Review of Appleseed: Ex Machina (2007) by Kinnon P — 07 Mar 2008

One of those great films that fits alongside it's predecessor almost perfectly.The continuing adventures of Deunan Knute and Briareos has always been a genre favourite of mine from picking up the studio proteus translations of Masamune Shirows classic manga a very long time ago.They're characters that're quick and easy to identify with, and as action characters go, there's a lot to enjoy from the dazzling set pieces full of dizzying CGI work, through to the fact that these 2 are the best on the block, only this film gives us a 3rd character to have fun with.

To be honest, I felt Briareos was always a touch too pretty boy in his human incarnation and the depiction here of him having just fallen out of some bishi final fantasy look is a bit disappointing as a rugged (and older of course) more "manly" character would personally have been preferred. But hey, in his current incarantion nothing is more manly than a 400lb cyborg so all's well.

The star of this movie like the first is it's faithfulness to the design in the original manga. Shirow has long been a premiere visualiser in the cyberpunk genre, and it's a joy to see the filmakers embracing his look and designs so wholeheartedly.

The Tereus subplot was interesting and gives them room to move and expand the cast wth what will hopefully be the third part of the great cyberpunk saga. Top stuff, and an anime gem.