Tekkon Kinkreet

The movie starts off strong, with an interesting but not quite unique story of two street orphans, forced to protect the town that simultaneously sustains them, and abuses them. They are the protectors and protected by the system that has been created between the gangs, the police, and the Yakuza who roam Treasure town. And like their names designate, Black is harsher, rougher, more prone to violence, while White is up beat, cute, and creative. They complement each other and balance the others eccentricities. With fabulous animation, strong voice acting (at least in the Japanese), and a solid score, this movie ... ambles along enjoyably, until the more surreal aspects of the story kick in.

About halfway through, the movie shifts from two kids trying to protect their home turf from new developers/gangsters into a surreal melodrama about the spiritual separation of the two leads and the physical manifestations of the separation. From Kubrick-esque extra-dimensional visuals, to metaphorical, and not so metaphorical battles in the hyper-reality in to which they are dragged kicking and screaming. And to me that's when it loses steam. It changes from a well grounded story with characters we want to follow into meandering esoteric romp with little but very obvious conclusions that occur between the two leads, while killing off any loose ends and characters that seemed so promising in the start of the film.

Flights of fancy, and beautiful animation aside, the film doesn't quiet hold up towards the end.

The plot of this anime begins very solid. I was convinced it would quickly become a favourite, despite White getting on my nerves from time to time. Had I gotten to know the characters better, I probably could have continued to feel for them. However, the plot quickly goes from being clever and direct, to warped about an hour or so in. For those who enjoy violent anime, I'm sure there are better ones, but for me this was pretty high-strung. I will saw this for the characters though, but the second half you REALLY feel their anger (thus showing the strength ... of their voice actors as well as their animators).
Being a fairly sensitive person, that began to wear on me, but for many who are of a thicker skin, you will likely find the reasons behind the violence somewhat touching and/or heroic.

The second aspect to draw me in was the incredible art style of the anime. The creators made a really colourful, interesting world of Treasure Town (the clocktower in the most obvious that comes to mind), to the point that you begin to want to visit it. That kind of unique tangibility can really make an anime, and this one managed to do so exceedingly well.

The characters are strong, only in that they feed so well off one another. However, as I have said before, I didn't tend to feel much for the characters, which hindered my ability to worry much about them. The fundamentals are there, but it's a pretty noisy film, with a lot of drama to keep up with - even without the surrealistic aspects of the latter half - which takes away from my interest in the characters. I did find myself interested in the blind "seer" homeless man who has befriended Black & White, as well as the Inspector and Suzuki.

This music is what first drew me into the film (I was already a large fan of theirs), and it continued to be the guiding light for this feature. The voice acting is another prize. The only reason I think I feel anything for the characters was due to how they sound. Even the English cast wasn't bad - a rarity for most anime, except perhaps those of an early Viz Video fair. I'd say the sound and art is what truly made this film stand out from others, especially its peers.

While I enjoyed the film, I felt there wasn't enough of it explained, even by anime standards. However, the art is incredible, the story is good and you grow interested in the characters fairly quickly. This should definitely fall in the "Mind trip" category with films like Mind Walk, Paprika, Lain and the like. It is slightly disorienting at times, but the overall message manages to get through. Good re-watchability value, because I suspect more will become clearer that way. I recommend the original source be read beforehand in order to gain some insight into the storyline.

Rate of 6 (fair)
seen via English dubbed

Likes:
Plot- Very elaborate. The writer was honest. If words were mentioned they had reason and purpose. Some writers fill up time with words not this writer. You will not feel like you watched a mystery with your W questions. And since this was a kid p.o.v. the art had a certain flare that matched the plot.

sound- was on key and right actors and the right parts.

Dislikes:
art- Sadly, the are was not realistic. Had the art would have had more detail to make it look like an actual person and not just a drawing more things would have happened. More ... compassion could be drawn, more loss of imagination. A good way of putting it is like Pablo Picasso. A world famous artist. Whom made his work on abstract (different from the norms) thinking. It is unique because it is different. Although, faces do not go that way. At least those whom did not engage in a battle and won easily. This was animation the goal is to come close enough to reality to provide a connection with the viewer. I understand a possible reasoning such as plot but still.