Yang_Neumann Posted September 10, 2003 Posted September 10, 2003 So I'm skimming through the features on my copy of "The Eye" and I come across a trailer for this movie that just happens to be a live-action effort by the one and only Mamoru Oshii called "Avalon". From what I gathered it's about this virtual reality game and the main character in the movie is trying to reach the ultimate level in the game and must reluctantly form an oft-times uneasy alliance with other players to achieve this goal. From the trailer it seems as if this movie is a .hack meets The Matrix meets Existenz. What reviews I could find are sketchy. Have any of you seen it and if so, is it worth shelling out the money for it? Quote
Mislovrit Posted September 10, 2003 Posted September 10, 2003 Imho I would suggest you screen it before buying a copy. Quote
Yang_Neumann Posted September 10, 2003 Author Posted September 10, 2003 Imho I would suggest you screen it before buying a copy. Normally I'd buy it just for the simple fact that it was directed by him. Since this is the only live action film of his that I'm aware of I'm a little wary. Knowing that Neil Gaiman contributed to the screenplay (Penned? Translated?) tempts me a little. Quote
drifand Posted September 10, 2003 Posted September 10, 2003 It was beautifully boring. A-1 for visuals. F-9 for pacing. Think of it as an art film with some action thrown in. Quote
eriku Posted September 10, 2003 Posted September 10, 2003 I thought it was a great little "art film". I watched an un-subbed version though, so I could only take it in on a visual level. Animeniacs has the HK DVD for sale, with subs and extras, for $21. Quote
JELEINEN Posted September 10, 2003 Posted September 10, 2003 Most Oshii films have the same pacing (a bit of action at the beginning, a long drawn out middle, and action at the end), and Avalon is no exception. The problem with Avalon is that the middle part is a bit too long. It's a movie that definitely needs an intermission. Quote
JELEINEN Posted September 10, 2003 Posted September 10, 2003 I thought it was a great little "art film". I watched an un-subbed version though, so I could only take it in on a visual level. Animeniacs has the HK DVD for sale, with subs and extras, for $21. Of for those who don't want to support organized crime in Asia, you can buy the Japanese release which also has English subtitles. The Korean release (which is legit) has them as well. Quote
Yohsho Posted September 10, 2003 Posted September 10, 2003 The whole movie is alot of brown/grey/black until the very end. A whole lotta art film with action, but its very well done action. Quote
Pat Payne Posted September 10, 2003 Posted September 10, 2003 For my own two cents on the film: I like Mamoru Oshii's work, but I really didn't like this one. I saw it about six months ago in a class at the University of Oregon (actually, one on Oshii's films), and this one struck me as slow, boring and way too complex. The special effects were good, and the acting I guess was good (It was in Polish so I can't say for sure) but the script and plotting were way off. There was five minutes of the main character, Ash, riding the subways and entering her house over and over again. We coudl have done with much less to grasp the concept that she leads a repetitive, alienated life. Quote
uminoken Posted September 10, 2003 Posted September 10, 2003 Yeah I got the not quite official version *cough cough* at a semi-local dvd store only knowing Mamoru Oshii was involoved. I don't know anything about Neil Gaiman's involvement, no listing on the credits anyways. The movie has some great visuals (the opening, navigating the game, the Juggernaut fight), but yeah the script does suffer a bit. I guess you could argue all those "atmosphere" shots were trying to emphasize basic apsects of life (like guys gobbling noodles and dogs getting 4-course meals) but when you see the ending, it really doesn't make all that much sense. So I'd give it a rental before you plunk down cash Quote
JELEINEN Posted September 10, 2003 Posted September 10, 2003 Gaiman is supposed to be working on the English language script, so he won't be in the original credits. Quote
Yang_Neumann Posted September 14, 2003 Author Posted September 14, 2003 Found it! Turns out one of my fave CD/DVD stores has a distributor that deals in recently released HK blockbusters. Will pass verdict after watching it. THNX Quote
joseph Posted September 14, 2003 Posted September 14, 2003 Avalon is good pelicula, like ghost in the shell but with real actors. It has an air to LAIN. Virtual fights, future retro are some of their greater characteristics. I want ASH SO for my PC. Quote
gerwalk25 Posted September 15, 2003 Posted September 15, 2003 (edited) Knowing that Neil Gaiman contributed to the screenplay (Penned? Translated?) tempts me a little. Are you sure your not talking about Mirrormask (Coming out next year BTW)? He, Dave McKean and Henson's Workshop are currently in post production. Huh? I knew Neil worked on the english translation on Mononoke Hime. It does intrigue me as well bout' Avalon. ~G25 Edited September 15, 2003 by gerwalk25 Quote
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