On this edition of Direct to DVD Dissection, an animated film steps up tot he plate. This time, it’s a CG animated film adaptation of a popular manga series. It’s the tale of a post apocalyptic world where a fighter and her badass robot companion do battle over the wasteland. It could have also been a FALLOUT 3 playthough done long ago.
The Story
Left to survive in a post-World War society, two mercenary soldiers – Deunan and her cyborg partner Briareos – are sent on a mission on the outskirts of their war-torn city. During the operation, they run into Iris and Olson, two citizens from the utopian city of Olympus, who might have a way to save the world but the ruthless Talos and the scheming warlord Two Horns have their own plans. It’s up to Deunan and Briareos to safeguard their new-found contacts and help save humanity’s last hope.
The Bullets
–Released July 22nd, 2014
-Studio: Sony Pictures
-Runtime: 93 minutes.
-English, French, German, and Spanish voice track, with English, French, Spanish, German, Arabic, Dutch, Korean, & Turkish subtitles.
-Rated PG-13
The Dissection
APPLESEED ALPHA is both the third in a series of film, preceded by APPLESEED and APPLESEED EX MACHINA, and is also the first entry, as the title suggests this to be a prequel before the events of the previous films. This also means that you don’t need to have seen those previous films in order to get into this one. Compared to the other series from creator Masamune Shirow, GHOST IN THE SHELL, this series is a cakewalk to follow. It has a few twists and mystery, but it’s a fairly straight forward and standard of a plot.
Knute and Briareos having a conversion:.”You really shouldn’t have punched that kid for thinking you were his brother.”
Last time a movie like this hit, it was STARSHIP TROOPERS: INVASION, which was a CG sequel to the film series. Fitting, since the two leads of this film were also main characters in that film, playing Carmen and Rico. There’s a few similarities, as future soldier Deunan Knute (Luci Christian) and her robot friend Briareos Hecatonchires (David Matranga) share a relationship in this, and it stands out more in this film than in INVASION, although that could be for other distracting reasons.
The biggest thing to mention about the film is the animation. It is on the high end, reminiscent of the trailer from the recent DEUS EX game, although it does falter when it comes to physics objects and particle effects and how they don’t seem up to snuff. Also, while a bit of the more outlandish characters look interesting and impressive, there is a bit of a weird look that surround the human characters. Still, it doesn’t hamper the film once it kicks off.
There is a good amount of action in this film, and it does take a focus in the film around the halfway mark. it also helps that the camera is focused on the action, so you do get good glimpses of the action, without the issue of trying to make the pace frantic.
On to the extras, the film has similar extras on both DVD and Blu Ray. It features a commentary track as well as a multiple part video series that goes into the details on the making of the film. Also, as pointed out above, there’s enough language and subtitle options available to craft the best audio experience for yourself.
I could have swore I saw him with a long cool woman in a black dress once…..
The Verdict
Overall, it’s a strong film and a good first impression for people looking to get into the film series. Highly recommended.