Review Of Origin:Spirits Of The Past By FUNIMATION
-== What is it? ==-
Origin:Spirits Of The Past is an anime movie from FUNIMATION that tells the story of two teens from different times who become caught between a deadly forest and a man trying to destroy it.
I purchased the standard edition version of the DVD. There is a “Special Edition” available with additional features that I have not seen. The version I have does not have any extras. The movie is 90 minutes long.
-== What I Like ==-
The story in Origin is not too revolutionary but it is VERY nicely conveyed. The story has a strong environmental message but I did not find it “preachy”. The basic story is simple…man plays with nature, nature slaps man in face, man tries again but this time stops himself. Then ending is full of true love and hope. Who does not like a movie with a happy ending!?! 🙂
The environmental, background, and setting design in this movie is outstanding. The settings change from a buried high tech underground city, to a ragamuffin cliff village, to an industrial monster city, to a fantastic multi-railed train. I was literally on the edge of my seat waiting to see the next place they were going to visit. Beautiful stuff.
I liked the fact that the bloodshed and nudity was essentially non-existent as it is not needed in a movie with a story like this to tell. RightStuf has it rated at 13+ which is probably right on the money.
-== What I Don’t Like ==-
The pacing of the movie is slow at times especially during the middle of the movie. For the younger crowd it might be tough for them to maintain interest at this stage.
The main bad guy in the movie is really weak. His motivations are terrible and there are really not enough reasons given to hate him. In general his was a one of the biggest let downs of the movie.
The animators used CG for the forest effects and I actually thought it came across badly. I SO wanted to like watching the raging forest going off on the puny humans but the CG effects left me cold. I think if they did the entire thing in regular animation the effect would have been stronger.
-== Summary ==-
Origin: Spirits Of The Past is an enjoyable movie with a feel good ending that you can watch with your family or with people who may not be anime buffs. You can purchase the standard edition version of the movie from RightStuf at this URL for $11.24. You can get it at Amazon.com at this
I give it 7 out of 10 paws.
