Battle Angel - Hopefully James Cameron Will Do This Title Some Good.

"Gunnm" was probably the most popular manga when distributors started importing Japanese comics to the States.  The manga was so popular and adored by the biggest celebrity advocates for the product that James Cameron will attempt to adapt it to the live action format in 2011 (realized in 2019).

I have a good feeling that this project will be better than "Titanic (more fun, not as good).  "Aliens" happens to be my favorite film of his, and if Gally (the lead), is Ripley tough, how will the sham of a best picture hope to compare?  Just hope he doesn't take her to the point of Linda Hamilton nuts or Jessica Alba too hot to focus on talent (Of course, neither since Robert Rodriguez directed).

Episodes: Rusty Angel - Tear Sign

When one sees the hype there was about the "Battle Angel Alita" manga you'd figure the anime just had to be good. Well this is one of the rare times I felt disappointed in one of my purchases. I'm sure the manga is good, so when you watch this film, you are left to wonder how is that*.

Maybe it was trying too hard, maybe it was trying to package too much into two episodes, or maybe there is just something that the manga had that we'll never see animated. It is probably a mixture of the three, and after you watch it a second time, you won't be as harsh on it.  Then again that may have been me just being prepared for the disappointment.

There are a lot good things in this series, but it does seem to be a little confused about what it wants to be: very, very dark or bittersweet. This wasn't received well in Japan, and I can see why. Maybe if I was a fan of the manga I could offer a better opinion. All in all, its a chance purchase for the buyer. Maybe that is why I started so many of the sentences with maybe^_^

*So, "Alita: Battle Angel", the Cameron adaptation, is stunning, adequately acted and far more action packed. Sadly, he was a purist and adapted the same stories from the anime (also the first two stories of the manga). These are not great stories, but at least the Rodriguez film worked them out better. It leaves me tempted to read the manga. Maybe the drawing are superior.

Rusty Angel

While sifting through Zalem's dump for spare parts, Dr. Ido finds the body of a living cyborg. He decides to rebuild her as his daughter and/ since she can't remember anything/ gives her the name of Gally. The only thing that Gally can do from her past is fight, and after saving Ido's life from two brain-eating gladiator robots, she decides to become a Hunter Warrior, the only form of law enforcement in Scrap Iron City. This maybe a mistake though when Ido's former partner and now rival, Chiren, decides to repair and upgrade one of the Gladiator's, Greweicia, to humiliate Ido through the destruction of Gally.

Now this was a great introductory episode. We become familiar with the two extremely likable main characters, and we are presented with a decent character foil. The artwork and action are well done except for the finale, and the atmosphere works well. It does seem to try to pack a little too much in one 35 min. film which is pretty common, but there is a feeling that they may have skipped some details about the characters to do so.

The story works, but could have been a lot better. At least it makes you want to see the next film hoping for all the flaws to be worked out. Also this has to be viewed in subtitled form because with such a dark atmosphere, and perhaps overly dark at some points, Gally (Amanda Winn who also does most of the female lead voices for A.D.V. Films) and Yugo (Spike Spencer who also does the voices of most young boys for A.D.V. Films) just sound overly cute and innocent. This is the first time I have disliked A.D.V. Films dubbing, and when most of my Evangelion collection is dubbed that is saying something.

Tear Sign

To help the only person she cares about besides for Ido, Yugo, Gally has increased her hours as a hunter warrior to collect enough money to go with him to the Zalem, this universe's high society. Yugo has his own way of making money, and becomes a target when he tries to steal a fellow hunter warrior's spine. His employer, Vector, decides that using him to make Gally fight as the "Battle Angel" in the gladiator ring seems like a great money making plan, and sends Chiren to capture him. In the mean time Gally has to stop other hunters from catching Yugo and to also convince him to think of more things besides escaping to Zalem.

Now this episode is nothing when compared to the first. There are no great action sequences, the romance seems too hollow, predictable, and too damn cute, and the story does anything it can to depress you. You will feel that they should try another OAV for a definitive Battle Angel, but you also do not want to see another screw up. There just is not anything powerful about this. It sounds like I'm being too harsh.  Ido and Gally are still likable. I still watch it every so oven, so its not overly painful, and this seems to be a love it or hate it show. Again the viewer is taking a big chance purchasing Battle Angel.

Battle Angel © 1993 Yukito Kishiro / Business Jump / Shueisha / Kss, Inc. / Movic

After These, Just One More Set of Evangelion Reviews

Issue 9 --- Issue 10
What kills me about re-archiving stuff from my Evangelion web pages is this.

I leave their tabs open when I close Firefox, so the Midi's start blaring when I open it back up. It's imperative that I post these reviews up since the midi from this one is Black Sabbath's "Paranoid". I can't let this song get ruined like I allowed a couple of Road Warrior marks ruin "Iron Man".

Stage 9: The Trial of a True Fan

A new angel has arrived, and despite his problems at school, Shinji is ready to pilot. After trying to waste the enemy with his rifle, the angel is able to take out the Eva's umbilical cable. To make matters worse, Shinji also must avoid crushing Toji and Kensuke.


This volume has some great color artwork and with the battle having a good cliffhanger point, it makes this the best action packed Eva yet. No, there isn't much for character building, but everything does fit together well making this worth while.


