I have to admit that I found Akira to be probably the most impressive film I have ever seen so I was just a teeny bit excited at the prospect of something that Katsuhiro Otomo had spent the best part of 15 years making. In spite of the inferior quality of the copy it was still visually absolutely stunning and I know that with a decent copy I could spend hours marvelling at some of the backgrounds and drawings. It was of a suitably epic length too so I'm sure there'll be plenty to get my teeth into during repeated viewings.
*spoiler warning*
It was always going to be difficult to write a storyline with the gravitas to match something like Akira, and Steamboy has a fair go but I did feel it fell short by a hairs breadth, partly down to the behaviour of some of the characters. The Steamcastle, for example, is the most ridiculously OTT machine I've ever seen in the context of any film, and it could have been utilised to massive effect; but (and I suppose this could have been an intentional character flaw) Ray's father is a bit carried away and I think he blew his load far too early (even though this did prevent the film from going on for a ridiculous length of time - I could have handled it, I'm not sure many would). I assume that the conclusion is a commentary on the folly of man and machines, ziggurats, Titanic type stuff; but I have difficulty with the concept of someone getting impatient wanting to show off their life's work and having it crash/explode in the Thames. oh well, if it was anybody else directing I'd say it was a perfect setup for space-based steamy shenanigans in a sequel; as it is I look forward to being 37 when the next one comes out.
small points: - Anna Paquin and her dodgy semi-lancastrian accent - kind of endearing but only cos Ray's good, otherwise just irritating. Patrick Stewart on the other hand was quality casting.
- like Akira-meets-Chaos Engine-meets-FF7. the mere concpet of this is enough to make me excited. okay, so it's not nearly as hardcore as FF7, but all the imagery and mega-valves and stuff was spot on.
- I think it's so cool that it's set in 1866 Manchester, not the most obvious sci-fi settings which adds to the originality. (not enough talk of "working down t'pit" for my liking tho) I can't wait to see this with my cousin; oh those northerners and their silly accents
good stuff, goooood stuff
