Review: Cowboy Bebop 286
First impressions: It's quite good, good enough to show even non-anime fans. Visually very pretty, plot is perfectly adequate, entertaining yet moderately deep, it's about all I ask for in an anime movie: it's fun.
The movie is strongly reminiscent of the animated series - if you lengthened and filled out one of the standard episodes, boom, you've got a movie. All of the Bebop crew are present, which would put it, time-wise, roughly in the middle of the series. Each of them plays a significant part in tracking their latest target, a bio-terrorist who plans to unleash an unpleasant plague on the population of Mars, but as in the series, they work side-by-side but not necessarily as a team, rather as a loose affiliation of, err, cowboys. The plot is simple but reasonably compelling. The antagonist's motivations are laid out; I didn't find them particularly sensible, but, ignoring that, the actions of the characters make sense and everything pretty much holds together.
The movie is significantly prettier than the series. Instead of the computer-generated beauty of Spirited Away, there are quite a few exquisitely drawn backgrounds. Most of the action takes place in a city on Mars which bears a strong - very strong - resemblance to modern-day New York City. Shadows are rendered with great care, leading to a number of scenes where the shadows play as much of a part in the scene as the character casting them. Although the rendering of Martian daylight is not, perhaps, very realistic (Mars is going to get a lot less light than Earth, even if it's massively terraformed...), the artists do take the opportunity to show us several beautiful sunset shots. The movie is worth watching for the art alone, IMHO.
Fans of the series will know that it's known for its jazz (or maybe jazz-like is more descriptive) numbers. The movie still has some jazz, but there's a lot more rock, leading to a more fast-paced feel. The soundtrack is quite good without being overpowering and without losing the feel that "made" the series. The voice acting is as good as the series, which is not surprising.
At least two of the showings in the movie theater I saw it in were sold out. I imagine that won't continue, since this is a bit of a niche market and the movie hasn't been advertised at all that I've seen, but perhaps it will be enough to get a wider U.S. distribution for the movie, and Spirited Away picking up an Oscar shouldn't hurt either. It's worth seeing in the theaters, I think, assuming there's one near you. If you've ever wondered what sort of beating Spike can dish out when he's really upset at someone, this movie will answer that question. :)
Quibble (Score:5, Interesting)
Re:One thing (Score:4, Interesting)
Long Live CB! 0_o
Its just a long epsiode (Score:5, Interesting)
That being said, most anime movies based on TV shows aren't usually that good. Escaflone the movie was fairly bad, and the Eva movies will never, ever, see a US theatrical release. However, Bebop was still a decent movie, and some of the scenes, such as the last fight scenes with the fireworks and butterflies, just demand being scene in a theater.
But the pacing was so bad... (Score:3, Interesting)
And was anybody else disappointed that the credits song from the TV show was missing? That is consistently my favorite part of the show.
Re:what about disney stuff then...? (Score:4, Interesting)
A majority of the reviewers who say that hte show is bad are right on the button why the movie isn't great. They don't even bring up the animation, other than to praise how well it is done. No, rather, most of them comment on the sheer episodicness of the movie, and the lack of what they considered a coherent plotline.
As well, I could understand a few of them being really confused because they don't really understand the "cowboy bebop" universe.
There was one reviewer who said it was "Just a Cartoon" and even then he was just pointing out that the plot, the storyline, etc. were just not that good. It's very similar to another review saying that a movie is "Just another movie", this Cowboy Bebop movie is "Just another cartoon". He's not attacking you, or your absolute love of anime, he's just saying that he wasn't thrilled, excited or stunned by this movie.
Accept that people don't like thing you do, and that they have perfectly legitimate reasons to. Not everyone who doesn't like the movie is 'against it', and I can say a majority of the ones who did say the movie was not that great had perfectly legitimate reasons to say so.
bebop? (Score:4, Interesting)
The villain is some kind of nihilistic joke who can't even keep continuity -- he survives, without disfigurement, exploding a grenade in his hand that blackens and twists a nearby metal seat, but takes one bullet in the climax and dies.
Speaking of which, the entire story around the contrived love interest is incredibly hammy, and if anyone didn't see that twist at the end coming you'd best get your eyes checked. Ugh.
I didn't expect the world from this movie, but it didn't come close to matching up with the worst episode.
Re:Damn critics... (Score:2, Interesting)
Something pops up fairly quickly: Most don't dislike it because it's a cartoon. Many of the bad reviews go on about how good the artwork and visuals are. (Most of the time anyways, as a few also complain about the lack of coherency in the quality in several scenes.)
Most of the bad reviews dislike it because they found it long, drawn out, and boring.
Now think about it for a moment. Put aside all the "They hate it because it's a non-Disney cartoon!" stereotypes. Think about it.
Have you seen the movie yet? I have, and I'm afraid I can agree. It's not a bad movie really, but it is slightly more drawn out than it needs to be.
