Now I was not totally new to Manga, I had seen some before but never really knew it was a specific genre all its own. Things like “Battle of the Planet” and others had been on TV and I had always loved that Japanese style. But don’t forget this was before the Internet, there was no way of finding out any of this stuff. Looking back at it now I wonder how I ever managed… but you had what you had, and I was luckier than most.

As it turns out I had seen the Studio Ghibli classic “Castle in the Sky” year before and loved it. But with no way of ever really finding out anything about it, other than its name and the fact I loved that style. If I had seen “Totoro” or “Spirited Away” at that age I would have been forced to find out more about these amazing films.

But I digress, just looking at the cover I knew I had to watch it!

The first viewing

Nikobe was insistent we had to watch it straight away, no time for the normal “Street Fighter II” on the SNES. This was the most important thing that day, and I have to say he was right.

We watched it in silence, right from the beginning it was no ordinary film. Even now it has a style all its own. The visuals were astounding, the sound work amazing, everything about this film was polished and first rate. Unlike anything I had seen before this was animation as I had always wanted it, and it had a strong message that.. in places on that first viewing.. I didn’t understand.

When it finished we watched all the way to the end of the credits. Partly out of respect, I have always tried to stay right to the end. If someone can spend so much of their life making something, the very least I can do is stay to see their name appear on the screen for 20 seconds. But also because we were both dumb struck. What was that we had just watched? Did all that really happen just then? What happened at the end again? Did they solve it? Was that Akira? So Tetsuo can do that thing with his mind, and so can the other kids? Sol is fantastic, can you really make space lasers like that? And he could fly.. is that the mind thing again? Where did those creepy kids go? Are they kids at all? That bit with the flying thing in the lift was cool, what about the bikes at the start.. yep!… how about that bit…… and so on. I think it is probably fair to say we descended into just listing out the cool bits of the film at this point. In my (and Nikobe’s) defence. We were 13 at the time.

The upshot was.. we watched it again. I don’t think we even discussed it. While we were saying how cool it was we just rewound it (yeah.. remember doing that?) and watching it from start to end again.

Eyes open

Akira is a very abstract film in many ways. It has a lot of idea you need to get into your head and no explanations at all. You either love it or hate it, and if you can’t keep up then you have a problem.

After about the fourth of firth viewing (I had my own copy by then) it all starts to come together. Now you are over the shock of just how amazing this film is you are down to its story and production, and this is one of those very rare films that does not disappoint. The sound track is excellent, and every frame is filled with stunning art work.

I can only hope that everyone sees this film as their introduction to Manga and Anime. This film is a true masterpiece, just don’t expect every anime to be this good.

Where to now

So once you have seen this where do you go next? Fortunately this was the time Manga really took off in the UK. I started collecting “Manga Mania” from about issue 4 and saw a whole new world. I just fell in love with Anime and Manga and wanted everything I could get.

At the time “Manga Mania” had just started the complete strip of “Dominion: Tank Police”. That was my first introduction to Masamune Shirow and started a love of his work that would eventually lead me to “Ghost in the Shell” another of my favourite film, and I believe sets the standard by which all Sci-Fi should be judged. But his earlier work was showcased and I really enjoyed it. “Dominion” of course, but “Appleseed” was just as good.

Many others came and went, and I can’t say that many others really grabbed me until I saw Adam Warren’s “Dirty Pair” or Kenichi Sonoda’s “Bubblegum Crisis”. Among all the manga that I thought was OK, there were some that really stood out, these alone were worth getting the magazine for. But all of them were interesting and new.

A fortune on video

So when ever I had the money (not often) I would have to make the trek to one of the larger towns and check out the videos. There was an influx of anime to match the growing demand.

For me this was a blessing and a curse, because along with all the good films there were utterly crap ones. Not just bad, I mean really terrible. Manga Entertainment who were one of the main importers had the most wild quality control. By now I had managed to convince Sideswipe he would like this stuff, little did I know he would go on to become the ultimate collector and otaku (Thanks!). So we would go and look at the videos and buy a few, most of the time we were disappointed but sometimes hit gold. It is thanks to him I found out about Lupin III, and I was able to find Tenchi Muyo and Gunsmith Cats. These were the things we lived for.

