METROPOLIS
New age meets old skool
Review by: Craig "Physically Misshapen" Norris
Length: 90 minute movie
Genre: Drama, sci-fi
Watched: All, dubbed
It baffles me why, after all the advances that have been made in anime (both in terms of production values and content) over the past few decades, people refuse to let the respectable yet obsolete works of Osamu Tezuka quietly fade away into anime history. No matter how sophisticated anime studios become with their character designs and computer graphics, the outlandish and distracting dimensions of Tezuka's style seem to pop up somewhere every few years. True, there are many things about Metropolis (and Tezuka's works in general) that have a timeless quality, but the characters are not among them.
Plot synopsis: Metropolis is a huge... well, metropolis, that leads the world in trade, industry, and culture. However, that's not good enough for Duke Red, the city's most powerful industrialist. He has constructed a massive tower called the Ziggurat that hides a powerful weapon underneath its veneer of grandeur and invincibility. However, the Ziggurat needs one final component to fulfill Duke Red's dream: an android girl named Kima. But when Kima's creator, Dr. Lawton, is murdered and his lab burned, Kima is rescued by a young boy named Kenichi, from whom she learns that there's more to being human than being made of flesh and bone.
Artwork: The backgrounds are enthralling. All aspects of Metropolis are rendered with such thorough precision that the city seems to come alive and exhibit its own personality. And then, in stark contrast, are Tezuka's trademark character designs. As fluidly as they were animated, they just don't cut the mustard in this modern age of anime. The characters, and even a lot of the robots, had too much of a Disney-esque visual quality about them, and prevented me from taking them as seriously as I would have liked. If the characters were done by a different group, let's say Studio Bones for the sake of argument, this movie would have been as visually perfect as any film since Ghost in the Shell.
Music: The soundtrack, thick with vintage American jazz, adds to the feel of the city, and gives it a very nostalgic feel underneath all the robotics. The movie makes perfect use of contrasts between visuals and sound, and is one of the few anime I've seen lately where the music truly enhances the mood. The music is very enjoyable on its own, and there were times when I became totally immersed in it, and felt like I was part of the ambience. If an evening at a smoky jazz lounge is your idea of the good life, this soundtrack is a must have.
Characters: Not only are the characters hard to relate to from their looks alone, their personalities don't make them any more likeable. So magnificent is the city they all find themselves in, they seem to get lost in it, and can't find a way to stand out. Kenichi, who could be considered the main protagonist, is an assistant of his uncle Shunsaku, a private investigator. He comes to Metropolis with his uncle to help track down Dr. Lawton, but finds Tima in the process. Tima, having no memories or sense of self, latches onto Kenichi and sees him as a big brother or a father figure. However, the mutual caring between Kenichi and Tima seems to come about too fast, and feels too convenient and contrived. Duke Red is an unimaginative villain, ignoring the pleas of his adopted son Rock to fulfill his ambitions of power. Rock is probably the most dynamic and developed character, as his motivations are the most clearly explained of anyone's. Aiding Shunsaku and Kenichi in their investigation is 803DRPDM4973C (nicknamed Pero), a police robot that acts as a guide for the two as they explore the various levels of Metropolis. Pero is the main window through which viewers can see the prejudice that humans feel toward robots. The characters, both in terms of their designs and their lack of development, are the main anchor keeping this movie from climbing to the stars.
Plot: For what the movie lacks in character development it tries to make up for in plot, and there is an awful lot of plot to be had. The story is presented very crisply within its 90 minute time frame, more successfully I dare say than a majority of anime movies I have seen. The plot succeeds at just about everything it sets out to accomplish, although due to the flat characters it has trouble evoking any sentimentality.
CHICKS!: Let's see here: Tezuka's character designs, prepubescent android girl... and Tezuka's character designs. I don't think we have to waste any more time here, do we?
Overall: The problem with Metropolis (aside from the woeful characters) is that it was labeled as a legendary anime even before it came out. And when so much weight is placed on a set of shoulders, all but the most infallible are forced to break under the pressure. Look what happened to J.D. Drew in Philadelphia. Metropolis is a worthy film in its own right, and may even deserve a pedestal of its own. However, it's not nearly as good as the professional (read: paid) critics make it out to be. That's why I offer my insightful opinion, free of charge. Aren't you glad I'm around?
IN A NUTSHELL
+ The city truly comes alive
+ Good music used well
+ Smooth plot
- Character designs don't fit
- Anemic characters
Rating: 8.5/10
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