Spriggan |
 | Summary:Testosterone-bursting, effects-engorged apocalyptic anime centers around an elite super-soldier's attempt in halting a power hungry, clairvoyant madman. Despite the substandard linear set-up, it's heart pounding action sequences, spectacular effects & groundbreaking animation dazzles action anime fans. Hard-core animation viewers alike seeking a full-blown, epic ride. |
| Title Aka: | Spriggan: The Movie |
| Company/Distributors: | Shogakukan;Bandai Visual;TBS;TOHO International;A.D.V. Films |
| Year: | 1998 |
| Length: | 90 Minutes |
| Rating: | N/A |
| Genres: | Action, Science Fiction |
| Format: | Feature Film |
| MPAA Rating: | R |
| Comments: |
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"Spriggan" (1998): 
As we continually approach the end of the 20th century of animation, as well as the perpetuation of the cinematic breakthroughs of the 21st, it seems often that it jarringly becomes more and more difficult to pull off your occasional fervent action romp. Few steps have been avoided, and little leaps have been taken. From the adept Hollywood that is "The Matrix" to some inane snippets of "Crouching Tiger", it seems that even the slightest hints of the anime realm of differentia seep their way into the terrain of Hollywood. Making their cinematic impact of course progressively nothing more than a tickle. This slight problem however proves even greater in the anime realm, judging from the commercial standpoint of such breakthroughs as Otomo's "Akira" back in 1987, and 1995's technological brain trip "Ghost in the Shell", such titles only seem to arouse those required nerves of action fancy this side of the universe of film making. Striving as a kind of sci-fi action/extravaganza revival, "Spriggan", a comic-manga derived sci-fi action picture (like that's anything new) is based upon the popular manga of the not surprisingly different name "Striker". This seeped in guy-coolness "Shonen" manga had slowly but surely worked it's way into the feature film anime circuit around the early 90s; finally discovering a home in the hands of one of the anime realm's big pair of honchos: animation director "Hirotsugu Kawasaki" and legendary director "Katsuhiro Otomo" (made immortal for his groundbreaking work in "Akira"). Together, the two create a stunning romp of visual delight swept into a 90-minute run-time if nothing else. Spriggan attempts to revive several of the anime anecdotes and storyline platitudes (which are now clichés) into a decent array of action frenzy. Fast paced and entertaining in almost every sense, animation director for Akira, Kawasaki now the director of this film summons a renowned talent of artistry in order to bring "Hiroshi Takashige" and "Ryoji Minagawa's" fast paced manga to life. Unfortunately for some people who are inevitably going to see Spriggan, the plot itself, though all well and good in the anime sense of things lives almost entirely at the expense of the action-scenes; which are in fact, without question a technical marvel. The foundations of the world of Spriggan are discovered lurking within the depths of the elusive organization "ARCAM". The word itself quasi-derived from a verbal anecdote of Judeo/Christian mythology; which account heavily for much of the actual narrative of Spriggan; as do many a great deal anime movies and series (shows such as "Evangelion" come to mind). While seeped in Western religious mythology, which Otomo expressed to some extent in 1987's Akira, Spriggan remains more clear-cut than most titles, placing most of it's emphasis on space opera and pyrotechnics glory than it does hope to revive the spirit of religious mythological poitical satire. The story's hero is perhaps what has evolved into the definitive ideal anime figure, "Ominae Yu" is a 17-year old physical prodigy (no surprise there); who's often unbelievable fighting style resembles everything one's come to realize as physics' defying law of nature. Packing an enormous arsenal of pyrotechniques and artillery, Yu's job as "ARCAM's number one Spriggan" is to protect ancient knowledge from seeping out into the common public. A basis which perhaps inspires more political rambling that it ensues. Some of ARCAM's research team has uncovered what's supposedly "Noah's Ark" (known heavily in Judeo/Christian mythology). However, this is not the Noah's Ark we've come to know in the plethora of stories and religous-laced anecdotes; a towering almost frightening monolith which seemingly cannot be entered. Trouble arouses for young Yu, as he horribly witnesses the death of one of his classmates at the hands of a mad bomber; the frightening words engraved on his chest: "Noah will be your grave." This occuring before Yu learns of the Ark's whereabouts. Angered and frustrated by ARCAM protocol, Yu heads for Turkey where the elusive disappearance of the ARCAM research team houses the key to uncovering the mysteries of Noah; and the inevitable evils involved. Yu's welcome is seemingly not well deserved, as he is soon forcefully escorted to an attempt on his demise by fraud ARCAM officials. This section of the film erupts into a heart-stopping chase sequence through the streets of Turkey, which almost makes the