Reviews

This page houses our reviews of anime, comics, video games, music, etc (all movie reviews can be found on the Reel World, the only ones that will take up residence here are those that contradict a Reel World review). Below you will find first actual reviews, then some quick ratings on stuff I hope to have reviewed at a later time. Review styles, lengths, and ratings will vary by reviewer.

The standards for the reviews will come from The Reel World
The ratings can range from Exploding Chicken to 4 Dings (Classics)

Anime

Ghost in The Shell

In the near future of computer technology, the line between the biological and the robotic begins to blur, while the essence of sentient thought-the Ghost-is able to access computers directly. What occurs as a result is a growing surge of information forming in the net, and the possible horrors of technology start to become reality.
This is Ghost In The Shell, Masamune Shirow's tale of a cybernetic government agent's quest to capture the Ghost hacking Puppet Master and answer life's most basic questions.
Visually and conceptually, Ghost In The Shell serves as one of the largest influences on animation and science fiction, as well as one of the greatest doorways America has found into the world of Anime.

-Len

Gundam Wing (Moble Suit Gundam W)

The first Gundam series ever to sair commercially in America, Gundam wing is a perfect example of why anime is both artistic and entertaining. This series follows five pilots, each with their own unique personality and ethnicity, as they fight the ever-changing forces of tyranny and oppression. But that hardly does it justice.
Having no definate villain, the conflicts that drive the series exist in two forms. The first form is the battles that take place simply because of differing views on each situation. the other form of conflict is the continued debate between those who must fight (anyone the Gundams fight), those who promote pacifism (Relena and the Sank Kingdom), and those caught in the middle (Gundam pilots, Zechs).
The animation is brilliant and beautiful. The story and action are fast paced, exciting, and intelligent. As a whole, Gundam Wing shows off the epic saga of Star Wars and the dramatic themes of Blade Runner.

-Len

Oh! (Ah!) My Goddess
The Show:
A frat (motor club) boy gets stuck watching the phones at the motor club’s house. He gets really hungry & tries to order in some food he accidentally calls the goddess hotline & the goddess Belldandy pops out of his mirror a few seconds later. When she tells him he gets one wish, he’s convinced that the guys in the club are pulling a trick on him because he can’t get a girlfriend and says, "I wish for a girl like you to be with me forever!" He gets quite a surprise when the wish is approved and the "Ultimate Force" goes to work to keep them together.
My Opinion:
I think this show is great and quite funny, if you’re looking for something funny and don’t mind something a bit romantic you’ll probably like it.
-Angie

Ronin(Rotten) Warriors

What happnes when you combine 5 unrelatable heroes, one paper thin plot, and tons of cheese? One of the dumbest excuses for anime and a total waste of film, Rotten Warriors (actually Ronin Warriors, even though no one in the show is a ronin). If you don't think those things are bad enough, then there are a few more reasons to stay away from this stupidity:

The main villain is a giant floating head that never moves.
Every time a villain shows up (even if they've appeared before), one of the good guys (or their dumbass friends) says "He must be the warlord they call [name of warlord]."
There are only 3 decent or good characters--Anubis, Lady Khyra, and Lord Sabrestrike. Unfortunately, Anubis becomes whiny, Khyra doesn't do anything once she shows up, and Sabrestrike (the best character of all) shows up in one episode and dies in the next!
When the world is being attacked by the Dynasty, 99% of the time, there's no one around, even in big cities.
Almost all of the action can be described as the rings on the Ancient's staff clanging around for no reason.
Once the main villain gets a body, he only moves once or twice total while he's on screen--and he gets a body halfway through the series.

I'm sure there's more, but it's too stupid to remember. In on word, Ronin/Rotten Warriors is STUPID.

-Len

Perfect Blue

Can you say "What if Alfred Hitchcock made an Anime?" Well if you can then you have Perfect Blue. This movie is a shining example of how not all Anime has to be about karate fighters or giant robots. This film tells the story of a young woman named Mima Kirigoe. She was a singer in a successful girl group until she decided that she wanted to be an actress. All was well until one of her would be fans begins to stalk her, and some of her co-workers from the TV show end up dead. Soon Mima cannot tell the difference between reality and her own hallucinations.
This movie is based on a novel by acclaimed Japanese writer Yoshikazu Takeuchi. The movie is beautifully animated, compounded with intensely eerie music throughout the film.
On the down side the movie can be extremely confusing at times. WARNING: You might get a headache the first time you watch this movie! There are points in the film when you don't know if what you are watching is reality or if it's all part of Mima's mind... but this is also part of the fun of this movie. You might have to watch it a couple of times to catch every little hidden detail and get the full scope of the film. This movie is timeless in it's moral and can be summed up in one simple phrase; "Is fame worth the cost of identity?"

-Matt

Utena (Revolutionary Girl Utena, Shoujo Kakumei Utena)
The Show:
A little princess loses her parents and a prince happens upon her, impresses her, and givers her a ring that will some day lead her to him. Utena starts at a new school where her wardrobe shocks most because of the prince that saved her from despair she dresses like a prince to be just like him (She’s doesn’t have a thing for girls though). In her new school she accidentally ends up involved with a group that fights (with swords) over the "rose bride." The winner of the duel becomes engaged to her.
My Opinion:
This show is definitely weird, but in a very humorous way. The fights are interesting and reveal character traits of the duelists. The music can at times be a bit annoying but overall I’d say it’s good.
-Angie

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