Akira (1988)

The 1988 cyberpunk animation re-emerges as a deeply strange nightmare about destruction and rebirth. It delivers a startling post- and pre-apocalyptic nuclear-age parable of anxiety, with a thanatonic rapture in its vision of a world ending and being reborn.

The review praises the film's towering achievement of imagination and the miraculous detail in each frame as a miracle of film artistry. It notes that Otomo favours spectacle above all else, so supporting players feel less integral to the story.

The critic describes Otomo's film as an ingenious cyber-punk epic beginning and ending with devastation, obsessed with power, rebellion and a changing friendship. It singles out the scintillating hand-drawn animated visuals as unmatched, declaring the film vitally important to cinema.

The critic hails Katsuhiro Otomo's 1988 anime as his finest achievement, a brilliantly drawn extravaganza now restored in high definition. It singles out the film's aesthetic passion, visual flair and underlying philosophy amid its anarchic violence as what elevates it among the greatest animated features.

The critic dismisses 'Akira' as a compendium of the worst clichés of Japanese animation and a jumble of high-tech visuals. He complains that the convoluted story will leave most viewers lost without prior knowledge of the source comics.

The critic finds the 1988 film a landmark animated production whose script is crowded and rushed but whose imagery is incomparable, with post-apocalyptic Tokyo vividly realized in both intimate action scenes and large-scale destruction. Otomo's use of sound and a restored version's visuals are singled out for praise.

The critic calls 'Akira' a phenomenal work of animation with the hallmarks of an instant cult classic. She singles out the intricate, detailed artwork and vibrant color palette for praise.

The astonishing 1988 animation is essential viewing that you cannot write the story of popular culture without. Its hand-drawn artistry is impeccable and the visuals, cityscapes and action have endured as ideologically bleak, incessantly violent and astonishing.

The review describes the film as a lavish animation extravaganza and a remarkable technical achievement in design and sound. It notes a minor drawback in the slight stiffness of human movement animation.

The critic finds the 1988 film still a quintessential cyberpunk experience that effectively discusses the dangers of scientific knowledge without moral guidance. The hand-drawn animation remains eye-popping and technically groundbreaking more than three decades later.

The critic praises Akira as one of the most important and influential animated features, highlighting its technical brilliance, kinetic animation, and human story beneath the violence and intrigue. They single out the exhilarating motorcycle scene and the film's distinctive design and score for praise.

The review lauds Akira as a visually stunning and kinetically energetic anime classic that remains relevant, praising its detailed animation and dark parable on societal breakdown. It singles out the stunning design and prescient themes for praise while noting the violence may not suit everyone.

The critic calls Akira a classic and a step change in animation, praising its stunning visuals, attention to detail, and bold imagery as a spectacular watch. Minor complaints include an overcomplicated plot, too many characters, and a clumsy English dub.