Re:Quite So (Score:5, Interesting)
The title actually makes quite a bit of sense. The famous jazz musician Yoko Kanno does the music for Bebop. In addition, she actually had quite a bit of influence in the series. One interesting thing, is that during the opening credits, in the background, there are a few sentences about the creation of the bebop jazz style in New York in the 40's.
Re:Where's the anti-cartoon prejudice? (Score:1, Interesting)
But yes, I went through the reviews too, and most of the critics who didn't like it disliked it for reasons other than the fact it's animated. The most common one being the fact that the plot is drawn out more than it needs to be. (And speaking as someone who's already seen it, I have to agree)
My Impressions (Score:5, Interesting)
I enjoyed the music from the movie more than the series. I guess it was more blues/rock-n-roll-like than jazz-like.
In addition, I was amazed with the script and the voice talent. This is coming from a Sub-over-dub guy. It appeared that lip syncing software was used, but this is the first time I thought the script did not suffer from it. I only cringed maybe 3 times at a weird sentence or an abnormal pause in the rhythm of speech. The translation was excellent.
I have watched the series as subs and only briefly checked out the dubs on the DVD's. Major kudos goes to Wendee Lee who actually out performs Megumi Hayashibara as Faye. Her performance really made Faye a multi-dimensional character. Also kudos to Melissa Charles for matching the perfection of Ed by Aoi Tada. "Faye-Faye, Stay Away-way." ^_^
I agree with another poster about Vincent and Elektra, very under developed. The series, in just 25-50 minutes, did a much better job of bringing depth to the "villians." Episodes like the 2-part "Jupiter Jazz" or "Pierrot Le Fou" really made you feel for the story's main character.
From what I've read, the time line for movie is between Session #22 and Session #23.
89 out of 100: For the amazing translation and acting performances of Wendee and Melissa. Points off for underdeveloped characters.
Anthony
Some Fan Boys disagree with you. (Score:2, Interesting)
Not so. Check out this [filmthreat.com] review from filmthreat, who I generally happen to like.
Quote from the review: The reviewer seems to be a big fan of the series and can't stand the movie. So, it doesn't seem to be some sort of anti-anime bias to me.
Re:Its just a long epsiode (Score:4, Interesting)
Yeah, I hate it when they do that - give me a lame character, bad fight scenes and awful music!
Seriously, I think that being "jsut a long episode" is the absolute best thing a movie based on a (good) series can do. When they try to do something "special" it either alienates the fans, or just comes out crap.
This jazzy noir style film is simply elegant! (Score:5, Interesting)
The voice acting in the English dubbed movie is simply beautiful each character seams to match there Japanese actor counter part perfectly. The director Shinichiro Watanabe amazed me with his directing in the series but his directing of the movie blew me away. The choreography of the martial arts was amazing. Spike perfect use of Jet Kun Do, the style developed by Bruce lee, was beautiful and fluid. While the Special Forces style of martial arts Shotokan is shown for its hard stiff movements but amazing use of power with little effort. Wanatabe has this eye of such things to make you even sit back and thing you were watching two actual people fighting when he directs each scene out.
I am very much looking forward to his take on the new Animatrix film called "Kids story" due out in May for download.
The movie even though dealing with a biological threat makes you sit back and look at why the villain is doing what he is doing. Seeing even in his madness there is this perfect solid calm of reason. One point in the movie that made me laugh that I didn't think I read in the Japanese version was when Vincent "the villain" is in the car with his hacker associate Leo. Leo is talking while playing on an old game saying back in the old days all you needed as 5 buttons and a great game was how hacking back in the day was easy
Then making a reference to how captain crunch hacked the phone systems with a simple whistle at 2600 hertz. I laughed out so hard that half that didn't get the reference in the theater turned. Funning thing was that it was also the first Friday of the month and right after the movie I was going to a dc 2600 meeting.
Over the entire movie was beautiful but what make cowboy bebop what it is, is right in its title the bebop! The series and movie cowboy bebop with its amazing score and music done by the great Japanese "Female" (I not this because she has over 100 shows and movie under her belt and most people think she is a he) Composer Kanno, Yoko was simply spell binding with its 20's/30's big band jazzy fashion. But Miss Kanno took the movie a different direction pulling songs from newer movies such as the opening song from the cheesy 1989 movie "Earth Girls Are Easy" (Jim carry, Damon Waynes, and Jeff Goldblum). But as the action gears up giving a jazzier feel like we usually have from Cowboy Bebop and then adding a twist of an electronic hard house jazzy sound of the more modern variety but still keeping the typical trumpet/snare drum sounds you typically find in jazz.
Sitting during this movie two times now at the Washington DC premiere at Dupont circle was a joy, nay a privilege. As I sat with fellow anime fans it was amazing to see the non anime fans get the jokes they had in the movie just the same as the full blown "otaku" anime fans. The movie at times seems to go on and on but in a way that even if your ass hurts in the seat the movie makes you want to keep watching and not fall asleep because its stylistic art it's simply beautiful in all ways fluid form. Most of my friends who have seen it simply say it's a 2 hour long episode. But that can be is so far from the truth I realize they have no clue what they are saying. This movie was a salute to an amazing anime series and gives its last Farwell leaving us happy to know that seeing it made us smile and look at things with different perspectives.
