Akira (1988)

What it lacks in sense, it makes up for in epic shots and storytelling. A very humorous film, it might be. But I don't think it was supposed to be. Based in the futuristic dystopia of 2019 Tokyo, Japan, Akira is a 1988 cyberpunk action anime, Akira follows a motorbike gang, including Shotaro, Tetsuo, Yamagata and Kai, who, after being captured by armed guards, get involved in a mysterious plot, surrounding the mysterious Akira, Colonel Shikishima and Doctor Onishi. I, personally, saw the version which was badly dubbed by over the top Americans, which adds to the unconventional humour of the film. Though it was a serious manga comic, originally spanning 2,182 pages, over-the-top anime conventions that Western audiences have come to expect are in full flow of this film. Lasers, fast motorbikes, explosions, throbbing forehead veins, a tonne of blood and one single shot where a young girl's breasts are shown... though not in a sexual way, just one of the hundreds of examples of crazy violence in the film. As well as classic Japanese anime conventions, there are also moments in the film which pay homage to Western films, literature and comic books. From the Three Musketeers and Superman, to... let's just say it reminded me of the Stay Puft Marshmallow Man from Ghostbusters. At just over two hours, it is a strain to watch. There are many scenes, about three I personally think, where the film MIGHT end, only to continue for another half an hour. Very nice film, but badly dubbed American voices cheeses me off just a little. Comedy comes from scenes with just crazy Japanese storytelling, but overall, a very epic film, with an epic soundtrack to match. Worth a watch, but IIt would be better to have seen the original Japanese film with subtitles.