Starting from the positive aspects of the movie, one of them is definitely animation. You can feel high quality in pretty much every scene, but what truly makes Redline shine bright as star are beautifully animated racing sequences. Very smooth and fluid animation, different angles, unique shots not looking like any other shots used in previous scene - you could feel that it was understandable to create this anime for seven years. It was necessary to have enough time to create such visual masterpiece. Madhouse has crafted something truly special.
What more do we have, aside from brilliant animation? Detailed character models. What is completely mindb lowing about this aspect of Redline's visuals is that it doesn't matter if we are talking about main cast or side-characters or even background characters, such as audience during races. Every single character side-character has enough care put into their designs, whether we are talking about humans or alien species. Next thing are, of course, vehicles. You can easily notice variety among Redline race competitors' vehicles, as well as creativity put by the studio to deliver different looking, but thoughtful models that could as well exist in the real world in the future. What more? Breathtaking backgrounds in various environments, stunning interiors and exteriors... Everything coated with original, realistic looking art style.
About music, it is alright. Its tracks fit most of the scenes, if not all of them; they also support intense action with vibrant beats playing in the background. I like how immersive it is to listen to such tracks reminding you of good racing video games while watching such show as Redline.
Unfortunately, the rest of the movie is not as great as its visual side. The plot is rather simple and I wouldn't consider it as a con, especially given how this movie is mostly action-centered, if it wasn't quite chaotic. We have three completely different plot points intertwining with each other in quite underwhelming manner, since I had an impression that they rather collided with each other instead of harmonizing the general plot. It made slower scenes interrupted by fast-paced action sequence appearing out of nowhere, or extremely dynamic racing scenes with smooth animation getting suddenly stopped for a few seconds to show rather static dialogue scenes. I think that kind of elements ruin immersion built up by realistic and truly polished visuals.
I mentioned earlier that this movie is action-centered, so one shouldn't expect a lot of depth given to characters. That's true, however... I think the characters in Redline, especially the main ones (protagonist included), are not fleshed out enough to allow viewers to somehow see them as something more than just figures surrounded by insane sakuga animation. Sure, JP's simple and straightforward goal is clear and relatable, but I feel it'd be great to see his story a little bit more extended. Same with Sonoshee's. Same with a few other elements relevant to the plot, like very oversimplified theme of shady personas rigging races, or the whole worldbuilding related to the planet whose government was hostile towards Redline taking place on their land. I wanted to know more about these elements while watching the movie, but sadly they weren't much expanded upon. I can understand it, since the movie is not about these two elements in particular, but they appear in it after all and are given significant roles. It's a shame they were left as just mere plot devices.
Overall, I recommend checking out Redline. It's a solid show and visual feast. If you expect something more complex than an action movie with futuristic racing competitions and stunning visuals, then I'd recommend it as well. Despite its cons, Redline is a solid movie that will surely entertain many types of viewers.
