http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B003G52BN0?ie=UTF8&tag=animeotaku00-20&linkCode=xm2&camp=1789&creativeASIN=B003G52BN0
The folks at ADV (and after its license rescue, at Funimation) know Devil May Cry's strengths well. It's no coincidence that every volume features more extras (mostly previews and cut scenes) for the Devil May Cry 4 game than for the series proper. After all, the game is the only thing the series has going for it. It's the reason the series got made, and its fans are the only people likely to enjoy the smelly slaughterhouse of butchered anime clichés that resulted. The series is an animated Frankenstein monster, a mash-up of fashionably over-utilized elements such as half-demon protectors, sexy lady warriors, tidal waves of blood, dorky demons, blunderingly obvious naming conventions, and perpetually broke jacks of all trades. Not to mention pervasive phallic imagery and a meticulously consistent lack of subtlety.
Director Shin Itagaki's camera slides over Hisashi Abe's slinky female designs, Dante uses his oversized Freudian weaponry to assert his dominance, and much slicing and exploding occurs. But rarely does it all gel into something interesting. As lead character, Dante does little more than project stylish ennui and effortlessly dispatch various uglies. So effortless is his monster dispatching that none of the fights can muster any suspense, and so stony is his demeanor that he's more deus-ex-machina than flesh-and-blood human (or demon, or whatever). The secondary cast might have compensated, but unfortunately Patty is a mere plot device, a failed ploy to add humanity to Dante, and the supporting players are stock characters of the most insultingly unelaborated type. Hardly the stuff of intense audience identification. Nothing that the all-star Japanese cast or the intensely faithful English adaptation does changes that (though Reuben Langdon's flippant Dante is a step in the right direction). Nor could they reasonably be expected to. No matter how experienced one is, no one can turn garbage like “the longer one gambles, the more interesting it becomes...the same as a kiss” into gold without being a certified alchemist.
Saturday, April 16, 2011
Wolfgang Puck Coffee, Jamaica Me Crazy
http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B003VXL0V6?ie=UTF8&tag=animeotaku00-20&linkCode=xm2&camp=1789&creativeASIN=B003VXL0V6
Stubbornly episodic, the plot is a collection of standalone tales, each of which focuses largely on one of Dante's clients. That may seem a wise move given Dante's cold reticence, but the series' writers aren't deft enough to flesh out a character in a bare twenty minutes, which leaves viewers with precious little to care about, despite the focus on universal familial and romantic relationships. Only once—in the two-part finale, during Patty's messy and emotionally charged attempt to revive a crucified Dante—is the series freed from the confines of its episodic nature long enough to demonstrate what it might be capable of were it given room to develop its soft emotional underbelly. But it never really gets the chance, which leaves the series with nothing to fall back on but its action.
Devil May Cry's look is vintage MADHOUSE, employing many of their seasoned veterans (Hisashi Abe, art director Katsushi Aoki, devil designer Yutaka Minowa). Beefy men with big manly jaws and lithe women with generous womanly mouths dominate the cast, and fast, furious motion is emphasized over flashy CG effects. Unfortunately Itagaki squanders this wealth of experience on action scenes so busy and crammed with distorted angles that they devolve into senseless montages of flashing swords, blazing guns, and random geysers of blood. It's such a conspicuous waste of talent that it's almost a relief when he starts cutting corners by dressing up stills and implying movement with fancy editing.
Stubbornly episodic, the plot is a collection of standalone tales, each of which focuses largely on one of Dante's clients. That may seem a wise move given Dante's cold reticence, but the series' writers aren't deft enough to flesh out a character in a bare twenty minutes, which leaves viewers with precious little to care about, despite the focus on universal familial and romantic relationships. Only once—in the two-part finale, during Patty's messy and emotionally charged attempt to revive a crucified Dante—is the series freed from the confines of its episodic nature long enough to demonstrate what it might be capable of were it given room to develop its soft emotional underbelly. But it never really gets the chance, which leaves the series with nothing to fall back on but its action.
Devil May Cry's look is vintage MADHOUSE, employing many of their seasoned veterans (Hisashi Abe, art director Katsushi Aoki, devil designer Yutaka Minowa). Beefy men with big manly jaws and lithe women with generous womanly mouths dominate the cast, and fast, furious motion is emphasized over flashy CG effects. Unfortunately Itagaki squanders this wealth of experience on action scenes so busy and crammed with distorted angles that they devolve into senseless montages of flashing swords, blazing guns, and random geysers of blood. It's such a conspicuous waste of talent that it's almost a relief when he starts cutting corners by dressing up stills and implying movement with fancy editing.
