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Cyber City Oedo 808
DVD/APPROX. 135 MINS/1990/USA M
DVD/APPROX. 135 MINS/1990/USA M
9
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Execution is a fine thing, it can take many forms (of course I am referring to the execution of story lines here… not people .Although I guess you
could make that analogy if you prefer), and can make or break, or simply file things under the cloth of mediocrity depending on its direction.
‘Cyber City Oedo 808’ (Provided in the Region 4 format by Madman Entertainment) uses a bland, and tried story as the basis for it. Yet, it is all in
the presentation, or execution if you will. Three criminals, each with their own specific skills and abilities are given a chance, to help patrol the
streets and take down other criminals like themselves, with the promise of reduced sentences after each arrest.
Now of course we have seen similar themes throughout the entirety of pop culture, but here things are a little different. Instead of partnering all
three in one story line, then pertaining it to the cliché of buddy movie having all of them work uneasily together only to come together at the final
moments, Cyber City instead splits the ‘team’ into three separate stories, each one focusing on a different character, and whilst the other two may
pop in and out of the story, they don’t impose a great deal, and each character flourishes more for it.
Another difference is that the movie is not one whole story, but three smaller stories, and there is no over arching story line that connects the
three other than the initial introduction which tells of why they are in the situation. You could easily watch the third part before the second without
it affecting the experience at all. If it wasn’t for the introduction being lumbered with the first part you could also watch that part in any order also.
Also it’s not a ‘do a job for us and your sins are forgiven’ deal, they only get minimal reductions on their extensive sentences for each arrest or job,
and in one case, a character even gets his sentence extended because of his actions.
The three main characters are both typical and radical, IE it is very common for characters of their types to be thrust together, and in such, those
types are radically different, and in most films like this are used to create tension onscreen, here the tension is minamalised and replaced with a
higher focus on them using their specific skills to do their tasks, of course the tension is still used in certain circumstances, and can lead to some
very comical moments, especially between Sengoku and his droid companion Varsus.
Sengoku, well, he’s the bad mouthed member of the group, the gun toting foul mouth whose story has the best finishing monologue, delivered by
Sengoku himself, ever. And of the three has the longest sentence and the lowest chance of parole.
Gogl, the brute with brains, isn’t what one would expect of a high class computer hacker (especially if you have a thing for Radical Edward of
Cowboy BeBop fame). Benten, the elite Gymnast with the effeminate dress style, but the martial arts expertise to put any mockery of such to rest
quickly.
These are the three main characters, listed in the order that their stories are told, also each one is fitted with a deadlock collar which will explode
in cases of non compliance, and each handed a jutte like weapon (proof of their standing as members of the Cyber Police), each also possesses
personal choice weapons too.
Special features aren’t the most substantial but offer a bit more than most. Offering commentaries for two of the story lines “Time Bomb” Sengoku’
s story, and “The Decoy” Gogl’s story. Art and Sketch galleries, Cybercity Trailers, and Madman Trailers (which oddly isn’t labeled as Madman
Propaganda as is usual).
The visuals of this work must also be mentioned, the movie comes before a time when CGI was completely commonplace to be used for laser
effects and so on, and thus this movie features no CGI for such things (at least according to my research), and so what you are getting is a rather
natural piece of work, or rather traditionally made piece of work, that despite that handicap against modern anime still rings throughout time and
has a solid place in any DVD/Anime collection.
Sound effects and audio are of decent quality in this production, of course if you always prefer original Japanese dubs with or without subtitles,
then it’s best to go that way, if you don’t mind English dubs, then you’re not going to be too disappointed here.
All in all, the three episodes that comprise this movie provide an easy going experience, that can either be watched intently or simply as a movie to
pop on whilst having some drinks with some mates (or just hanging with mates in general). I must also point out, that if you are like myself, and
are one of the few anime fans who didn’t like Ninja Scroll (this movie shares the same director), try not to let it bother you, as this movie has
become one of my favourites amongst my collection and one I have recommended to many people so far, and has gained for itself a nine out of ten
rating in my book.
could make that analogy if you prefer), and can make or break, or simply file things under the cloth of mediocrity depending on its direction.