This lead to one of the other tricks that really annoyed us all. They would release the first video, not telling you it was the first in a series of 100 episodes (I’m looking at you Slayers). This is what finally put me off, I still love it and look for the best bits but I hated being drawn into these cons. Sideswipe however has never really got out of that trap, and I am hoping at some point he will put up some pictures of his front room.

My pride and joy

From my love of Anime and Manga sprung my love of Japanese culture. That has lead me on to watch Japanese films, something that I don’t think I ever would have done without my start in seeing Akira. I might never have seen classics like “Seven Samurai” or “Battle Royal” without it.

Thank you Nikobe for getting me started, and thank you Sideswipe for taking it to 11!

But there is one other thing Akira has given me. Two amazing posters that have sat in my closet untouched for about 15 years. Sideswipe and I went to a little exhibition, we were a little disappointed but I came away with three things. A cell from Akira itself (which got damaged when it was taken off my wall.. different story) and a pair of limited edition numbered prints. There were only 1000 made in the first run and were supposed to retail for £100 each.. I managed to get them for £15 because the person selling them had no idea what they were.

At some point this year I will finally get them on my wall. I promise!

Sometimes they produce a true classic in their own right. Airplane for example is basically a remake of a 1957 film called “Zero Hour”. A fairly by-the-numbers air disaster film. But with a new look at it a truly hilarious comedy was created.

Then there are cases where the original is a great concept, but the film just does not do it justice. John Carpenter’s 1982 remake of “The Thing” took another obscure film and turned it into a horror classic (one I still have problems watching some scenes).

Every time something new should be brought. Either a new twist on the idea, or just improving it all around with a better director. But a film should never be remade just for the sake of it, and an all time classic definitely shouldn’t.That is the problem with the new trend in Hollywood. They seem intent on taking an already legendary film and remaking it just because it seems they think it will make just as much money again. But as all normal people know its not the film alone that makes it classic, its the combination of actors, director, and all the other parts that went into making it.

There is currently an extensive list of films already in the works that just should not be re-made. I’m sure there are many more being made, but these are the ones that stand out to me as the worst offenders.

The Birds

Alfred Hitchcock re-made by Michael Bay
If you can, you need to see the original. The basic premise is simple, birds start attacking people. A simple and quiet comical idea, but when filmed by Hitchcock even the most simple idea takes on new meaning.

Then we have Mr Bay. The man who have managed to make two Transformers films that don’t actually seem to contain the title character. He has made some great films “The Rock” and “Bad Boys” are both fun to watch. But I think he has over extended when he starts comparing himself with Alfred Hitchcock.

Akira & Ghost in the Shell

Is nothing safe? I have already talked plenty about Ghost in the Shell and what it means. If there is one more film that is more important to anime and science fiction its Akira. This is the film that is responsible for my love of anime.

So lets think for a moment..how can we improve this film? Lets move it from Neo-Jepan to Neo-New York (eh?). DiCaprio will take on Kenada(oh dear!).. only a little older (what?) the the rest of the film stay pretty much unchanged, but in live action (whats the point?).

Dreamworks have picked up Ghost in the Shell. There seem to be little details about it at the moment so we will have to see. But I don’t hold out any hope at all than a live action version can be anything less than terrible. Dreamworks will put a good budget to it, and I’m sure the effects will be great. But they will not get the hard concept at the centre of it because they will be driven by audience reactions and most people won’t be able to handle it.

Nightmare on Elm Street

If you have ever looked through Wes Craven’s back catalog its amazing to me that he made it to make films like “Nightmare on Elm Street”, or “Scream”. Some of his earlier work is hard to watch. I have never understood why “The hills have eyes” is classed as a classic, everyone has their own taste and I can only assume they can see something in it I can not.

That was remade in 2006 and I think is a good candidate to have it done. An interesting idea that can be improved. Its just a shame I don’t enjoy either version.

But “Nightmare on Elm Street” is entirely different film. The original is a horror classic. Stupid in places, horrific in others it is a product of its time and still stands up well. Sporning 5 sequels and a number of spin-offs it has something special.

