 One of the best anime films I`ve seen in years. |
| Review Date: September 22, 2007 |
| Reviewer: Luca Vitale, |
This is the film adaptation of what might be the best graphic novel I`ve ever read. There are no words to describe how much I love the original comic book so I attended the North American premiere of Tekkon Kinkreet at the Moma in NY with high expectations.
Not only did the movie not fail to meet them but in fact added exciting and unexpected layers to the story. I am an animator; I`m rarely satisfied with the technical aspects of most animated features but the production on Tekkon is flawless. The animation, character design, backgrounds and camera work are all top notch. The two main characters are rendered in all their complexity and the movie doesn't shy away from the deep implications that the original story holds within its pages.
The movie is faithful to the comic book and the storyline is basically the same. However, Michael Arias and studio 4C were sometimes inventive, albeit in appropriate and creative ways. The new uniforms of the three warriors that Snake sends to kill Black and White are beautiful and reminiscent of a Moebius illustration- the final confrontation between Black and the two remaining warriors is held in the amusement park instead of the car-shelter site (which makes room for new dynamic shots) - but my favorite shift from the original material has to be the minotaur sequence. A lot of people complained that the movie is not as daring as Mind Game (studio 4C`s previous adventure into full length features) but I disagree - the animation gets very experimental during the minotaur scene showing the thin line between reality and Black's violence saturated subconscious. I loved the way they communicated the internal struggle by using the graphic language of animation alone.
Overall, Mind Game's pastiche of animation styles is probably more audacious but Tekkon more than compensates for it's more rigorous style with incredibly strong characters (MG characters came off as a little wacky at times) and a story that is so good that it hurts. If your eyes are not wet by the time Black and White get separated you are a soul-less fiend and you may want to consider a career in advertising.
I haven't been so excited about an anime since Ghost in the Shell 2: Innocence hit the theaters; it's a shame that while it was one of the most important movies of the year in Japan, Tekkon Kinkreet got very limited distribution in Europe and in the US - so do yourself a favor and buy this DVD! |
A True Anime
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| Review Date: October 7, 2007 |
| Reviewer: Antonio D. Paolucci, Beaver Falls, PA |
If you like Akira (Special Edition) or Ghost in the Shell, and thought they were true masterpieces despite their ambiguous style of storytelling, then you'll love Tekkon Kinkreet. It's as true an anime as there ever was: it follows its own style of storytelling, it has interesting, even endearing characters, and the art is just beautiful. It sits comfortably next to some of the best anime ever to come to the States.
Tekkon Kinkreet follows two young boys, known around the city as the Cats, but to each other they are Black and White. Black is a brooding, violent youngster with a gift for taking pain and dishing it out. White is, simply, special; he's empathic, enjoys life, and has a deep sense of when things aren't right. He also seems to be magically gifted. That gift, however, has left White an innocent boy, incapable of growing up and acting his age; that's why Black feels obligated to protect the young boy, and the that means eliminating any possible threat to him and White, as well as the city in which they live. Thus, these two have a few enemies, including the Yakuza, some strange and powerful alien assassins, and a mysterious creature known by the youth in the city as the "Minotaur." All the while, the two are continually robbing and mugging those within their city so that they can achieve White's dream of living in a house on a beach....
Yeah, interesting, I know. But what makes the story of Tekkon Kinkreet that much better is the surreality of the whole thing. It doesn't try to explain much; it doesn't have to. White and Black can run at tremendous speeds and leap ten feet into the air; aliens exist; and a boy has the power to link himself mentally to his best friend. Why? Because they do.... And all the while, it's as fantastically believable as a well told fantasy novel.
Outside of that, the art and characters of Tekkon Kinkreet helps to drive the story along. The settings contains so much detail that it's impossible to find anything. If this was a "Where's Waldo" drawing, you'd never find him. The character art is also beautiful, reminiscent of the short sequence in Kill Bill, Volume 1.
