Akira [DTS] DVD

Akira
One of the most influential examples of anime, Akira is based on the manga (comic book) by Katsuhiro Otomo. The story is set in the post-apocalyptic community of Neo-Tokyo. Tetsuo is a fiercely individualistic member of a scroungy motorcycle gang. The despotic authorities, the robot-like police, and even the cycle gang pursue Tetsuo when he's bombarded with a new, insidious energy source that has rendered him telekinetic. Budgeted at eight million dollars, Akira has become a cult favorite in the States thanks to generous midnight-movie exposure and its availibilty on video and cable TV. ~ Hal Erickson, All Movie Guide

Cast Cameron Clarke as Kaneda (Streamline English version) Mitsuo Iwara as Kaneda (Japanese Version) Jan Rabson as Tetsuo (Streamline English Version) Nozomu Sasaki as Tetsuo (Japanese Version) Lara Cody as Kei (Streamline English version) Mami Koyama as Kei (Japanese Version) Taro Ishida as Watanabe (Japanese Version) Masaaki Ohkura as Yamagata (Japanese Version) Tony Pope as Yamagata (Streamline English Version) Barbara Goodson as Kaori (Streamline English Version) Yuriko Fuchizaki as Kaori (Japanese Version) Yosuke Akimoto as Store Owner (Japanese Version) Yasuko Ohno as Girl C (Japanese Version) Takeshi Kusao as Kai (Japanese Version) Taro Ishida as The Colonel (Japanese verion) Bob Bergen as Masaru (Streamline English Version) Drew Thomas as Ryu (Streamline English Version) Tony Pope as Colonel (Streamline English Version) Tony Pope as Nezu (Streamline English Version) Sandra Fox as Kiyoko (Streamline English Version)

Crew Toshiharu Mizutani - Art Director Yoshio Takeuchi - Animation Director Hiroaki Sato - Animation Director Yoshimasa Mizuo - Associate Producer Katsuhiro Otomo - Director Takeshi Seyama - Editor Sawako Noma - Executive Producer Shoji Yamashiro - Composer (Music Score) Shoji Yamashiro - Musical Direction/Supervision Katsuji Misawa - Cinematographer Ken-Ichiro Tsunoda - Production Manager Yoichi Ikeda - Production Manager Takahisa Yokomizo - Production Manager Ryohei Susuki - Producer Ryohei Suzuki - Producer Shunzo Kato - Producer Sawako Noma - Producer Katsuhiro Kato - Producer Tetsuo Segawa - Sound Recordist Katsuhiro Otomo - Screenwriter Izo Hashimoto - Screenwriter Shizuo Kurahashi - Supervising Editor Takashi Nakamura - Chief Animator Ken-Ichiro Tsunoda - Production Coordinator Susumu Aketagawa - Sound Director

Akira
Anime has had a devoted following since its beginnings, but it didn't have much crossover appeal in the U.S. until Akira came along. The drawing style was always respected for its distinctive characteristics -- the large soulful eyes, the expressive color, the jagged representation of fantasy worlds. But it fell short of true sophistication, since many of the drawings had the herky-jerky quality that comes from animating fewer backgrounds or character movements than necessary for a seamless flow, usually for reasons of speed or poverty. Akira represented a fully realized anime film, both smooth in its appearance and coherent in its narrative, and the result was to awaken the affections of fans outside the anime kingdom. It's a thoroughly unsubtle film, with big explosions, mystical platitudes, and hysterical emotions, but it is also visually glorious in a way that far outdistanced its predecessors. Akira is never going to win converts beyond a certain age -- the overblown, angst-ridden plot, which stretches on for over two hours, is best lapped up by wide-eyed teenagers. But this brash, brave effort to bring anime to the outside world is remarkable in how well it achieved that goal, and how greatly it exceeded the modest expectations of its brethren. ~ Derek Armstrong, All Movie Guide
 

(no awards)

General Specifications: Language Options: English, Japanese Subtitle Options: English Sound Processing: DD5.1: Dolby Digital w/ sub-woofer channel DTS: Digital Theater Systems (akin to 5.1) Additional Features: New Japanese DTS 5.1 surround english dolby digital 5.1 surround Anamorphic 16:9 widescreen (1.78:1 Aspect Ratio) Digitally restored picture (2001 Version) English subtitles Scene access DVD Aspect Ratio: 1.78:1: Alternate Wide Screen MPAA Rating: R DVD Discs Included: 1 DVD Sides: 1 DVD DVD Region Code: 1 Content Length: 124 min   DVD Chapters: Side #1 -- 1. 2019 Neo Tokyo [3:03] 2. Back Street [2:20] 3. Joker [1:33] 4. No.26 Takashi [3:34] 5. Chase [1:37] 6. Tetsuo vs. Clown [4:42] 7. Interrogation [3:43] 8. Colonel's Office [3:07] 9. Vocational School [2:59] 10. Clown's Revenge [2:24] 11. Illusion [3:00] 12. Terrorist Bombing [3:10] 13. Tetsuo's Memory [2:52] 14. Control Room [3:08] 15. Terrorist's Hideout [3:42] 16. Supreme Executives [2:33] 17. Invasion [5:36] 18. Battle in a Sewer [4:00] 19. To the Baby Room [5:15] 20. Locating Tetsuo [2:57] 21. Tetsuo Flies [3:06] 22. Haruki-Ya [:43] 23. In Prison [1:51] 24. Ready for Battle [3:19] 25. Nezu's Mansion [3:41] 26. Nezu's Demise [3:18] 27. Olympic Stadium [4:25] 28. Frozen Capsule [4:49] 29. SOL [5:17] 30. Momentary Break [3:33] 31. Stadium Showdown [2:16] 32. Tetsuo's Mutation [3:46] 33. Akira, Resurrected [3:39] 34. Memories [3:01] 35. Destruction [3:43] 36. Return of Kaneda [2:17]