• Hey, guest user. Hope you're enjoying NeoGAF! Have you considered registering for an account? Come join us and add your take to the daily discourse.

Summer 2012 Anime |OT3| Where All the Waifus Are Made Up and the Points Don't Matter

Status
Not open for further replies.

Dresden

Member
The animation is really great to be sure. The yellow line race was especially impressive in its strong visual depiction of extreme speed.

The problem came after that, when they attempted to have a plot and characterization, but it was a bore and just felt like so much padding. The garish shiny platinum visual style is totally inappropriate in the slower, more intimate scenes. If they had to give some character motivation, they should have just kept it to the quick flash of flashbacks JD had once, which would have been acceptable.

Even beyond that, the content veered into the repulsive at times, especially though not exclusively in its depiction of women. Sonoshee is perhaps one of the worst female leads I've come across.

In the end, I feel that if you're going to make something that's all about the animation and style, you should

1) Keep it relatively short (30 minutes max would be ideal).

2) Keep it wordless.

Pretty much how I felt. The race in the beginning was the high point--everything after that was just padding.

I'm still fond of the introductory segments they had for each racer, though.
 
Redline was fun.
It was an adrenaline rush beginning to end, true to its name.
The movie feels alive. There is so much energy.

See, if it had been an adrenaline rush from beginning to end I would have felt better about it, but it wasn't. Almost everything between the yellow and red line races, and even some of what was going on during the red line race, was boring.

I can understand throwing content like that in a TV production, because you can't have nonstop action or you'll break your budget, but you have to fill out the full 25 minutes of each episode. So for instance, when The Idolmaster cut away from the well animated dancing to static reaction shots, I could accept it as much as I didn't like it. But Redline didn't have these concerns, so what it chose to do is simply unacceptable.

But yeah, it looked neat, most of the time, even if I'm not a big fan of some of the aesthetic choices. The exaggerated camera angles on the cars were great.

You should definitely check out the 5 minute Redline Pilot.

I probably should.
 

duckroll

Member

That trailer looks a lot more convincing, but I'll still only believe it when it actually opens in Japan! Lol.

Pretty much how I felt. The race in the beginning was the high point--everything after that was just padding.

I'm still fond of the introductory segments they had for each racer, though.

As someone who has a soft spot for WWF from the old wrestling days, I have to agree.
 
You can only have respect for Katsuhito Ishii. He's such an imaginative director. Taste of Tea and Funky Forest are two of my favourite movies ever. I haven't seen Redline yet but from the anime sequence in Taste of Tea I can tell he is a true animator, someone like Yuasa. One that likes animation for genuine reasons and is a talented cineast. I find his style very enjoyable and am looking forward to watching Redline.
 
Everyone's picking on Redline :(

Though I do agree, it dragged a lot when it tried to have a plot, but I loved the visual style enough to not let it bother me. I did like the universe and world design a lot. One of the more compelling space opera settings even if the narrative fell short or just wasn't given enough time to develop.

Doesn't change the fact the 2nd half is amazing and probably the 2nd best anime experience I've had this year.
 

wonzo

Banned
for ponpo:

iCQ1XK2DtmDBR.gif
 
Pretty much how I felt. The race in the beginning was the high point--everything after that was just padding.

I'm still fond of the introductory segments they had for each racer, though.

I did like how some of those introductions ended up being commercials. It could have expanded that to make some kind of social commentary if it had cared.
 

Branduil

Member
I dunno, sometimes people decide to understate something for dramatic effect. There seem to be very few people here who actually think that Redline is an okay or above average film which is mostly driven by the strong visuals while being danged down by a weak narrative with poor characters.

Really? My impression was always that there were quite a few of us here who feel Redline is pretty middling fare outside of the extravagant visuals.
 

darkside31337

Tomodachi wa Mahou
Kokoro Connect 10:

What an absolutely amazing end to this arc. This show is such an emotional tour de force, running the full gamut of emotions within the same episode. They finally addressed what looks to be like one of the primary focal points for the rest of the story and what should have come across as something totally hokey and underwhelming
in your typical two girls fighting for one guy
was pulled off in excellent fashion because of the interactions that take place between all parties involved.

That said, Team Inaba for life yo. Ain't no way she's gonna lose to Iori.

And I got to experience Redline live on a big screen at a local film fest. Easily one of my favorite anime films of all time even if its not one of the best.
 

madp

The Light of El Cantare
Redline was absolutely weighed down by its insistence on plot for plot's sake. The feeling that it was trying to be something that it just wasn't was palpable through the entire thing. The slowness of most of the film was unforgivable given the expectations that the opening scene set--there was no sense of escalating tension from the Yellow Line race to the Red Line race due to the interminable lull between the two, and the latter dragged on far too long to evoke any feeling of excitement or suspense whatsoever. Beneath the visuals it's a pretty flawed work.

