Most Helpful Customer Reviews
5 of 5 people found the following review helpful:
5.0 out of 5 stars
Awesome DVD if you are already a fan, March 8, 2003
This review is from: M.D. Geist - Director's Cut and Death Force (Collector's Series Edition) (DVD)
I recently purchased this DVD since I saw all the extras that came with it. I happen to be a big fan of Koichi Ohata (who created these films). I had already bought the previous DVD release and I own both of the movies separately on VHS. This release is by far the best format for these films. The picture looks better even though the first one is noticeably dated and the sound on the dub and sub are pretty good. The DVD extras are awesome this time around. There is audio commentary, tons of artwork, character sketches, storyboards, the altenate angle comic, and tons more stuff. This is part of the reason why this release is great. The movies themsleves are not often given good reviews by fans of anime and it is understandable why. MD Geist is different in that it has absolutely no comic relief and is a very somber story. All the characters have some kind of evil and/or selfish intent and are not that likeable. For me that is one reason why I like these films. It is a refreshing thing to see an anime with characters who are truly human in that they show the same flaws as real people unlike other anime that have only one character who is the anti-hero working alongside generous, virtuous heroes. Story wise, the movies follows Geist who is the second in a line of military experiments to create the ultimate soldier knows as MDS: Most Dangerous Soldiers. After having served in the regular army on the planet Jerra against the Nexrum army (whose goal is to prevent the Earth Government from controlling all planets), he is considered by his military creators to be far too dangerous to live and is imprisoned in an orbital sattelite. With the war raging on, civilization on Jerra is virtually dissapearing. The sattelite that Geist was in crashlands on the planet and Geist is released. He eventually finds himself the leader of a group of bandits after he kills their boss in a fight. The boss's girlfriend is quick to use Geist as a tool to get money from the regular army. After rescuing a tank of regular army troops from a Nexrum strike team, Geist joins them in a mission to stop a malfuntioning doomsday device at their own base that will spread an army of robots over Jerra to exterminate all life. During the mission Geist's true intentions are revealed. The second film picks up where the first left off. Jerra is now being destroyed by the Death force and humanity is without hope. The original MDS named Krauser has the last remnants of humans in a fortress in the desert where he is like a god to them. When Geist's presence is finally realized. Krauser will stop at nothing to stop Geist (now on his maniacal killing spree). The regular army and the Nexrum decide to collaborate to destry the Death Force with an atomic weapon but Geist has plans of his own. The two soldiers clash and old scores are put to rest in this sequel. I would not really reccommend this DVD even to anime fans because of its excessive violence and thin plot. I happen to like it for what it is so I think the fans that would like it the most are ones who like action packed anime with no comedy. Even in that case I would reccommend trying to rent it first if possible. These films are pure action and not much else put simply.
Help other customers find the most helpful reviews
Was this review helpful to you? Yes
No
2 of 2 people found the following review helpful:
4.0 out of 5 stars
Oldschool., March 28, 2007
This review is from: M.D. Geist - Director's Cut and Death Force (Collector's Series Edition) (DVD)
This is one of those animes that can't be judged by today's standards. The first was released in 1986, and to appreciate it you've got to pull yourself away from all the Love Hina-Tenchi-cute robot girl and overly dramatic series like Naruto. While it isn't the best out there, it's a good piece to own if you grew up on anime from this era. Gritty and gorey. So, when you're watching this, forget the year 2000 or so date that this package has and remember that it is in fact from 1986.
Help other customers find the most helpful reviews
Was this review helpful to you? Yes
No
2 of 2 people found the following review helpful:
4.0 out of 5 stars
post nuke B Movie meets Pulp Anime, May 9, 2003
This review is from: M.D. Geist - Director's Cut and Death Force (Collector's Series Edition) (DVD)
Where to begin... well, MD Geist's greatness is defintly NOT for deep plot or advocating peace. If you were ever a fan of B- rate post nuclear wasteland movies from the 80's then this is the anime tribute to all those. If you enjoyed movies in the vein of Mad Maxx then you've probably found something else to satisfy that violent streak in you in full anime style. Since I personally enjoy the cheezyness of the live action types of these movies, I found MD Geist to be a complete hoot =) If you have a violent streak in you, and you chuckled at things like the bathroom scene in KITE, the anatomy lessens offered in the original Vampire Hunter D, or such fun as the friendly "negociations" in Fist of the North Star then you'll get that wicked smile again with MD Geist. Past that, there probably isn't much here for the "traditional" anime buyer looking for the usual national release quality anime. If you want that spin then just read the rest of the anime review sites on the net and you'll find that result.
Help other customers find the most helpful reviews
Was this review helpful to you? Yes
No
|