‘Cyber City Oedo 808’ (Provided in the Region 4 format by Madman Entertainment) uses a bland, and tried story as the basis for it. Yet, it is all in
the presentation, or execution if you will. Three criminals, each with their own specific skills and abilities are given a chance, to help patrol the
streets and take down other criminals like themselves, with the promise of reduced sentences after each arrest.
Now of course we have seen similar themes throughout the entirety of pop culture, but here things are a little different. Instead of partnering all
three in one story line, then pertaining it to the cliché of buddy movie having all of them work uneasily together only to come together at the final
moments, Cyber City instead splits the ‘team’ into three separate stories, each one focusing on a different character, and whilst the other two may
pop in and out of the story, they don’t impose a great deal, and each character flourishes more for it.
Another difference is that the movie is not one whole story, but three smaller stories, and there is no over arching story line that connects the
three other than the initial introduction which tells of why they are in the situation. You could easily watch the third part before the second without
it affecting the experience at all. If it wasn’t for the introduction being lumbered with the first part you could also watch that part in any order also.
Also it’s not a ‘do a job for us and your sins are forgiven’ deal, they only get minimal reductions on their extensive sentences for each arrest or job,
and in one case, a character even gets his sentence extended because of his actions.
The three main characters are both typical and radical, IE it is very common for characters of their types to be thrust together, and in such, those
types are radically different, and in most films like this are used to create tension onscreen, here the tension is minamalised and replaced with a
higher focus on them using their specific skills to do their tasks, of course the tension is still used in certain circumstances, and can lead to some
very comical moments, especially between Sengoku and his droid companion Varsus.
Sengoku, well, he’s the bad mouthed member of the group, the gun toting foul mouth whose story has the best finishing monologue, delivered by
Sengoku himself, ever. And of the three has the longest sentence and the lowest chance of parole.
Gogl, the brute with brains, isn’t what one would expect of a high class computer hacker (especially if you have a thing for Radical Edward of
Cowboy BeBop fame). Benten, the elite Gymnast with the effeminate dress style, but the martial arts expertise to put any mockery of such to rest
quickly.
These are the three main characters, listed in the order that their stories are told, also each one is fitted with a deadlock collar which will explode
in cases of non compliance, and each handed a jutte like weapon (proof of their standing as members of the Cyber Police), each also possesses
personal choice weapons too.
Special features aren’t the most substantial but offer a bit more than most. Offering commentaries for two of the story lines “Time Bomb” Sengoku’
s story, and “The Decoy” Gogl’s story. Art and Sketch galleries, Cybercity Trailers, and Madman Trailers (which oddly isn’t labeled as Madman
Propaganda as is usual).
The visuals of this work must also be mentioned, the movie comes before a time when CGI was completely commonplace to be used for laser
effects and so on, and thus this movie features no CGI for such things (at least according to my research), and so what you are getting is a rather
natural piece of work, or rather traditionally made piece of work, that despite that handicap against modern anime still rings throughout time and
has a solid place in any DVD/Anime collection.
Sound effects and audio are of decent quality in this production, of course if you always prefer original Japanese dubs with or without subtitles,
then it’s best to go that way, if you don’t mind English dubs, then you’re not going to be too disappointed here.
All in all, the three episodes that comprise this movie provide an easy going experience, that can either be watched intently or simply as a movie to
pop on whilst having some drinks with some mates (or just hanging with mates in general). I must also point out, that if you are like myself, and
are one of the few anime fans who didn’t like Ninja Scroll (this movie shares the same director), try not to let it bother you, as this movie has
become one of my favourites amongst my collection and one I have recommended to many people so far, and has gained for itself a nine out of ten
rating in my book.
| BUY DVD @ MADMAN.COM.AU |
|
| "A Hardcore Cyberpunk Classic" |
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