Ranked #4647

Grey: Digital Target

Some movies are instantly recognizable by a single iconic image. For example, Silence of the Lambs has the moth, Fight Club has the bar of soap and Full Metal Jacket has the army helmet. In fact, it's hard to imagine Full Metal Jacket without the iconic camouflage helmet decorated with bullets, a peace sign and with “born to kill” written across its side.

Grey: Digital Target is another film that can be best summed up by a single iconic image, and like Full Metal Jacket it's the main character's helmet. Yet unlike the dark camouflage helmet of Full Metal Jacket, Grey's helmet serves as a bright red beacon. Just as his iconic helmet stands out from the bland landscapes it's cast against, Grey, the wandering killer, stands out from the other people of his post-apocalyptic world. His sheer number of kills, ability to survive and meteoric rise in the ranks have made him a legend, earning him the nickname "Death."

Yet the helmet is more important than a simple symbol, as it has a story of its own. The original owner of the helmet and Grey's lover, Lips, died in pursuit of her dream- to become a “citizen.” In Grey's world, poor lower-class “people” of “towns” yearn to join the privileged upper class “citizens” in “cities.” Luckily for the people, there is class mobility of sorts; by joining the army and raking up kills they can earn points. As one's points add up, his/her rank increases until he/she can finally become a citizen. Grey dons the helmet in Lip's place, continuing her quest for citizenship.

On the surface, Grey: Digital Target seems like a typical 80's sci-fi anime. It takes place in a post apocalyptic future, where life is a nightmarish struggle for survival and technology serves only to kill or repress. But while watching Grey, one can't help but see it's immense potential.

One of the coolest aspects of this movie is its jargon. Terms like town, citizen, bird, and mama that take on new meanings. But the words are applied in fitting ways, so they never become confusing and help to legitimatize and enrich the story's world and history.

Another great aspect of the series is that as Grey's the plot unfolds, it remains harsh and unapologetic. It's hard to find any positives in Grey's nightmarish world. Few series dare to be so bleak and even fewer see it through to the finish.

Yet all of Grey's good points are undercut by the movie's bland art and mundane animation. The drawings lack detail and the animation lacks flow. Although the robots, tanks and other warmachines have interesting designs, they aren't interesting to watch due to the rigid animation. This machinery begs to be brought to life with movements and vibrations, but remians stangent and dull. Even the battles and explosions fail to make an impression. Though Grey has many opporunities to offer viewers memorable visuals, it fails to do so.

Moreover, Grey's bgm doesn't do the movie any favors as the simple midi is unengaged and uninspired. Grey's world deserves a soundtrack that would allow viewers to feel the atmosphere, making for a deeper experience. But just as with the animation, the movie fails to deliver another crutial element.

It's unfortunate that Grey: Digital Target's good points, including it's dark plot, are undermined by it's poor presentation. Overall, the production values are more typical of a TV series than a theatrical feature.

That isn't to say Grey isn't worth checking out. It is a good watch; perfect for a dull weekend. Yet it's hard not to think of what might have been. Unlike Lip's charismatic helmet, Grey: Digital Target does nothing to stand out from the vast landscape of anime it is cast against and has deservedly fallen into obscurity as a result. read more