Now, for the one drawback (which many older anime fans wouldn't even consider as a drawback): this will be a very difficult anime for a new-comer to get into. The story isn't difficult to follow, but it can be confusing and the ending leaves a lot unanswered, as is the wont of anime. Still, though, if you have some experience with anime, then you won't be disappointed. The art is beautiful, the story is engaging, and the characters are endearing. I'd rate it higher if it were possible. Tekkon Kinkreet is definitely one of the best anime ever. |
A Giant Step in Animation Excellence!
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| Review Date: September 28, 2007 |
| Reviewer: P. J. Heffernan, |
| Animation-phenomenal, Music-mind blowing, Story-interesting, Characters- compelling, Sound quality -excellent. Fans of Le Parkour are gonna love this one. I personally saw this film as a giant leap in Anime. It has unbelievable action and yet it remains a very human story. It is emotional yet gritty and tough. I enjoyed the characters White (Shiro) and Black (Karo) and their duality. It was a modern tale of taoist wizardry with a street edge that is rarely seen in this type of feature. The backrounds are a primary character as well. I have never seen such attention to detail in any amimation period. Worth every penny. |
Must See Adult Anime
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| Review Date: October 10, 2007 |
| Reviewer: K. Reynolds, Norfolk, VA USA |
HOW LONG HAS IT BEEN since your imagination and heart has been captured by a film? If it's been a while, check out "Tekkonkinkreet" ("Treasure Town") from first time director Michael Arias. This is animation for adults at its best. Visuals are striking, the sound dynamic and genuine, characterization is breathtaking - but you will have to bring along your imagination.
Old city citizens, especially those who long to preserve the historic areas of their town, might find a touchstone here. The complex story is based on a manga (graphic novel series) from Taiyo Matsumoto that Arias picked up when he moved to Japan some 17 years ago. The central theme deals with change and how a long established city, such as Tokyo, cannot expand except by tearing down its old structures and neighborhoods. As Arias roamed his new city, he would frequently chance onto a beloved building demolished for new construction.
Arias, who has worked in film - primarily creating computer graphics for films like "The Abyss," "Animatrix" and "Princess Mononoke" - said it was "Tekkonkinkreet" that moved him to step into the director's position.
The story evolves around the brilliantly colorful ghetto world of two orphaned street brothers, Black and White. Black is the smart, older kid, a survivor intent on taking care of the younger child, White. White is a special charmer, lost in a much younger child's dream world. A developer, Mr. Snake, plans to demolish Treasure Town to build a theme park along the scale of Disneyland or Busch Gardens. He allies with the local yakuza to accomplish this, creating a rift between a profit-loving godfather and a traditional mobster who loves the neighborhood. A pair of sympathetic detectives and other street folk help and hinder as "Treasure Town" unfolds.
Those used to the superb animation of Miyazaki, will find the Matsumoto's images, handled by animation director Mashiko Kubo, quite different and no less compelling. "Tekkonkinkreet" is an amazing blend of CGI and traditional hand-drawn art. It's beautifully complex with sharp detail and vibrant color. As for sound, it is simply amazing. The streets are alive, the soundtrack and voices are perfect. Do yourself a favor and watch this in Japanese with English subtitles. This brilliant, beautiful film slipped by us in its theatrical release. Don't miss it in on DVD. - Kay Reynolds, The Virginian-Pilot
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Black and White have never been so Colorful!
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| Review Date: December 17, 2007 |
| Reviewer: Ryan Hairston, Houston, TX United States |
Wow!
After this film I literally sat on my couch and contemplated the meaning of life. So thought provoking, so dramatic, easily one of the best animes ever created. This Anime is clearly a milestone not only in animation, but it proves once and for all that animation can be just as thought provoking, just as riveting, just as exciting as live action. Black and white are wonderful characters with a uniqueness unlike anything ever experienced in anime. This anime is not a must have, it is a need. I have watched this anime so many times and like the matrix or ghost in the shell it makes me think of something new. This movie is not on the level of Disney, Miyazaki, or Watanabe. It is on a level all its own. For the anime lover searching for something different take a look at Tekkonkinkreet. |
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