This comes from the style. It’s animated in a 1980’s Star Wars comic-esque way with lots of bright colors contrasting with very dark shadows. It makes the anime look dated in still-shots, but during race scenes you can feel the breakneck speed of the vehicles and it’s very pretty in an acid-trip kind of way. The characters are all very interesting and different with strange fish creatures and giant robot-battery men and normal human beings with crazy hair. It’s all very retro while maintaining a modern style. The music adds to this especially making the whole package a refreshing visual and auditory experience.
That said, the plot is basic. It starts with an exciting race, then plods along for twenty or so minutes in a boring middle act. It’s attempting to build JP’s character as well as fellow racer Sonoshee but fails miserably as they’re both two-dimensional and uninteresting. There are a few funny moments dotted in there, but mostly nothing worth discussing. As Redline (a huge race in which the universe’s best racers compete) approaches, the film gains a lot more momentum and becomes much more crazy and exciting. That said, it’s still punctuated with moments of pointlessness as the planet hosting the race wants to kill the racers and we’re subjected to a group of leaders discussing how to do so every few minutes. It’s irritating because these characters don’t matter and add nothing. The planet could be fraught with danger without having this empirical ruling body who is just there. Nothing is resolved between them and the racers in the end so I feel they weren’t needed.
The ending is abrupt. We get our conclusion, but no epilogue. There are a few questions left to be answered but the film goes straight for the romantic resolution then cuts out. What about the Robot Empire? What about the gangsters? What happens to the two lovebirds after the race? What do the other racers think? The betters? I hate when films cut at the resolution to the main plot while leaving you in the dark about what that resolution meant. Our heroes are going to a goal for a reason and we know the goal, but we want to know that after that goal the heroes are still doing well and have been changed.
So I’m not a big fan of the plot, characters, or execution. But I can suggest this film just for the style. Even beyond the style, though, this is still a good, entertaining movie with something for everyone. I’d suggest Redline to fans of Gurren Lagann and Space Dandy. Good dumb epic fun.