Remind me again of why we're supposed to care about Gothicmade?

Because being apathetic toward something by default is no fun.
 

TheOddOne

Member
Jinrui wa Suitai Shimashita 09:

Brilliance. The primary reason that I'm able to tell that this episode was on the level of the first two was because it posed questions about humanity and the nature of modern society that made me extremely uncomfortable again. This kind of darkly-humorous exploration of human nature, culture, and industrialism is precisely the thing that the show has been missing, even in episodes with otherwise-highly entertaining subject matter. I really enjoyed the focus on modern man's rapacious destruction of nature in the name of an unsustainable lifestyle, and the various commentaries on the dark side of monarchy, utopia, collectivism, genetic tampering, monocultures, and population growth didn't go unnoticed. Pound for pound, this episode probably has more philosophical food for thought than anything else this year. Just as importantly, it was a hell of a lot of fun.
tumblr_m9lmmfD8V71rzfinxo1_500.gif


What an interesting... review.
 
Redline was absolutely weighed down by its insistence on plot for plot's sake. The feeling that it was trying to be something that it just wasn't was palpable through the entire thing. The slowness of most of the film was unforgivable given the expectations that the opening scene set--there was no sense of escalating tension from the Yellow Line race to the Red Line race due to the interminable lull between the two, and the latter dragged on far too long to evoke any feeling of excitement or suspense whatsoever. Beneath the visuals it's a pretty flawed work.

I would say there are some vital scenes between the Yellow Line and Red Line, like the restaurant scene or the tv show introducing the racers. There was some cool world building in there, but there was also a lot of useless stuff. Pretty much every interaction between Sonoshee and JP could have been greatly shortened or cut out altogether.
 

Articalys

Member
At the rate you guys are going with inline gifs for Hells, you're going to give away the whole film before most of us have a chance to watch it!
 
Redline was absolutely weighed down by its insistence on plot for plot's sake. The feeling that it was trying to be something that it just wasn't was palpable through the entire thing. The slowness of most of the film was unforgivable given the expectations that the opening scene set--there was no sense of escalating tension from the Yellow Line race to the Red Line race due to the interminable lull between the two, and the latter dragged on far too long to evoke any feeling of excitement or suspense whatsoever. Beneath the visuals it's a pretty flawed work.

In particular, the Funky Boy subplot felt like an unfortunate distraction from the Red Line itself.

Of course, the loud, brash style of Redline isn't to my personal tastes and I wasn't expecting to like the film at all, so I'm happy I was able to get something out of it.
 
I would say there are some vital scenes between the Yellow Line and Red Line, like the restaurant scene or the tv show introducing the racers. There was some cool world building in there, but there was also a lot of useless stuff. Pretty much every interaction between Sonoshee and JP could have been greatly shortened or cut out altogether.

There were simply way too many characters and it required way too much exposition and explanations about all of them. Those TV segments where they just explained everyone's backgrounds were just self-indulgent.
 
There were simply way too many characters and it required way too much exposition and explanations about all of them. Those TV segments where they just explained everyone's backgrounds were just self-indulgent.

Eh, I liked them. I thought the way they were explained and the interviews with them were really cool and sometimes funny like
"GORI RIDER YOU MOTHER FUCKER"
. It felt really fitting with the whole "crazy underground race" thing they were going for. It was like a monster truck commercial or something with the participants.
 

Branduil

Member
The animation is really great to be sure. The yellow line race was especially impressive in its strong visual depiction of extreme speed.

The problem came after that, when they attempted to have a plot and characterization, but it was a bore and just felt like so much padding. The garish shiny platinum visual style is totally inappropriate in the slower, more intimate scenes. If they had to give some character motivation, they should have just kept it to the quick flash of flashbacks JD had once, which would have been acceptable.

Even beyond that, the content veered into the repulsive at times, especially though not exclusively in its depiction of women. Sonoshee is perhaps one of the worst female leads I've come across.

In the end, I feel that if you're going to make something that's all about the animation and style, you should

1) Keep it relatively short (30 minutes max would be ideal).

2) Keep it wordless.

You know, I actually found the plot involving JP and the green guy who used to be his partner fairly interesting. The problem with the story was everything else. Sonoshee was a pointless character, and adding a complex battle on top of and through the red line race was distracting and didn't add anything to the film except more animation.
 

