Almost everyone I know seems to think that animation and comic books are for only little kids and that no self-respecting adult should ever be watching/reading them. This has been bothering me for quite some time now.
Since I just started a blog, I thought of posting a top 10 list of animated films and comic books that are for adults or are at least more suitable for adults than children, to prove that they are, like any other, just mediums to tell a story and those stories can be sophisticated and intelligent.
Instead of restricting it to just 10 animated films/comic books, I will be starting a column here, in which I will attempt to review one animated film/tv show/OAV or comic book each time.
Now, I initially thought of beginning this section with a review of 'Grave of the Fireflies', which would be a little too obvious of a choice. Instead I will be reviewing a more obscure and shocking film, a movie that is ABSOLUTELY NOT SUITABLE FOR CHILDREN -
PRINCESS
This 2006 Danish animated film, directed by Anders Morgenthaler, is actually 20% live-action, the other reason I chose this movie for the first review.
From the very first scene of the film, it becomes clear that this is not going to be a pleasant viewing experience, but it always remains a fascinating film to watch.
The plot follows a 32 year old priest, August, who has returned to his hometown after his sister, Christina, a once-famous porn star nicknamed "The Princess" dies of a drug overdose and has left behind her 5 year old daughter Mia. Disgusted at the fact that his niece was left under the care of a brothel owner, August takes her out of there and adopts her. He becomes increasingly disturbed to see how her upbringing has corrupted the little Mia and by the decay and hypocrisy of the modern society. Combined with his guilt for having abandoned his sister a long time go, August goes on a violent journey to destroy every piece of pornographic material featuring his sister and take revenge on the man he feels is responsible for his sister's death.
You can already see the influences of Martin Scorsese's 'Taxi Driver' and like Travis Bickle, August is never the hero of the film, he is never the good guy, wherein lies the film's biggest strength, the morally ambiguous nature of the film (until the very end, which I will get to at a later stage in the review). Every character is flawed in one way or an other, although a case can be made that, not having a single character to identify with, makes it difficult for the audience to establish any sort of emotional connection with any of the characters.
Visually, the film is strong. Although it may not reach the standards set by Disney and Studio Ghibli, the crude style (which I've read, was due budget restrictions) suits the plot well. The live-action parts of the film are also competently directed and acted.
But where the film fails is it's ending, specifically, the final shot which contradicts every point the film makes until that moment. The moral ambiguity is thrown out of the window for an ending that feels like was put in there by Spielberg.
It is an ambitious film that doesn't quite achieve what it sets out to do. It succeeds in several ways and fails in a few others, but, it succeeds more than it fails.
Since I just started a blog, I thought of posting a top 10 list of animated films and comic books that are for adults or are at least more suitable for adults than children, to prove that they are, like any other, just mediums to tell a story and those stories can be sophisticated and intelligent.
Instead of restricting it to just 10 animated films/comic books, I will be starting a column here, in which I will attempt to review one animated film/tv show/OAV or comic book each time.
Now, I initially thought of beginning this section with a review of 'Grave of the Fireflies', which would be a little too obvious of a choice. Instead I will be reviewing a more obscure and shocking film, a movie that is ABSOLUTELY NOT SUITABLE FOR CHILDREN -
PRINCESS
From the very first scene of the film, it becomes clear that this is not going to be a pleasant viewing experience, but it always remains a fascinating film to watch.
The plot follows a 32 year old priest, August, who has returned to his hometown after his sister, Christina, a once-famous porn star nicknamed "The Princess" dies of a drug overdose and has left behind her 5 year old daughter Mia. Disgusted at the fact that his niece was left under the care of a brothel owner, August takes her out of there and adopts her. He becomes increasingly disturbed to see how her upbringing has corrupted the little Mia and by the decay and hypocrisy of the modern society. Combined with his guilt for having abandoned his sister a long time go, August goes on a violent journey to destroy every piece of pornographic material featuring his sister and take revenge on the man he feels is responsible for his sister's death.
You can already see the influences of Martin Scorsese's 'Taxi Driver' and like Travis Bickle, August is never the hero of the film, he is never the good guy, wherein lies the film's biggest strength, the morally ambiguous nature of the film (until the very end, which I will get to at a later stage in the review). Every character is flawed in one way or an other, although a case can be made that, not having a single character to identify with, makes it difficult for the audience to establish any sort of emotional connection with any of the characters.
But where the film fails is it's ending, specifically, the final shot which contradicts every point the film makes until that moment. The moral ambiguity is thrown out of the window for an ending that feels like was put in there by Spielberg.
It is an ambitious film that doesn't quite achieve what it sets out to do. It succeeds in several ways and fails in a few others, but, it succeeds more than it fails.
RATING :
★★★★★★★☆☆☆
good one. will have to watch them
ReplyDelete