Wolfgang Puck Coffee, Breakfast in Bed (Medium Roast)
http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B003VXHGE6?ie=UTF8&tag=animeotaku00-20&linkCode=xm2&camp=1789&creativeASIN=B003VXHGE6
Deep within the forests of Masaymura era Japan, a village inhabited by the nearly extinct Emishi people is attacked by a demon god. A young prince known as Ashitaka comes to the aid of his shattered kind, and in the process of defeating this great evil, he comes under a curse. Taking the form of a scar, this curse will slowly devour his flesh and his soul. Following the advice of a wise oracle, he journeys to the source of the demon, a settlement in the Far East. Here, he will encounter a grisly battle between a man-made iron mill, led by the fierce and independent Lady Eboshi, and the last remaining animal gods. How can he find a peaceful solution to this senseless battle, a battle where hate blinds enemies from their own actions?
Deep within the forests of Masaymura era Japan, a village inhabited by the nearly extinct Emishi people is attacked by a demon god. A young prince known as Ashitaka comes to the aid of his shattered kind, and in the process of defeating this great evil, he comes under a curse. Taking the form of a scar, this curse will slowly devour his flesh and his soul. Following the advice of a wise oracle, he journeys to the source of the demon, a settlement in the Far East. Here, he will encounter a grisly battle between a man-made iron mill, led by the fierce and independent Lady Eboshi, and the last remaining animal gods. How can he find a peaceful solution to this senseless battle, a battle where hate blinds enemies from their own actions?
eat Post Honey Bunches of Oats with Almonds Cereal, 18-Ounce Boxes (Pack of 5)
http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B001M23W4G?ie=UTF8&tag=animeotaku00-20&linkCode=xm2&camp=1789&creativeASIN=B001M23W4G
She's late, she's late, and you won't believe her fate! It's down the bunny hole and through the looking glass as lovely young Miyuki takes a mind-boggling trip through the wildest wonderland ever animated!
The fabulous artists of CLAMP, Japan's famous all-female art team, have created an entirely new universe where everything from the dormouse to the door is undeniably feminine. From the seductive Cheshire Cat to the S&M Queen of Hearts, enjoy a dazzling array of femme fatales and sexy surrealism with Miyuki-chan!
She's late, she's late, and you won't believe her fate! It's down the bunny hole and through the looking glass as lovely young Miyuki takes a mind-boggling trip through the wildest wonderland ever animated!
The fabulous artists of CLAMP, Japan's famous all-female art team, have created an entirely new universe where everything from the dormouse to the door is undeniably feminine. From the seductive Cheshire Cat to the S&M Queen of Hearts, enjoy a dazzling array of femme fatales and sexy surrealism with Miyuki-chan!
use Pampers Sensitive Baby Wipes Refills
http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B001EWF2GU?ie=UTF8&tag=animeotaku00-20&linkCode=xm2&camp=1789&creativeASIN=B001EWF2GU
The dub is flawed, at best. Some of the voices are just not serious enough or sound a little too jokey and foppish to really be considered adequate. Gats sounds a little young and not harsh enough; Caska is a bit too bitchy. Griffith, one of the few well-cast voices, still flubs some of his lines with poor acting choices and bad inflection. The outtakes, included on the DVD, are absolutely hilarious and worth listening to even if you don't watch the dub. Furthermore, there's an interesting video interview with the producer of the series, who has a few interesting things to say. He also states that he'd like to work on a sequel, something that would be welcomed with open arms by the fan community.
All in all, if you have a single bone in your body that's interested in dark fantasy, do not pass Berserk up. It is the finest example of its genre available on the market today and is based on a manga that nearly surpasses all others in terms of quality and popularity. The TV series was a resounding success and remains enchanting, entertaining and truly terrifying to this day. Watch this show.
The dub is flawed, at best. Some of the voices are just not serious enough or sound a little too jokey and foppish to really be considered adequate. Gats sounds a little young and not harsh enough; Caska is a bit too bitchy. Griffith, one of the few well-cast voices, still flubs some of his lines with poor acting choices and bad inflection. The outtakes, included on the DVD, are absolutely hilarious and worth listening to even if you don't watch the dub. Furthermore, there's an interesting video interview with the producer of the series, who has a few interesting things to say. He also states that he'd like to work on a sequel, something that would be welcomed with open arms by the fan community.
All in all, if you have a single bone in your body that's interested in dark fantasy, do not pass Berserk up. It is the finest example of its genre available on the market today and is based on a manga that nearly surpasses all others in terms of quality and popularity. The TV series was a resounding success and remains enchanting, entertaining and truly terrifying to this day. Watch this show.
eat tast Snickers Candy Bar, 2.07-Ounce Bars
http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B001HXI0V0?ie=UTF8&tag=animeotaku00-20&linkCode=xm2&camp=1789&creativeASIN=B001HXI0V0
The most significant occurrence on this disc is Griffith's capture and subsequent torture. Before this volume, it was difficult to pinpoint exactly what went wrong with Griffith. Is he a good guy, or a bad guy? Was the Egg of the King a tool of corruption, or just a trinket? Those questions and more are finally answered here, and the result is a wondrously macabre bit of storytelling that will leave you breathless in anticipation for the conclusion. Until this point, Griffith was by far the most interesting character, but still a supporting player. He takes center stage in this release, and rightfully so; he is perhaps the most complicated and convincing anime villain ever to grace the small screen. Berserk's screenwriting should be celebrated for being the sheer creative genius that it is. It's almost impossible to find an action series that is this deep, with characters this textured and fleshed out. The series features truly three-dimensional characters, each with hopes, dreams and fears; as the series gets closer to the end, we see how frantic things have become, and the toll the stress is taking on each cast member. It's brilliant writing, and while much is owed to Kentaro Miura's original manga, the screenwriters must receive some credit.