Ultimadrago

Member
Lupin III: Blood Seal - Eternal Mermaid

Since my unfortunate previous rendezvous with Lupin (A Woman named Mine Fujiko), it was always in my schedule to watch a Lupin work that went for the type of colorful, energetic styling that I enjoyed prior.

ibtWqwO8ejw14u.PNG
ibw4cWcV2opm41.PNG

This is what I like to see.

I don't feel an obligation to delve too much into the plot, though some manner of overview won't hurt. There are two scales that
lead to a legendary treasure
and Lupin with the gang decide to search it out. I've rounded it up, but the story is simple, as I'm used to and fine with in Lupin films. In between these events, Lupin meets a girl named Maki that want to
be his apprentice
.

Now, this is an angle I have never enjoyed. The workings of a curious child that yelps,
"Teach me your ways! I'm your student now!"
have always annoyed me to little end. Ringing Bell being a recent exception due to its execution and novel aesthetics in relation to its context. The use of it in Blood Mermaid is no different to my usual annoyance towards the plot element.

The animation was pleasing to the eyes for the most part. Nice motion ranged within scenes for fast-paced 2D cars to bicycles to Lupin and the gang running from Zenigata and his goons again. Did I mention the bicycle drifting? I liked that part.

The music was spot-on throughout. You have the great Lupin theme with vocals to start things off, soft music for when Maki is flashing back to
Misa with her younger days
and a general jazz soundtrack that taps the toes (used in conversing scenes as well as more action-based ones). It's gives the Lupin energy I heartily appreciate.


The characters are the ones I know and love. The film shares the perverted/loveable Lupin, collected/calm Jigen, Goemon (there for slashing things) and a superior Fujiko to the one from the previously mentioned series that is fun while not under switching sides for personal gain. Interactions displayed between them are as fun as ever. I've always stood by the idea that interactions of a certain caliber can overcome deficiencies in other areas of direction. In one case, Jigen and Lupin are
being introspective while relaxing (Well, moreso Lupin than Jigen).
Traditionally, I wouldn't think much of a scene like this. It's a bridge to action following up later on while adding sprinkles of information regarding the plot. However, with this particular duo, I can't help but to crack a smile every once in a while.

Their personalities and lines work exceptionally in tandem to a point where I can enjoy the scene on a different level than keeping a straight face because the tone involved. Besides that, most of the interactions are of the type that those familiar to Lupin are keen with: Lupin staring at Fujiko's breasts, Jigen and Lupin discussing an "impossible" mission, Zenigata chasing Lupin with all this might while still acknowledging Lupin's sense of character. The original cast was presented in a fashion I was hoping for, though I can assume some would call the attempt "lazy" as they largely are how they have been.

The side characters and villain are much weaker. Simply put, I don't think much of them, but they are along for the ride anyhow. While only Maki out of them felt "in the way", the villain wasn't just lame, he was really lame. In conclusion, they didn't falter my enjoyment of the main cast, but don't have attributes worth sharing in detail.

Overall, I had a pretty good time with the film. In comparison to other Lupin films,...I need to watch some more of them, but coming from the latest television series, this was an enjoyable watch.


It isn't a flawless experience. The side characters are mostly not a pleasurable watch, with Maki having a few nice moments with Lupin. The story wasn't anything to jump out of my chair for, (as Lupin ventures I've witnessed hold in common). The pacing itself suffers from a dragging middle section that doesn't take full advantage of the lovely character interactions or fluid action. A story set-up that sounds common, sure, but I've seen it handled better in another Lupin film. Yet, witnessing the cast in a full-feature with their profiles intact made for a nice night. The action parts were fun (with some neat cinematography included) and the music fit the work like a glove. The movie isn't going to change your life, but it is a delightful Lupin film.

I look forward to eventually covering from the pool of films and specials this gang has to share.
 

duckroll

Member
You know, I actually found the plot involving JP and the green guy who used to be his partner fairly interesting. The problem with the story was everything else. Sonoshee was a pointless character, and adding a complex battle on top of and through the red line race was distracting and didn't add anything to the film except more animation.

I liked that plot point, but I also hated how it ended. Like everything else in Redline the conclusion of the arc is not earned, and instead of feeling like a victory or a lesson learned it just trivializes the entire point of that narrative piece. Awful.
 

Dresden

Member
Funky Boy stuff was horrible, just another part of why the latter sections of the movie sucks.

Movie would probably be better if Trava was the lead and Sonoshee and JP just died or something.
 
