Review of Akira (1988) by John H — 10 Oct 2012

Quite easily among the best comic book movies of all time. It's up there with comic book films like The Dark Knight, Batman, Watchmen, Spiderman 2, Superman I & II, Iron Man, Scott Pilgrim and Kick Ass. It's also one of the unique comic book movies not to have any superheroes, but rather it's about a teenager who gets these powers that he cannot control. It'd be like someone moody that you hate, then that person gets those powers.

It's not at all like a MARVEL or DC movie. It's based off one of the landmark manga comics of all time with the same name. In fact it's had as much of an impact on comics as Batman: The Dark Knight Returns, Batman: Year One, Watchmen, and Maus have had on the whole comic book industry.

This movie also proves that animation is NOT just for kids. Animation is MADE for kids today because Hollywood thinks it is only meant for kids, but animation does not equal a kids movie. This a post-apocalyptic science fiction movie with intense violence. It is also to a degree a disturbing film. It shows the aftermath of a Nuclear Holocaust. This movie also shows that you can make a mature cartoon that adults will love. It broke box office records in Japan at the time of its release, so why can't this kind of animation appeal to the regular Western crowd? It should.

This movie isn't a Disney movie. It isn't a Hayao Miyazaki movie. It's in a league of its own. Also another important thing to keep in mind:

WITHOUT THIS MOVIE, THE MATRIX WOULDN'T EXIST!!!!!!! This is what makes culturally important. If you see this movie, get it or rent it. It has great story, reasonably likeable characters, a great science fiction experience for hardcore fans of the genre, or minor fans of the genre, and the animation is beyond incredible!!!! It's just a moviegoers heaven.

Now let's see how the remake holds up with this masterpiece?