Oshii Mamoru's films really seem to divide people. Those who've loved his films so far will find lots to enjoy here. And those who don't will probably complain about poor animation and too much talking.
Actually the story is a lot more straightforward (as far as Oshii is ever 'straightforward') than Innocence but the world presented here is quite a tricky one to get your head around if you start thinking too much about it. And of course, half the fun of an Oshii movie is thinking too much...
If you liked Jin Roh, you'll probably like this.
So anyway, the world: It's kind of Europe. It's sort of WWII. But then again it's kind of science fiction too. But actually it's not any of these. It's a fantasy world which exists firmly in Oshii's mind, neither post-apocalyptic far-future nor alternative history.
So, there's this group of Japanese pilots, fighting (for a free world) some unspecified enemy (the other team) in what appears to be England, then maybe Poland on what they call the European NORTHERN front (according to the Japanese/English newspapers) and of course the colour TV reports in the American style diner they hang out in... You get the idea. It's a weird mix of nostalgic war-time imagery. In a world which seems to have no national borders where everything is run by corporations.
After an initial exciting CG action scene (with really cool engine noises, if ya like that sort of thing - and Oshii obviously does!) the characters are presented. The 2D animation is quite a shock at first after the smooth CG. It doesn't quite fit. But then again, lots of things 'don't quite fit' in this movie. It's one of the main themes. Oshii keeps introducing strange things about his world throughout while characters muse on the meaning of life and stuff (as Oshii characters are want to do).
What's real? What's not? Why are we here? and, refreshingly, Let's not worry too much about it and go bowling.
There are several revelations about the world the characters inhabit, but it never gets too confusing and Oshii allows you to figure things out for yourself as the movie progresses at its own slow pace (I don't need to point out that Oshii's movies tend to be quite a bit slower than usual anime, do I?). And just in case you need some confirmation about part of the mystery, there's a final shot after the end credits which kind of sums up.
It's probably best not to read too much about the plot. Make up your own mind what's going on.
So, it's a mystery/fantasy/Sci-Fi/alternative history/meaning of life/war movie. Go watch Jin Roh, if you're bored to tears, you probably won't like this either. I loved it!
Actually the story is a lot more straightforward (as far as Oshii is ever 'straightforward') than Innocence but the world presented here is quite a tricky one to get your head around if you start thinking too much about it. And of course, half the fun of an Oshii movie is thinking too much...
If you liked Jin Roh, you'll probably like this.
So anyway, the world: It's kind of Europe. It's sort of WWII. But then again it's kind of science fiction too. But actually it's not any of these. It's a fantasy world which exists firmly in Oshii's mind, neither post-apocalyptic far-future nor alternative history.
So, there's this group of Japanese pilots, fighting (for a free world) some unspecified enemy (the other team) in what appears to be England, then maybe Poland on what they call the European NORTHERN front (according to the Japanese/English newspapers) and of course the colour TV reports in the American style diner they hang out in... You get the idea. It's a weird mix of nostalgic war-time imagery. In a world which seems to have no national borders where everything is run by corporations.
After an initial exciting CG action scene (with really cool engine noises, if ya like that sort of thing - and Oshii obviously does!) the characters are presented. The 2D animation is quite a shock at first after the smooth CG. It doesn't quite fit. But then again, lots of things 'don't quite fit' in this movie. It's one of the main themes. Oshii keeps introducing strange things about his world throughout while characters muse on the meaning of life and stuff (as Oshii characters are want to do).
What's real? What's not? Why are we here? and, refreshingly, Let's not worry too much about it and go bowling.
There are several revelations about the world the characters inhabit, but it never gets too confusing and Oshii allows you to figure things out for yourself as the movie progresses at its own slow pace (I don't need to point out that Oshii's movies tend to be quite a bit slower than usual anime, do I?). And just in case you need some confirmation about part of the mystery, there's a final shot after the end credits which kind of sums up.
It's probably best not to read too much about the plot. Make up your own mind what's going on.
So, it's a mystery/fantasy/Sci-Fi/alternative history/meaning of life/war movie. Go watch Jin Roh, if you're bored to tears, you probably won't like this either. I loved it!