Eh, I liked them. I thought the way they were explained and the interviews with them were really cool and sometimes funny like
"GORI RIDER YOU MOTHER FUCKER"
. It felt really fitting with the whole "crazy underground race" thing they were going for. It was like a monster truck commercial or something with the participants.

It would have been fine in a TV series, but I felt it spread the movie too thin when they should have focused more on fewer plot threads and characters with their limited amount of screen time. There's just too much stuff going on in the film.
 

Branduil

Member
I liked that plot point, but I also hated how it ended. Like everything else in Redline the conclusion of the arc is not earned, and instead of feeling like a victory or a lesson learned it just trivializes the entire point of that narrative piece. Awful.

Didn't it end with
the mechanic guy showing up out of nowhere and killing the mob boss?
Speaking of endings, it would probably have been good if the film had a real one.
 

firehawk12

Subete no aware
The Redline pilot was better than the actual film; it was overall more daring and visually interesting.
Yep.

Smile PreCure! 30
In this episode, the PreCure's travel the world of the stingiest of budgets. The police sirens wailing when they visited New York was pretty funny. Fortunately, Yayoi was there to save the day!

Smile Precure 30:

Huh, so was this the Precure version of the K-On movie?!
 

cajunator

Banned
Jinrui kind of reminds me of bizarroworld Kinos Journey with the ways it explores humanity and society, except using sentient hair, fairies and evil chickens.
 

Dead

well not really...yet
Staff isn't the best barometer for determining if something will actually be good.
What reason is there to care about any original work, pre-release, if the staff means nothing then?

Also, Nagano is legendary status, so him making a movie, largely on his own apparently, is obviously grounds for anticipation (years of it, lol)
 
You know, I actually found the plot involving JP and the green guy who used to be his partner fairly interesting.

It was a potentially interesting dynamic and could have provided an emotional core, but it went underdeveloped.

Didn't it end with
the mechanic guy showing up out of nowhere and killing the mob boss?

Yes.

Speaking of endings, it would probably have been good if the film had a real one.

What, you didn't like
LOVE
?
 

madp

The Light of El Cantare
http://25.media.tumblr.com/tumblr_m9lmmfD8V71rzfinxo1_500.gif

What an interesting... review.

I'm sure that I sound like tryhard or a pseud or whatever, but Jinrui actually does have some pretty intelligent and thought-provoking humor sometimes, whether or not it's intentional.

I would say there are some vital scenes between the Yellow Line and Red Line, like the restaurant scene or the tv show introducing the racers. There was some cool world building in there, but there was also a lot of useless stuff. Pretty much every interaction between Sonoshee and JP could have been greatly shortened or cut out altogether.

Sure, it wasn't all bad, it just needed to be trimmed considerably. The characterization of the protagonists was especially useless given the larger threat that suddenly consumes the Red Line race to the complete exclusion of any further permanent growth or personal resolution whatsoever for JD and Sonoshee apart from stock romance.

In particular, the Funky Boy subplot felt like an unfortunate distraction from the Red Line itself.

Of course, the loud, brash style of Redline isn't to my personal tastes and I wasn't expecting to like the film at all, so I'm happy I was able to get something out of it.

The Funky Boy subplot is 50% of my problem with Redline. good god talk about losing sight of what your movie is about.
 
It would have been fine in a TV series, but I felt it spread the movie too thin when they should have focused more on fewer plot threads and characters with their limited amount of screen time. There's just too much stuff going on in the film.

There were only like 8 racers. I'm sure if fat in other areas was cut out, a bit of back story and motivation info wouldn't mess with the pacing at all. They could probably have even rearranged the introductions a bit or integrated them into the race commentary.
 

Jarmel

Banned
Hyouka 21-
Ok this was either my favorite or second favorite episode of the entire series. Ridiculously well-done on a lot of levels.

It really fleshed and reinforced Satoshi's character by highlighting how different he was when he was younger. You can even see components of that desire to win in the school festival. It also tied in really well to that tragic component of his character.

The mystery itself was just as plain as the rest however this time, similar to the movie arc, there was some real tension and emotions behind it. It wasn't something as asinine about some random memory of an old teacher but something that relates to the immediate state of the characters.
The mystery also impacts the audience's perception of Satoshi as he really acts like a straight up ass in this.

The confrontation on the bridge with Oreki actually being pissed off was amazing. While still being himself, you could really sense how enraged he was about the entire ordeal.
ibkxnQgvn8XUZm.gif

Then there was the directing with the emphasis on foot movement to represent emotion.

19655_original.gif


Truly an amazing episode.
 
Status
Not open for further replies.
Top Bottom