DVD Review: the Prisoner

The Prisoner

(Warner Home Video, 288 minutes)

www.wbtvondvd.com

By Chris Zimmerman

It’s been over forty years since the original British television drama the Prisoner launched viewers into a world of paranoia and political intrigue. Four decades later and the series has found new life courtesy of AMC in the form of a six episode remake though it could hardly be considered as such. True the character’s names and settings are familiar but the plots departure from the original make it virtually unrecognizable to those accustomed to the cerebral nature of the original. Perhaps it’s due to its abdication of the source material in favor of a more sci-fi setting that this new take fails to measure up to the standards set by its predecessor.

The series opens with a man named 6, having just awoken in “the Village”, a peaceful little town situated in the heart of a desert and inhabited by cheerful citizens, unaware of the world that lies beyond. Convinced that this new reality he’s awakened into is false, 6 launches into a desperate search for answers as to where he is and how he came to be there. As he delves deeper into the secrets of the Village, he discovers others who believe themselves to be displaced.

Digging further beneath the surface reveals that he has a family who claim to have lived in the Village since they were children though his memories tend to disagree. Pulling the strings is the enigmatic 2, whose sole focus is to manipulate 6 into surrendering his will. As the story progresses, the truth is brought to the forefront though the audience may find itself just as confused as the Villages’ occupants.

Unfortunately, this is the biggest drawback to the series. The countless twists and turns the plot takes does little to add to the suspense one should feel; rather, chances are that viewers are likely to find themselves lost trying to follow the convoluted revelations thrown their way. Truthfully, much of the blame for the show’s erratic nature is in its story telling as scenes shift interchangeably between 6 throughout various periods of his life. For example, at the end of one episode we witness his incarceration in a mental facility only for the next episode to open with him wondering aimlessly through the Village. It’s clear what the writer’s were going for, but ultimately it just adds further confusion to an already perplexing plot.

Another of the show’s faults lie in its pacing. For a six episode series, there are moments where the plot feels as if it is dragging, and even moments that feel as if it has come to a complete halt. This is unforgivable, especially considering its meager episode count.

As confusing as it is, the story can be pieced together if one pays enough attention, though everyone will most certainly have to come to their own conclusions at to what the Village really is. Honestly, when the show isn’t limping along, there are genuinely enthralling moments that capture the viewer’s interest and threaten to never let go. Watching 6’s turbulent struggle to unwind the events set into motion is captivating and will have everyone taking notice. Add on to that its cinematic scope and the Prisoner comes off feeling more like a six hour epic than it does a series.

In terms of acting, this may have been the best cast program on television. Ian McKellen, gives his usual outstanding performance as the sinister 2. Starring alongside him is relative unknown Jim Caviezel whose portrayal of 6 gives the character depth, making the sense of desperation palpable, proving he has the acting chops to hang with Sir Ian.

Despite its overly ambitious plot and slow progression, buried beneath is a truly admirable effort that rewards its viewers and sends them off with a tremendous sense of satisfaction. It pushes people to think, which is rare for television today. If given a chance, viewers might just find themselves lost in the Village.

Special Features:

Unaired Scenes

Commentaries on 2 key episodes

Beautiful Prison: the World of the Prisoner

A 6 Hour Film Shot in 92 Days: the Diary of the Prisoner

The Prisoner Comic-Con Panel

The Man Behind 2 – Jamie Campbell Bower Interviews Sir Ian McKellen

The Prisoner - C

DVD Review: Neon Genesis Evangelion 1.11 You Are (Not) Alone

Neon Genesis Evangelion: 1.11 You Are (Not) Alone

(Funimation Entertainment, 100 Minutes)

http://www.funimation.com/evangelion/

By Chris Zimmerman

Lauded by critics and fans alike for its complex plot and its unwillingness to shy away from controversial themes, Neon Genesis Evangelion has long since established a name for itself as being one of the most engrossing as well as extensively studied shows in television history; a landmark for the anime and animation in general.

Created by the now legendary Hideaki Anno and debuting on Japanese Airwaves in 1995 in the form of a 26 episode television series Eva, as fans affectionately refer to it, featured an unusual take on the giant robot genre. With their sleek designs and emphasis on the pilot’s emotional responses to the destruction erupting around them, Anno redefined the concept for a new generation of fans. Plunging the audience into torrents of religious imagery and science fiction landscapes, he merged the two to spawn a unique mythology that has been contemplated by fans and scholars alike.

Despite having a strong story, when it came to the technical side Eva was certainly lacking. The animation, hardly considered to be fluid due to the show’s miniscule budget, was plagued by unstable frames and murky colors. Never the less, fans found themselves attracted to the character and mecha designs conceptualized by Yoshiyuki Sadamoto whose distinctive style of artistry added a vibrant appearance that otherwise contrasted with the show’s production values and its overtly dark tone.