Re:One thing (Score:2, Interesting)
I'd like to add something to this: the manga and anime that comes overseas tends to be recognized as high-level media.
While more Japanese than Americans will go see an animated show without the aid/insistence of a small child, Anime is not near as popular or as well-respected as other cinema forms.
And most manga is pulp, just like comics over here. Sure, more people read them over there, but not all that many.
People who view anime and manga as the height of Japanese culture[1] are completely ignoring the fact that most people in Japan do not catch the latest anime flick, whereas they are far more likely to watch the latest Hollywood movie that comes over.
I make a similar mistake myself: I tend to watch a lot of movies that are not mainstream. I tend to forget that others do not watch them. Most people have not seen Three Colors, nor have they seen Being John Malkovitch, nor have they seen Seven Samurai, for that matter.
So, just keep in mind: anime and manga have just about the same 1/10/90 split[2] as the other artforms. We just so happen to get the top 10% here.
[1] - Not saying that the above poster does this. Just making a general statement.
[2] - 1/10/90 means:
- 1% is literary
- 10% is good
- 90% is crap. Some of it may be enjoyable, but it's crap.
It's a general rule that happens to work out for many things.Two thumbs down. (Score:2, Interesting)
The fidelity of the animation, special effects, and sound were good, but not great. On the big screen the colors pallete the artists used seemed ordinary, but there was a commendable amount of movement and smoothness considering this is anime. The positive aspects of this anime end here however, as there were serious issues with the thematic elements of the film.
The premise, and the lack of suspended disbelief thereof, were absurd. They are in Mars in about 2070, yet there are slums. A good friend of mine assures me that "If you watched the first 10 episodes, it would make sense" but I don't remember major film releases requiring those kind of clauses to view them, so I can't give this one a pass. For example, I saw, and enjoyed "X-men" even though I never read the comics, among other cartoon or comic film interpretations that were executed well and didn't require a huge investment of time on the part of the viewer.
The plot of this particular "episode" was ludicrous and could barely raise anyones heartbeat considering the craziness going on in the world today. The dialog was hackneyed and the characters went from the under-developed (Vincent) to the utterly annoying (Edward).
The execution of this film, considering it was anime, left much to be desired. It could have ended sooner, with an additional half hour for another boring fight scene not worth the price of admission. The flight scenes were direct ripoffs of Star Wars and Macross, and showed a lack of creativity. The creators also failed to exploit the female characters to their potentional, either as serious roles or as sex objects.
In all, "Cowboy Bebop" is one of those anime films that has a cult following because it has a cult following. While initially excited to watch this movie, I left disappointed and wondered if I'd be willing to make future investments in anime genres that attempt to crossover contemporary and sci-fi themes.
Two thumbs down.
Slightly unfair to the reviewers (Score:2, Interesting)
There is a lot of bad anime, and its comonly recognized that "90% of anything is crap" be it SciFi, code, movies, books, or anime. The Cowboy Bebop series is emphaticly *not* in the 90%, but the movie does slip a little.
When I first saw a fansub of the movie at the MIT anime club at the Halloween 2001 showing, I liked it, but I didn't love it the way I did some of the episodes in the TV series. Of course, comparing anything to say-Ballad of Fallen Angels is completly unfair, but it isn't unreasonable for critics to complain that the movie falls from the heights that are Cowboy Bebop.
The movie had great animation and a solid plot, but it lacked some of the series' style and was a little slow (and not the good slow that GitS represents). If you liked the series, I'd recomend it, but it isn't in the same leauge as Spirited Away.
A few points about cinema, animated or not (Score:2, Interesting)
The reviewer writes:
which I find quite amusing since Ghibli films (of which Chihiro is the latest released outside of Japan) are well renowned for their exquisitely hand-drawn backgrounds.
A poster claims that the action in the movie is even better than in the series, and since I haven't seen the movie yet, I wonder, how can it possibly be better than in the Pierrot le Fou episode? By the way, Pierrot le Fou is the title of a classic French film (1965) by Jean-Luc Godard with Jean-Pierre Belmondo and Anna Karina.
Another poster notes that an advantage of animated cinema is that in fantasy settings, anything can be drawn without additionnal cost. Another advantage is that everything blends: reality and fantasy share the same status, whereas in photographic cinema fantasy is rendered by special effects which can often be distinguished from a normal picture. The movie Perfect Blue shows this effect quite well, I think. This distinction is nevertheless quickly fading, with the advent of always better computer generated special effects, and the abuse of CG in animation. Another feature of animated cinema is that everything that is seen on screen had to be decided upon, so that it can be claimed that every element of a picture carries a meaning, at least much more so than in traditionnal movies.
Xavier