Appleseed Ex Machina
Posted by Kushal | Filed under Uncategorized
Released in 2004 with soundtrack a featuring paul oakenfield and bassment jaxx, Appleseed was the epitome of modern CG anime. The story did not follow the original manga but stood as a loosely related movie interpretation. The brainchild of Masamune Shirow (pen name) of Ghost in the Shell fame, Appleseed was the story of Duenan Knute, a freedom fighter from outside the post war utopia of Olympus. She is taken into the city and embarks on an investigation involving mammoth destruction and action sequences. No story spoilers here. Anyway, the reason for the review is not Appleseed.
It’s Appleseed Ex Machina, released October 2007, again, masterminded by Masamune but produced and highly influenced, it seems, by John Woo. Yeah! The Woo! Woohoo! Complete with opening sequence doves and slo-mo scenes at every turn.
Masamune and Director Shinji Aramaki (love that name…) have created here what many people will conclude is an anime influenced by the Matrix, Deus Ex, a little of the Borg, Ghost In the Shell and more.
To give Masamune his dues, Ghost in the Shell was created long before and seems to me to have heavily influenced The Matrix (especially Kusanagi). To that end, the apparent influences showing up in Hollywood, rooting from anime are an endless list. Appleseed Ex Machina is thoroughly what is says on the tin. A well deserved sequel to Appleseed with updated CG and fantastic Direction and Production from all involved. 8/10.
P.S. Check out both the websites. They look gooooood. 8D
Tags: Anime Reviews
