[ >>> ][ dreamlogic.net ] Aegis, Sukeban Deka 2, Otaku no Video

Aegis, Sukeban Deka 2, Otaku no Video — movie reviews

by Chris ⋅ August 3, 2006 ⋅ Comment now ⋅ Subscribe RSS

RSS

Dreamlogic.net's Review Roundup . Aegis, Sukeban Deka 2, Otaku no Video Aegis
Adapted from the smash hit novel of the same name, Aegis was an event film looked forward to with an excitement reserved for the likes of the original Jurassic Park. Taking its title from the name of a mythical shield of Greek lore that would render its bearer impervious to physical attack, Aegis concerns a similarly protected ship, armed to the teeth with American chemical weapons (the evil GUSOH), which as luck would have it gets high-jacked by pan Asian terrorists and used to threaten the safety of Tokyo. The only hope for Japan lay in a young art student turned government agent and the Aegis’s Chief Operations Officer (Hiroyuki Sanada, The Twilight Samurai, The Promise). Tokyo bay may never be the same again.

Funny, but this big budget action/espionage tale isn’t all that thrilling. It’s interesting on an intellectual level sure, despite a heavy handed message regarding the Japanese National identity, Japanese American military relations, and Japan’s current culture of peaceful pacifism, but the time spent on meditations far outweigh that of the sequences of action escapism. The action portions of the film are pretty hard hitting though, with a tangible realism not found in other action fare. Furthermore, some sequences, such as the underwater boat entry and the various chaotic shootouts really get you scooting toward the edge of your seat. That said I wouldn’t imagine anyone would be hard pressed to choose a night with this film over Crimson Tide. Performances are good all around, in the usual uber-dramatic and poignant Japanese style, but I can’t say I’ll be watching this film again anytime soon.

Dreamlogic.net's Review Roundup . Aegis, Sukeban Deka 2, Otaku no Video Sukeban Deka 2
Sukeband Deka III is back. After supporting role duties in the first Sukeban Deka Movie SDIII receives her own film. This one concerns a group of fascist youth cops, and their power hungry leader who intends to overthrow the government. Initially fighting side by side with the youth cops, SDIII grows uncomfortable with their use of excessive force, and quits the team. The youth cops strike back, kidnapping SDIII’s sisters, forcing SDII to form an alliance with the well meaning street punks the cops had so royally busted. What follows are more Yo-Yo and huge explosion action than you can shake a stick at, as SDIII’s and crew attempt to rescue the sisters while thwarting a terrorist attack on Tokyo. Sukeban Deka 2 is a wildly entertaining film, but somehow not in the same league as its predecessor. SDIII may be cuter than SDII, but the fight choreography, pacing, and the development of the primary villian all could have used a bit more work. But like I said, the film is still a blast to watch, and makes quite the nice double feature with Sukeban Deka The Movie.

Dreamlogic.net's Review Roundup . Aegis, Sukeban Deka 2, Otaku no Video Otaku no Video
This was a strange one. The tale of a young college kid who discovers anime, falls into the ranks of the Otaku, and vows to become the Otaking (king of all otaku). It’s a nice little entrepreneurial yarn, and quite the love letter to the animated arts, but where the thing gets a bit odd are the periodic insertions of video interviews with real life Otaku. These are some sad folks: chronic masturbators, overweight college dropouts, and closet cosplayers. The interviewing team never fails to jam a few thorns in the side of the interviewees, asking barbed questions concerning their lack of friends, girlfriends and the like, and at one point even resort to accosting a fan while he walks home from a late night convention. Yah, it’s pretty darn funny. But the last laugh is on us because, as you would expect, the main character does become quite the successful Ota-king — but not without quite a few trials and tribulations along the way. In closing, Otaku no Video is a pretty good flick, though one that probably would not warrant multiple viewings.

About the Author

dreamlogic.net -- CHRIS NELSON

Chris Nelson is a Java Developer and contract Technical Writer living in the Silicon Valley. He has been a film fan since age six. He has come to the realization that his capsules have swollen to the size of horse pills, and is now seeking a new name for this column.