Review of Vexille (2007) by Grace C — 24 Aug 2008

With an interesting premise, some nice action sequences and gorgeous animation, the future cyber-earth Vexille inhabits is more realistic than anything in the "Shirowverse" - which makes it, for me, in many ways more engaging.

This film also shows rather than tells, making it a more enjoyable ride than Ghost In The Shell 2: Innocence or the last two films of the Matrix Trilogy. Does it borrow somewhat from its predecessors? Definitely - aficionados will recognize a version of Seamus' suit, the central idea behind the Matrix series, a tribute to Mad Max, nods to Shirow's inventiveness, and oddly, an interesting take on sandworms.

This anime pushes the Japanese obsession with themes of man vs. machine, technology vs. nature, a bit further - to a conclusion which isn't that far-fetched, within the story's internal logic.

Haven't enjoyed a cyber anime as much as this, in awhile.