Stage 10: Shonen and Knife


Shinji is feeling rebellious. First, he allows the two kids into the plug. Then, he disobeys Misato's order to retreat. Now Shinji has 30 sec. to take one last stab at the enemy.


Again, some beautiful artwork, and continuing the battle from where it left off works well unlike Dragon Ball Z on the tube does (email russthebus-cubs@lycos.com if you think they should replace it with Robotech or Voltron on Cartoon Network's Toonami). I do feel that the anime is better when it comes to being episodic. It allows for better character development, but the ending does seem to show us that Shinji has more feelings than we first thought.

Neon Genesis Evangelion © 1995 Gainax

www.artstation.com

El-Hazard: russstevens.blogspot.com's Last Anime Review

This is one of the must own anime series as far as I am concerned. El-Hazard has the humor that would make it the perfect anime for Adult Swim. It would serve as a nice crossover for the AS fans who just want humor, and are pissed about the Saturday anime block.

Again this is an argument that I touch up a bit with my Animeflow website. Also, this will be the last anime review on russstevens.blogspot.com, so here is the only midi I have not reposted that will not fit with my new anime blog. Queen's "Another One Bites the Dust".

"El-Hazard: The Magnificent World - Night 1"

Under Shinanome High School, an ancient shrine has been discovered, supposedly by Katsuhiko Jinai. Many of his classmates believe him to be lying about this a long with his class presidency election victory, and his sister Nanami a long with Makoto Mizuhara are out to impeach him. Jinai is fed up with being out done by Makoto, and decides to get his lifelong rival out of the impeachment scene the night before the trial. When he nearly catches Makoto, the entire school freezes except for Makoto. Makoto, wondering what has happened, wanders into the shrine. Here he meets a women who claims to know him. She is weak and decides to use whatever strength she has left to transport him to El-Hazard.

Exposition seems to be slow in every series, but at least we get a pretty good idea of what the characters are going to be like. With Jinai's annoying voice and attitude, he should make a descent villain. Nanami is the ideal foil for her brother and will probably work out well. And who will not enjoy the drunk gym teacher? All of the characters seem to make for an interesting supporting cast to surround Makoto, the character we're all suppose to relate to. The cast is mixed up in a similar style as "Tenchi Muyo!" (the directors are the same), but a greater draw to this series is a running story instead of the sitcom style TM (OVAs). A long with all this, there is great animation and an excellent soundtrack which makes it a must buy for any anime fan.

www.animeprintz.com

Almost Have All The Evangelion Manga Reviews Rescued from Geocities

Book 1 - Issue 6 --- Book 2 - Issue 1 --- Book 2 - Issue 2

Just one more set of reviews after this one, and I can stop this blog from being consumed by the past. But from a theological standpoint, or it a philosophical...fuck it, this is Evangelion, so will go with the prior...anyway the past is part of us, just don't let it consume you.

Why did I go with a quote (okay, a paraphrase) from "Master of Tai Chi" (favorite Jet Li film) which just confirms the statement before it? Probably the alcoholic part of me. Watch Master of Tai Chi to understand that.

As for the musical menu tonight, the theme for these reviews was "Glycerin" by Bush. I was looking for "Swallowed," but I suppose I was thinking faster than people were converting their Casio talents to data files.

Stage 6: I... Cry

After a nightmare with the same monster from his Eva experience, Shinji awakens in the hospital. Here he sees Rei again, and his father talking to her and only glaring at him. Misato comes to pick up Shinji and to discuss his lodgings.

Again, there doesn't seem to be much for character building in a non-action issue, but this stage is pretty good. There is a lot of comedy and a full story instead of the DBZ one piece of the action per issue deal. Also the ending of the issue gives us great incite into the character of Shinji.
Stage 7: Closing Hearts

Geez, you come to a school after a catastrophe occurs in the city, and immediately people start to say things about you. Shinji cannot keep the secret that he is an Eva pilot from his classmates. Despite the respect of many, one kid, Toji Suzahara wants to beat the crap out of him for accidentally injuring his little sister in the battle with the Angel. Despite all this drama, Shinji is still willing to pilot the Eva, but he does wonder why.

If they took out the Angels, all the issues would be as full as the first, fifth, and sixth. There is still a problem with building the supporting cast personalities, but Shinji keeps getting additions to him which may be more important. Again the comedy seems to be put wherever it can to break up the drama. This really helps make this issue and the above mentioned issues (except 5) work so well.

Shinji's Bad Mood

Shinji must feel like pissing everyone off. Misato is angered at how Shinji is so willing to kill himself if needed, and Toji still wants a piece. Somehow, Shinji continues with the way he acts which seems likely to place him is some really deep s***. If it wasn't for an Angel attack, Toji may have been able to try his own psychological therapy of our hero.

The issue does shows us how great Toji and Kensuke will act as a team, and it finally shows that Misato is a much deeper character. The conflict between Shinji and Toji does seem like it is played for laughs which is funny, but it sort of hurts the story. Still, this maybe worth it since we now have the completion of the three stooges.

Neon Genesis Evangelion © 1995 Gainax courtesy of Viz Comics