Unfortunately, as the series neared its eventual conclusion, the story splintered apart, abandoning the direction in which it was heading and instead focusing solely on the psychological health of the main character, the young pilot Shinji. Rather than giving the audience a resolution as to humanity’s conflict with the angels, instead we were subjected to an hour of subjective philosophy from a teenager’s point of view. As a result, Hideaki Anno has revisited the franchise several times in an effort to present viewers with a more coherent understanding of his original vision.

Originally released in theatres as Neon Genesis Evangelion: 1.0 and then presented here on DVD as 1.11, Anno once again transports fans into the world of Eva, this time retelling the series in the form of a series of theatrical films. As of now, only two have been released with this being the first. So the question that now remains is: are these remakes an attempt to regurgitate the same story to an already proven audience or do the creators truly desire to tell a divergent story?

Honestly, based on this first foray one would have to lean toward the former as the majority of the film is a shot for shot remake of the first six episodes right down to dialogue and character placement. True, some scenes are shuffled around to create a more lucid viewing experience, but in the end there just isn’t enough new material to classify this as anything more than a retelling; though that’s not to say it’s a bad thing as many will attest. The wry humor, labyrinthine plots, and overly emotional characters that fans have come to love are still here; just condensed and with a more considerable budget. In truth, if there is one show worthy of the growing technical advances in cinema, it is Neon Genesis Evangelion.

The visuals are as striking as they ever were, in fact more so thanks to various improvements made to the colors and linework. While the series retains its classic look, it is given an extra polish that should impress those accustomed to the original.

Next is the audio which represents the biggest departure from the series. The soundtrack remains relatively untouched and only slightly upgraded in certain areas. The voice cast however has undergone a complete recasting with only Shinji and Misato retaining their original voice actors, Spike Spencer and Allison Keith-Shipp respectively. This is a major improvement as the majority of the cast were inadequate and unable to bring an emotional gravity that the role called for. This is the third time the series’ key antagonist, Gendo Ikari, has been recast and it may very well be the best he has ever sounded.

Originally 1.0 was released as just a single disc bare bones edition. 1.11 offers the fans more bang for their buck with a longer run time and bountiful extras spread across two discs. Consumers are even given the choice between DVD and Blu-Ray for maximum image resolution.

Even with its questionable status of being a remake, having more Eva is better than no Eva. Those who are already established fans should flock to this release for the upgraded technical advancements. For those who have never experienced Neon Genesis Evangelion, this release provides the perfect jumping on point. If anything can be ascertained from this release, You Are (Not) Alone captures all the psychological drama and religious iconography Eva is known for, looking better doing so.

Neon Genesis Evangelion 1.11 You Are (Not) Alone - A

DVD Review: Ninja Assassin

Ninja Assassin

(Warner Home Entertainment, 99 minutes)

http://ninja-assassin-movie.warnerbros.com/

By Chris Zimmerman

Ninja; the word itself stirs the imagination and opens up multiple possibilities for film makers and action fans alike. Though the quality of these films are questionable, often times varying from edge of your seat excitement to mildly enjoyable to disgustingly poor, one cannot deny that they provide the audience with sufficient amount of blood and gore to appease even the most hardcore of action fans. Ninja Assassin tends to be closer to the middle, reeking of choreographed action and an insubstantial plot.

Written by Mathew Sand and rewritten by J. Michael Straczynski, this highly stylized and excessively bloody action romp centers on ninja outcast Raizo (Rain), whose quest for vengeance to avenge a fallen friend pits him against those who made him into what he is. Over the course of the film, the story is told in the present with several flashbacks blended in to show the viewers Raizo’s life as it unfolds, from child in training to becoming a killing machine with a conscious.

As his training begins taking a toll on his psyche, he finds a friend in a young girl named Kiriko (Anna Sawai), who is far too nice to be considered ninja material. As Raizo’s flashbacks carry on, it is revealed that the two developed feelings for each other, with Kiriko’s gentile persona preventing Raizo from falling into the abyss. Naturally anyone paying will see where this is going and thus, a few fights later and so begins Raizo’s journey to bring down the clan that he once called family. Think Punisher with ninjas.

Meanwhile, Europol agent Mika Coretti (Naomi Harris) has been examining a slew of political assassinations and discovers that those involved are actually the same group that Raizo once belonged to. Naturally this leads to the two joining forces to bring down his former ninja kin.
Those wondering just how bloody this movie is need look no further than the opening scene. As a group of Yakuza laugh off the possibility of ninjas still existing in the world, they are suddenly attacked by a figure hidden in the shadows. Arms are sliced off, heads decapitated, and blood spraying from open wounds like a hydrant. The action is nothing short of impressive as the characters continuously find new ways to severe each other’s limbs.