So there is just no need to remake it, nothing much can be added to it. From what I can tell from the trailer it seems to be a straight up remake of the original film with some parts from the other films. Of all the remakes coming it definitely looks interesting. But I think that says more about Craven’s original idea than it does about this new version.

Fin

There are a number of other remakes on the way. Including the remake of “The Lavender Hill Mob” that made me write this post. The original version is a classic Ealing Comedy. It is a joy to watch, so what possibly can be added to it?

Like the other British films that have been recently remade like “The Ladykillers” or “School for scoundrels” a competent film will be made that compleatly misses the point of the original. But I do enjoy the “Ladykillers” remake.. except of Marlon Wayanes swearing his way through it.

Remake a film becuase you can add something to it. Not just because you think you can.

An all time classic brought up to date

I posted a quick look at what is in this new version of the anime classic, and I have to admit I an thoroughly looking forward to seeing it in a cinema. As I said before this is one of the film that sets the standard for not only anime, but for Sci-fi. With such a precious film it is not easy to back to and make the decision to re-do it. But I think they have come up with an excellent idea of keeping the original film and story intact and enhancing the actual animations.

I was fortunate enough to see the original when it had a limited cinema run back in 1995. Both Nikobe and Sideswipe turned down my invitation to see it, it is one of only a handful of times I have been to a cinema on my own. But tonight we are going to correct that mistake, and all get a chance to see “The Major” battle a walking tank once more.

If you want to see it, it is on for a limited run around the country. Take a look at the official site for times.

We will put something up about our thoughts on this new version. But I already have the Blu-Ray on order, so its going to be good.

It has a new look, but the same story

“Ghost in the Shell” is simply one of the most amazing films ever made! I don’t say that lightly, there are a lot of films out there, but very few come close to the depth and insight portrayed in GITS.

As far as Sci-fi or Anime films go, this is the bench mark. There are only a few other films that can match it (Akira, My neighbor Totoro, basically master peices). But for me it is the standard by which all of these types of films are measured.

When I saw “The Matrix” (over 10 years ago now) I was astounded like everyone else. But then you compare it to GITS are you start to see whole sequences where they just stole the concepts. It doesn’t detract from “The Matrix”, but shows just how strong GITS is.

Which is why I am so pleased they have gone back to the oringal 1995 film and “Renewed” it.

What do you mean.. Renewed?

I have been waiting for the UK release of “Ghost in the Shell” on Blu-Ray, but it seems we will not be getting the original version. Instead we are going to be getting the Renewed version. At first I was a little upset, I wanted (and still really do) the original version as it was when I first saw it at the cinema. You can of course get it on DVD, but it does not really do the film justice.

But now I am actually really looking forward to this new release of the original. Basically they have gone back to the original film and reworked a large number of the animations. Either compositing new 3D work, or re-colouring and cleaning the original frames. So what you are left with is the original film, but with a cleaner look.

But it seems not everything is as it was. Some scenes have been added and most notably the voice of the puppet master has been changed from male to female. This news is from the Japanese release so it is possible when it is re-dubbed into English they may keep it as it was, but until I can actually see it its hard to know. My biggest fear is they will changes the voices of the English version. I am very used to how they sound now, and if it suffered from the “Akira Effect”* I would not be able to enjoy the films.

*Akira Effect: I am used to the original release of this film in the UK. When the film was re-released with additional content on DVD, they took the liberty of re-voicing the entire film. This has lead to a version I just can’t watch anymore, the voices just don’t fit like they should and I am not able to watch it without screaming.

Most interestingly for the new release the sound has been remixed into 6.1 surround by Skywalker Sound. As well as some of the original music being replaced with entirly new work.

Conclusion

This is a great film, always has been, and always will be. I am so pleased they are finally releasing it in the UK, and to my surprise very happy they have gone back to it and done more than just transfer it and tidy it a little. This film deserves all the attention it gets, and if they can give it a little more love, and a better look then why not.

I have already ordered my copy on Blu-Ray which will be released on 26th October 2009. You can get it from Play. As ever it just not contain the extras I would like to see. Directors commentary, comparison of the original to the new release. It does it contains the “Original Movie”, but I get a feeling that is not right. Only time will tell, I will put up my thoughts on this new version when it comes out.

In the mean time, take a look at what is new in these comparision shots.