I was surprised by the amount of Akira-isms this film has, including a couple of scenes that are almost identical (Tetsuo and Joe learning that they have the ability to fly, for example). Despite the similarities, this movie is not nearly as well put together as Akira.
In fact, Harmagedon is pretty much a giant clusterf*ck. We swing from intergalactic warfare to teen melodrama to Dark City like psychic battles to awkward oedipal sibling relationships to hilarious racial stereotypes and back again, with very little regard for transition or explanation.
It’s…pretty stupid.
But it’s pretty damn entertaining too. I imagine some really talented people did some really good drugs while making this and it resulted in a whole lot of absurdity. Maybe not quality in the strictest sense, but absurdity that results in a certain type of quality.
It’s difficult to score Harmagedon on its art and sound and other specifics in that vein just because everything fluctuates so much. There will be a beautifully animated scene followed by a static background shot followed by recycled animation. How does someone rate that? It’s something you have to see for yourself I suppose. Also the dub is ridiculous and has one of the worst performances I’ve ever heard (Joe’s buddy Shiro). It borders on comedy in that respect.
That being said, I can confidently say I had a good time watching Harmagedon. I suggest watching it with a group and not taking it too seriously, and I bet you’ll have a good time too. I can't in good conscience give it more than a 6, but know that as far my enjoyment goes this rates much higher.
