Ranting-Prodigy Reviews

Wanted (2008)

A fast-paced Epic of endless proportion!

[9/10 · 21 July 2008]

It's been called "ear-throttling nonsense" and "the cinematic equivalent of an energy drink" but in my opinion is entertainment personified. From the beginning the viewer is thrust into a fast-paced adrenaline pumping world full of intrigue, originality and fun. Many people demean this film owing to the impossible action sequences and improbable circumstances however I don't think these people realize the origin of the movie. Wanted is a rip off of a brilliant comic by the same name which surrounds an assassin cult of infinite ability (called The Fraternity) owing to their supernatural ability to focus to an astounding extent. Yes, what they do is impossible, just as with Superman, Spiderman or any other Superhero ever produced.

Truly I found Wanted a fresh innovative heart-pumper of endless proportions linking new camera techniques with an invigorating storyline that leaves the viewer gasping for more.

Vandread (2000–2001)

Vandread

[15 March 2006]

Vandread a story about two distant worlds where society has split into two groups, the Men and the Woman. Both sides hate each other, and come up with stories so scary people cower in the corners at the mere mention of their enemy. Vandread out starts with Hibiki Tokai, a young, wannabe pilot, though his position is in parts manufacturing. He takes a dare to steal a Bangata (The Men's newest mecha, that nobody knows how to pilot), and is instead launched into space on the christening of the ship that had brought them to their planet. When the ship is attacked by Women Pirates, he is one of the three men captured.

Through a freak accident, however, the ship, along with the Pirate Ship, had been connected and made compatible by a crystal originating from the Plexus, considered to be an ideal energy source. When Hibiki is captured, the plot begins to thicken, as the Pirates are attacked by an unknown enemy. This leads to one of the best story lines I've heard in a while.

Through fate or not, Hibiki, Bart, and Duero befriend the Pirates, and they become a team as they try to return to their home planets. Along the way, they discover secrets which make the storyline phenomenal to the point where its considered awe-inspiring, even to the viewer.

I loved Vandread this is definitely now one of my favorite series and I definitely enjoyed it. Its got a great storyline, and the characters develop perfectly. Hibiki is definitely my favorite, though even though he can be a bit of an idiot at times. He is constantly trying to prove himself to the point that he almost gets himself killed multiple times. Also the fight scenes were new and refreshing with the CG animation playing a big part in its attractiveness. The storyline is definitely the best part of this anime. The storyline is perfectly laid out in the anime, and it's worth the $20 or whatever you pay for it a DVD. Alos the great thing about Vandread is you can watch it again and again. I've watched it twice now and I could watch it again.

~Cyn1c

Gankutsuou: The Count of Monte Cristo (2004–2005)

A great Anime Title well worth watching...

[15 March 2006]

///Before you even read this review let me warn you that if you are looking for an anime with a lot of action and pointless fighting this anime is not for you. If on the other hand you are looking for an anime with a brilliant storyline and amazing animation, Gankatsuou is a must see for you.\\\

Firstly let me just mention I usually don't watch Gonzo anime as I've had bad experiences and huge disappointments with their anime in the past, but let me tell you that Gonzo has made up for all of there previous disappointments and useless anime titles with Gankutsuou because Gankutsuou is just plain brilliant. As most of you will know Gankutsuou is an adaption of the book The Count of Monte Cristo which I have now read and can personally say is brilliant.

Anyways Gankutsuou unlike the book which is set in the 1800's century is set far in the future in the 5050's, but like the book it is set in Paris where the Danglar's, who control the financial world, the Morcerf's, who control military affairs, and the Villefort's, who preside over the courts basically rule the country. The anime mainly follows Albert the son of General de Morceft, and his best friend, Franz (who isn't really rich or anything but is going to marry into the Villefort family). Gankutsuou starts of with Albert and Franz taking a trip to Luna to get away and have a vacation and that is where they meet the Count of Monte Cristo and Gankutsuou begins.

The storyline progresses and you find out more and more about the Count, his past and the pasts of the Danglar's, Morcerf's, and the Villefort's. What is so amazing about Gankutsuous storyline is that it is so much like the book but at the same time is totally different. For instance the book and the anime are set in different millenniums and the book is from the point of view of The Count of Monte Cristo and the anime is from the point of view of Albert Morceft but amazingly you learn just about everything you learn in the book from Albert's point of view in the anime. The story also goes into Albert and Franz's love lives a lot as the characters learn that loving the person you marry is more important than if there rich or not or if they come from a good house etcetera (the typical emotional thing you can expect from Gonzo). Anyways you eventually find out about the Count, the Danglar's, Morcerf's, and the Villefort's pasts and how they intertwine. That's when the storyline really gets interesting. On a bad note the main character Albert is your typical kind hearted main character who thinks everyone is good and that the world is a happy place where nothing bad happens (but thankfully he learns differently latter in the anime).

The animation was in my opinion breath taking Gonzo used color/shape patterns to shade the characters' clothing and to make the environment look fantastic. The backgrounds in this anime are fantastically detailed and this anime literally shows you an amazing side of Paris with many of Paris's historical monuments such as the Arc De Triumph (I hope I spelled that right) and the Eiffel Tower. Also this anime uses allot of CG and 3D animation to add depth to the environment and to make the few battle scenes in Gankutsuou look amazing. Some scenes in Gankutsuou are virtually all 3D generated such as a duel that happens half way through the anime.

Now when it comes to the music in Gankatsuou I have to admit that when I first started watching it I didn't like it at all and skipped through the song at the beginning of each episode and didn't bother watching the ending song but in the end of the series you understand how well the songs truly fit into this anime and really come to appreciate them, or at least I did (especially the beginning song). As for sound effects well I though they where very good as well. For instance when you watch the piano being played for each note that is hit you hear the same note that you would hear if you played on a real piano.

Anyways overall I loved Gankatsuou and think that it was brilliant in just about every aspect. Though it lacks action it makes up for it any every other aspect. I definitely recommend Gankatsuou to anyone looking for a good anime. On a side note if you watched the 2002 The Count of Mote Cristo movie with James Caviezel it will not totally ruin this anime for you as that movie left out so many details from the original storyline I don't know where to begin. So if you have seen the movie don't fret, and if you haven't it will only add to the suspense. Also just so you know this is one of those series that you watch once and will not really be able to watch it again (for awhile anyways) so I don't know if buying the DVD is the best investment (so rent or download it). Lastly I watched this anime subbed and it sounded to me that the voice acting was very good and was timed well but I haven't seen it dubbed so I can't say how it is in English though.

My total rating 9 out of 10.

~Cyn1c