Plugging In: Appleseed: Ex Machina
Howdy!
Before we get started, seeing as I’m the new kid on the block around here, let me introduce myself real quick. I’ve been involved in the anime and video game industries and communities in some shape, form, or fashion for far longer than I’d like to admit. I make my living as a writer — technical writing by day, freelance writer by night. You can find my by-lines in Beckett Massive Online Gamer and in Anime Insider magazines, and yes, I’m the goofball responsible for the Lineage II cheesecake review.
I watch a lot of anime, much more than what should be considered healthy, and yet I still have four or five shelves of DVDs that I still haven’t gotten around to. I love the medium and I believe that as a devout fan, I should never have a reason to nit-pick and criticize shows for their flaws. That’s why you’ll probably never see a review from me; my articles are geared towards the promotion of anime, regardless of its genre, and that’s what the primary focus of this column will be about.
Plugging In will be highlighting new series that will be released, or in the process of being released, in North America, and explaining why you should watch the show. If all goes well, I may be able to get hold of some special and exclusive features as well! For the record, I’m not being paid or sponsored by any anime company; this is just my meager contribution towards the growth of the industry.
And now, on with the show!
—
Appleseed: Ex Machina is the action-packed collaboration between Hong Kong gun-fu cinematographer John Woo as producer and anime mecha-master Shinji Aramaki in the director’s chair. This sequel to the 2004 Appleseed movie takes CG action animation to a new level with explosive gun fights, furious kung-fu fighting action, and high-flying Matrix-inspired Guges Landmate dogfighting combat.
The world of Appleseed is a future post-apocalyptic earth devastated by an intense non-nuclear war that wiped out half of the world’s population. The lands were left barren by the massive amounts of ordinance used in the conflict and governments were left shattered and in disarray. As an experiment to prevent further disaster, a genetically engineered race of beings known as Bioroids were created — devoid of emotion, and with their lives strictly regulated and controlled, they were given responsibility for the governance and administration of a new city of hope, Olympus.
Deunan Knute is a strong-willed member of Olympus’ E.S.W.A.T. special forces peacekeeping team who stands out an exceptionally skilled human in a squad full of combat-enhanced cyborgs. Her partner, Briareos, is the only full-conversion cyborg in existence able to control the Hecatonchires cyborg frame. Toss a prototype combat Bioroid, Tereus, into the mix, and you get just over 100 minutes of intense, edge-of-your-seat action.
Those who enjoy action-oriented shows will have plenty to keep their adrenaline pumping. Fans of Shirow Masamune’s works won’t be disappointed with this animated adaptation of his manga either. Deunan serves up one piping-hot, strong female lead character, while Briareos’ gun-toting machismo would make Chow Yun Fat green with envy. The movie offers a plot, story, and some romance and drama as well, but they play second-fiddle to the main attraction of the film: stuff blowing up.
And yes, there are doves too.
Look for the DVD from Warner Bros.
Stumble it! Explore posts in the same categories: Joe Chan, anime