motorcycle chase scene in Akira look like a ride on park swings. The many quick cuts and prolate zooms of Yu's point-of-view, guides us through the contents of the battle, which is overflowing with tension and energy. Yu's problems however don't end there. The manic exploits of another organization of the "U.S. Machine Corp" have somehow worked their way into "the Noah Project's" dark shadow. Taking hold of ARCAM's situation at the base of the great mountain, which houses the humongous Noah is the scheming and utterly haunting "Colonel McDougal". The central villain of the story standing a mere 3 feet, six inches (give or take) who echos scary remnants of Otomo's "Tetsuo Hoshino". Yu's forces are joined by the likes of the ecentric and comic "Dr. Mazel" and the stalwart "Margaret", lights of being in a rather dark narrative provide most of the comic relief next to Yu himself. The two provide Yu with some technical glory which screams "Agent 007", wielded to a power-inflicting relentless combat machine. The foreign spriggan aid of France's "Jean Jaques Mondo", Yu's longtime comrad (who's relationship doesn't enter a whole lot of detail outside the obviously more extensive manga) provides the cutting edge of the film's rough spots. In his quest to rid Noah of the infamous Colonel McDougal's grasp, Yu challenges the likes of the U.S. Machine Corps' "Fat Man" & "Little Boy" (who's names are seemingly tired lexeme references to pieces of old war-time hell). The two emit an array of menacing and deadly gadgets at Yu and Jean, including an enourmous gattling gun attached at arms' length on Fat Man, and Little Boy's ever-bloodletting ready sprawing metal-wire gun. The action scenes in Spirggan closely recall more grand if not less controlled sequences from Akira. Otomo the director of that film back then now serves as the supervising story-editor on Spriggan; who's outlook on the project keep the endless pyrotechniques and grand climaxes under steady control. In one show-stopping action sequence occuring in the middle of the film (Which is a frenzy melle of gun-shells and speedy martial arts which make some scenes in Dragonball Z look like some slow moments in "Night on the Galactic Railroad"), Yu single-handedly leaves the bloodly entrails of his much larger opponent's arm affray; just before he mauls him with an anti-tank gun riding on wheels at a high 360-degree revolution of fire (and it doesn't end there). The art and animation in Spriggan almost carries a dirty and menacing cold feel, as much of the film is engorged in snow storms and bullet-fire among many other effects; however, this is not at the expense of quality. Animation director "Hisashi Eguchi" and art director "Mutsuo Koseki" turn out a stellar, lightning fast job. Much of the extensive background artwork in Spriggan is absolutely jaw-dropping in detail, which often required the animators to house on-location detail shoots; where they would conceptualize after the given country's terrain detail for detail. Every single inch of brick building, rusting metal and the enormous terrain of rock mountains is entirely visible. But above most things, the sound design in Spriggan is really the icing on the cake. Music composer "Kuniaki Haishima" creates a towering musical score for Spriggan, which amazingly hovers above and beyond the action scenes like accompaniment and BGM on steroids. He creates a variety of different variations which successfully create a haunting feel, perfect for the look of the film, which is seeped in cold color uncustomary to most animated works outside Otomo's or "Mamoru Oshii's" terrain. Spriggan however doesn't entirely merit it's credit to it's pounding style or action, it's characters, while inane and dense are in every sense true to the core and provide a sense of realism. Yu is not your average hero, in the sense that he's thrown into the mix of things without necessarily knowing how to dig his way out. McDougal is a villian figure foreseen with a sense of supremacy and control, but instead is presented with a range of flaws customary to someone seemingly his young age. But in the end, Yu is the heart of Spriggan's short comings. As a fervent action romp of all kinds, it's perhaps difficult to imagine this sort of material ever meriting status outside the good hands of it's creators. At nearly 90-minutes length, the movie is sheer professionalism without a hint of turning back. And while the film may not be a cataclysm of shattering verbal breakthroughs or even shards of action taboo film making, the movie delivers on all fronts of it's intended spirit, and nobody could've asked for more than that. Spriggan isn't even a glossy looking film by any means, nor a redundant exercise in simple anime heroics. It's a straight narrative told with speed, style and even a sense of inherant charm; which could only be brought forth from years and years of animation experience from a series of breakthrough geniuses. Who of course don't shatter the earth with their destruction wielding bounds that is Spriggan's story, but more importantly show us they still have what it takes. If that's not genuine anime entertainment, I don't know what is. Click Here To See Overview! |
