giving them cheapened, hyped-up movies. I'll watch the rest of the movies just to see how they turn out, but I suspect I'll be disappointed with the rest. I can only give the first part a biased 5 out of 10.
Gurren Lagann
(2007– )
Pure Energy
26 January 2012
After a long time of evaluating I think I've finally admitted to myself, this has become my favorite anime (sorry, Berserk).
On the surface it's a "more power" anime with giant robots, over-the-top action and ridiculous characters. However, the show knows this and plays into it while basically saying to itself, "I'm going to be the best more power anime with giant robots, over-the-top action and ridiculous characters that anyone has ever seen, and make it so epic that no other giant robot show can compete". And for me, it basically is.
If I could only use two words to describe Gurren Lagann, it would be "pure energy". As far as entertainment value is concerned, I don't believe I've felt more entertained by any other anime. Not a single episode was boring filler (well half an episode, which is common in most anime), and along with the theme of the show, each episode is progressively bigger and better than the last. They could have easily made this a 2 season show by breaking it after a certain point, but instead kept it compact and fast-paced.
I think what makes the show special is that it never takes itself too seriously (evident by artwork and animation), but ultimately is quite serious in its message, and very thought provoking by the end. Most philosophical anime tend to bog the viewer down in loads of symbolic jargon, and in the end, often end up confusing or boring the audience. Gurren Lagann has all that symbolism that loves to pop up in anime, but basically stays in the background and plays a secondary role. If you wanted to completely ignore the philosophical undertones in the show you could do it, and it would still be very entertaining.
The story is pretty straight forward, but if you're wanting to dig deeper, I think the spiral concept used throughout the show is the most unique theme that has been done in an anime. The music is memorable and used very well throughout, with the Libera Me From Hell track from the final three episodes still occasionally being chanted by me, years after hearing it the first time. The ending is feel-good and appropriate to the series.
I know this review will probably be seen by only a few of the already converted, but to those who are on the bubble, give the show a shot and there is a good chance it might just become your favorite.
On the surface it's a "more power" anime with giant robots, over-the-top action and ridiculous characters. However, the show knows this and plays into it while basically saying to itself, "I'm going to be the best more power anime with giant robots, over-the-top action and ridiculous characters that anyone has ever seen, and make it so epic that no other giant robot show can compete". And for me, it basically is.
If I could only use two words to describe Gurren Lagann, it would be "pure energy". As far as entertainment value is concerned, I don't believe I've felt more entertained by any other anime. Not a single episode was boring filler (well half an episode, which is common in most anime), and along with the theme of the show, each episode is progressively bigger and better than the last. They could have easily made this a 2 season show by breaking it after a certain point, but instead kept it compact and fast-paced.
I think what makes the show special is that it never takes itself too seriously (evident by artwork and animation), but ultimately is quite serious in its message, and very thought provoking by the end. Most philosophical anime tend to bog the viewer down in loads of symbolic jargon, and in the end, often end up confusing or boring the audience. Gurren Lagann has all that symbolism that loves to pop up in anime, but basically stays in the background and plays a secondary role. If you wanted to completely ignore the philosophical undertones in the show you could do it, and it would still be very entertaining.
The story is pretty straight forward, but if you're wanting to dig deeper, I think the spiral concept used throughout the show is the most unique theme that has been done in an anime. The music is memorable and used very well throughout, with the Libera Me From Hell track from the final three episodes still occasionally being chanted by me, years after hearing it the first time. The ending is feel-good and appropriate to the series.
I know this review will probably be seen by only a few of the already converted, but to those who are on the bubble, give the show a shot and there is a good chance it might just become your favorite.
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