The animation isn't anything particular to write home about. The series does show its age, although the video presentation on this DVD seems sharper and crisper than previous volumes in this release. The music, however, is certainly worth praising. Scored by Susumu Hirasawa, the score leaps effortlessly from haunting and melodic to dark and sinister in the blink of an eye, maintaining credibility and flow throughout. Simply put, if you're watching Berserk for eye candy, you're watching for the wrong reasons. The show isn't ugly or poorly animated by any means, but it is exceedingly dark and sometimes sparsely animated, so don't expect the next Metropolis.
The most significant occurrence on this disc is Griffith's capture and subsequent torture. Before this volume, it was difficult to pinpoint exactly what went wrong with Griffith. Is he a good guy, or a bad guy? Was the Egg of the King a tool of corruption, or just a trinket? Those questions and more are finally answered here, and the result is a wondrously macabre bit of storytelling that will leave you breathless in anticipation for the conclusion. Until this point, Griffith was by far the most interesting character, but still a supporting player. He takes center stage in this release, and rightfully so; he is perhaps the most complicated and convincing anime villain ever to grace the small screen. Berserk's screenwriting should be celebrated for being the sheer creative genius that it is. It's almost impossible to find an action series that is this deep, with characters this textured and fleshed out. The series features truly three-dimensional characters, each with hopes, dreams and fears; as the series gets closer to the end, we see how frantic things have become, and the toll the stress is taking on each cast member. It's brilliant writing, and while much is owed to Kentaro Miura's original manga, the screenwriters must receive some credit.
The animation isn't anything particular to write home about. The series does show its age, although the video presentation on this DVD seems sharper and crisper than previous volumes in this release. The music, however, is certainly worth praising. Scored by Susumu Hirasawa, the score leaps effortlessly from haunting and melodic to dark and sinister in the blink of an eye, maintaining credibility and flow throughout. Simply put, if you're watching Berserk for eye candy, you're watching for the wrong reasons. The show isn't ugly or poorly animated by any means, but it is exceedingly dark and sometimes sparsely animated, so don't expect the next Metropolis.
eat tast Samplette & Mixed Nut Assortment
http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B001LZYPP4?ie=UTF8&tag=animeotaku00-20&linkCode=xm2&camp=1789&creativeASIN=B001LZYPP4
Volume five of Media Blasters' DVD release of the dark fantasy masterpiece Berserk maintains the high level of quality fans have come to expect from this series. Berserk stands as one of the most beloved fantasy anime series of all time, and this volume is no exception. If you've been watching the volumes as they come out, then you're in for a few new surprises with this volume as the series plummets ever closer to its horrifying and sobering conclusion.
The episodes contained on this disc are just as important, if not more important, than any other episodes in the series. Unlike most other anime, Berserk is a chain with no weak links; every episode is absolutely integral to the storyline and must be viewed in sequential order to fully grasp the depth of the plot. Here, you will see Griffith begin his long descent in to chaos. You'll see Caska and Guts draw closer to eachother, drawn together by an unspoken affection. You'll see the rest of the White Hawks play out their final days together, struggling to maintain solidarity against impossible odds. The beautiful and terrifying drama of Berserk is in full force on this disc, and fans of the series will be pleased to no end.
Volume five of Media Blasters' DVD release of the dark fantasy masterpiece Berserk maintains the high level of quality fans have come to expect from this series. Berserk stands as one of the most beloved fantasy anime series of all time, and this volume is no exception. If you've been watching the volumes as they come out, then you're in for a few new surprises with this volume as the series plummets ever closer to its horrifying and sobering conclusion.
The episodes contained on this disc are just as important, if not more important, than any other episodes in the series. Unlike most other anime, Berserk is a chain with no weak links; every episode is absolutely integral to the storyline and must be viewed in sequential order to fully grasp the depth of the plot. Here, you will see Griffith begin his long descent in to chaos. You'll see Caska and Guts draw closer to eachother, drawn together by an unspoken affection. You'll see the rest of the White Hawks play out their final days together, struggling to maintain solidarity against impossible odds. The beautiful and terrifying drama of Berserk is in full force on this disc, and fans of the series will be pleased to no end.
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