Paprika

Full Length Feature Film

So here in Dallas at the moment is something called AFI Dallas International Film Festival. Basically it's a Hollywood style film festival with hundreds of movies over the course of almost two whole weeks. It's full of celebrities, food, friends, and most importantly: movies that aren't even close to being released in America. Namely, Satoshi Kon's newest film, Paprika.

Paprika basically starts off with a real bang and only slows down a couple times to catch its breath until the very beginning of the credits. Its full of smart laughs, not-so-smart laughs breathtaking action and a whole bunch of head scratching. That's not to mention, of course, the beautiful visuals that Studio Madhouse has graced us with.

Typically Satoshi Kon's stuff really does make you scratch your head. I wasn't just trying to give you an image in that last paragraph, it really does happen. Some of his earlier works are very prevalent in this film, most notably in my opinion, Perfect Blue and Paranoia Agent. Elements from both of these films stand out as you're watching. The concept of the intangible becoming tangible, as in Paranoia Agent, and the elements of misconstrued perceptions clouding the viewers visuals like in Perfect Blue. The soundtrack really gets your toes tappin' too. It's rather dreamlike but still somehow driving and really keeps the movie going in the right direction. It really expresses to the viewer that "this is just something to sit-back and enjoy. Don't worry about if you don't understand what' s going on, just sit back and enjoy the ride."

Oh...plot...right. Well...I'll give you the very loose version. You are following a scientist, gorgeous of course, who is on a team that's on the bleeding edge of psychological technology. They have almost perfected a way to interact with the dreams of other human beings. Its original intention is simply as a therapy tool but things quickly get out of hand as several of the dream diving units are stolen. Shortly after this revelation the thief makes himself knows to the protagonist, our good doctor, by flooding the mind of her boss and friend with the raving and never ending dreams of a madman. Needless to say: This is not a good thing. The visuals are complex and interesting. During the dream sequences their complexity goes even beyond the visuals of Akira's final sequences but they do get a little old after a bit. I could go my whole life without seeing another china doll if you know what I mean. So anyway, people start dreaming this single madman's dream all over town with only one person to stop them. Paprika, our good doctor's alter ego. For you see, she's not just attractive and intelligent she's also a secret expert dream diver who knows no boundaries when she's in the world of dreams. Fun huh?

My recommendations for this one is simple. If you've liked Satoshi Kon's stuff before, don't hesitate. Seriously. If you didn't like his stuff or haven't ever seen one, now's really not the time as you'll walk away from this one confused and disappointed. If you're going to start with Satoshi's Kon's stuff go ahead and work through his work in this order: Tokyo Godfathers, Millennium Actress, Perfect Blue and THEN this one. And only work your way through Paranoia Agent if AFTER watching all those movies you still like his stuff. Enjoy!

I'm out!

Tommy

Karin

24 Episodes
TV Series
Comedy/Romance/School/Vampires


So I finally finished the anime that bears my venerable colleague's name. Finally.

This series starts out rather simply, not really taking itself too seriously at first. It follows a high school girl, who happens to be a vampire, through a difficult period of adjustment to her status as a non-human. Karin isn't your ordinary vampire though. Her powers simply don't mesh with those of the rest of her family. Yes, family...don't think too much about this. If you end up thinking too much about the vampire lore you're familiar with you just aren't going to be happy with this series. Anyway...so instead of sucking blood or, more importantly, emotions out of her victims, like the rest of her family, Karin deposits blood/emotions into her victims. Keep in mind unlike tradition the victims of the family don't die...they simply wake with an absence of specific negative emotions depending on the taste of the vampire that bit them. Whew...I hope all that makes sense...I just saved you a lot of time and confusion if it does by the way as most of this is unclear during first several episodes of the series.

So Karin does her thing in high school and as many many an anime before it: she has a crush on one of the boys at school. He's a little weird. They do this whole running gag about him and his eyes that I really don't get but that's beside the point. So she being in love with him and him being depressed about his mom not having a job is the main plot arch. There's a GILF thrown into the mix for a little seriousness and suspense/action, an idiot vampire hunter that falls in love with Karin and the rest of the family all add their own quirkiness to the mix.

All said, I thought this was an enjoyable and fun anime. The intro makes you think there's a LOT more fan service than there actually, which is either a plus or a minus depending on who you are. The vampire plot remains interesting but it kinda leaves you wanting more darkness and danger. Since Karin can come out during the day (didn't I mention that?) it really just ends up making this series a standard school anime with a pinch of vampire intrigue thrown in. But the whole time you seriously just want her to bite that man of hers...if only so she'll shut up about NOT biting him. I'd recommend this for people who like romance or school anime and I would remind those looking for something darker to just stay away...for your own protection!

Tommy