Unfortunately, the acting is less successful as all the actors seem off although given the script; one can’t blame the cast for under-delivering. Even Rain, whose surprisingly powerful screen presence is an added benefit to the film, seems a bit off in delivery though this does little to detract from his believability as an action star.

Ninja Assassin isn’t a movie that will leave the audience thinking afterwards nor was it ever meant to be. Ultimately, it is a well paced B-Movie that delivers on its promise of 99 minutes of blood soaked action. The fight scenes are inspired and will at the very least appeal to anyone wowed by ninja martial arts.

Ninja Assassin – B-

Those who enjoyed the movie may also be interested in the Ninja Assassin iPhone app for only $.99.

DVD Review: One Piece: Season 2, Sixth Voyage

One Piece: Season 2, Sixth Voyage

(Funimation Entertainment, 320 minutes)

http://www.onepieceofficial.com/

By Chris Zimmerman

Originally conceived from the imagination of author Eiichiro Oda, One Piece is the story of Straw hat Monkey D. Luffy who as a child dreamed of attaining the title “king of the pirates”. After befriending the infamous “Red Haired Shanks”, Luffy inched closer to his goal when he accidentally consumed the mysterious “Devil’s Fruit”, a fruit that grants those who eat it abnormal powers in exchange for their ability to swim and float. In doing so, Luffy is transformed into a “rubber man”, gaining the ability to stretch, expand, and contort his body in any number of ways.

Years later he sets out to sea, coming across a hybrid of bizarre characters and forming powerful friendships with likeminded individuals whose own goals spur them to form a crew known as “the Straw Hat Pirates”. These include the bounty hunting swordsman Ruroroa Zoro, the cunning thief Nami, the cowardly but determined Usopp, the lustful chef Sanji, and the reindeer doctor Tony Tony Chopper.

As Season 2, Sixth Voyage opens, multiple events have been set into motion, culminating here in the final stretch of episodes referred to as “the Alabasta arc”. The “Straw Hat” crew has finally arrived in the desert kingdom of Alabasta with its missing princess Nefertari Vivi in tow. The devious warlord, Sir Crocodile, has instigated a rebellion against the royal family with plans to conquer the kingdom for himself and in doing so, sacrificing thousands of lives.

The set starts off with a bang, picking up where the previous collection left off with the “Straw Hats” taking on Crocodile’s merciless agents. Nami faces Ms. Double Finger in an uncharacteristically boring fight by One Piece standards mostly due to the former’s constant stalling as she flees from her enemy.

Things kick into high gear when Zoro squares off against Mr. 1 whose entire body is a blade. The fight is fast paced and especially brutal with blood flowing like tap water.

Moving forward, Crocodile has captured the King and reveals his plan to turn the kingdom into a country of military power using its ultimate weapon, “Pluton”. Entrusting the king to his subordinate, Nico Robin, Crocodile attempts to finish off Vivi, prompting a battle weary Luffy to intervene. Having suffered a loss to Crocodile in earlier episodes thanks to the powers he acquired from devouring a devil fruit of his own, the ability to manipulate sand, Luffy has picked up a few new tricks and discovered a unique weakness pertaining to the warlord.

Unfortunately, Luffy’s efforts prove fruitless as he is once again dispatched with relative ease by his powerful rival. Things look dire as Crocodile prepares to ascend the throne, revealing a bomb set to wipe out both the rebel army and the royal army. However, much to his surprise and annoyance, Luffy returns from the brink of death, ready for a third and final showdown.

This collection of episodes contains everything fans of One Piece have come to expect from the series. Character drama and over-the-top battles are prevalent with a healthy dose of humor to go around. If there’s one thing constant about One Piece, it’s the show’s tendency to be unpredictable evidenced by Luffy’s continuous failed attempts to defeat Crocodile which throws Alabasta’s fate into doubt, adding to the overall suspense of the arc.

Being a weekly program, the animation is standard for television. Some shortcuts like still frames and repeated sequences are taken but do little to detract from the overall gratification of the show. Though not the best, the animation is lively, giving the show an intensity rarely seen in the genre today.

As is per usual with a Funimation release, voice work is stellar. All the voices sound natural as the main cast has had significant time to grow comfortable with their roles.

Extra features are sparse as is the rule for anime releases. Included is a commentary track featuring the voice actors for Zoro and Mr. 1, portrayed by Christopher Sabat and Brett Weaver respectively. The only other extras are a group of trailers promoting other titles and a marathon feature.

One Piece has established quite the reputation for itself, both in Japan and here in the States, with its underlying themes of friendship and the pursuit of one’s dreams. Newcomers would find it in their best interest to start from an earlier point as this set marks the finale to one of the longest arcs in the show’s history. Those already familiar to the world of One Piece should already consider themselves welcome aboard.

One Piece: Season 2, Sixth Voyage - A