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11 of 12 people found the following review helpful:
4.0 out of 5 stars
unique and memorable., August 9, 2000
This video should come with a warning - those of you expecting to be able to watch this and not go away reflecting on the contents will be very surprised. Amnesia is a surprisingly thought-provoking exercise in "what if" -- what if man was stripped of all knowledge and preconceptions, and thrust back into his environment? While many anime are content to merely use the concept as a plot device, this movie uses the topic to explore and ponder some interesting aspects of human sociology and development. Material is very well considered, almost to a fault -- at times, you'll feel like you're in the middle of a textbook. That's not so much the fault of the writers, but more the direction. The story is presented in a very matter-of-fact, clinical manner. This is rather unfortunate, since the underlying story is quite well realized. Animation is very well done, with some effort put into making the backgrounds part of the story telling device. Some will undoubtedly find part of the entertainment coming from figuring out the various landmarks depicted in the movie (I'd be willing to bet that the town in Montana is actually based on Banff, Alberta, a very popular destination for the Japanese.) Acting is something else. Like the directing itself, most of the vocals feel out of place and forced, lending an even more detached feel to the movie. While this may suit the Sophia character (played by Toda Keiko), it doesn't suit the rest of the players, with the possible exception of Johnny (played by Yamaguchi Kappei). One other aspect of this show bothers me: the subplot involving the out-of-control gaurdian chasing Wataru and Sophia across America. The writers have already crammed a lot of philosophy into this production, the addition of this sub-plot was extraneous and feels entirely out-of-place. While the message about technology is fairly clear, I can't shake the feeling the the only reason that this was included was to add some action to what is effectively a cerebral work. The show is most effective when it sticks to its exploration of the nature of mankind, and the possibility that the various aspects of human nature are inescapable. Sometimes preachy and sometimes sublime, Kaze No Namae Wa Amnesia is a very thought-provoking film. This is one of those movies that you watch over biscotti and latté, not popcorn and Coke.
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10 of 12 people found the following review helpful:
4.0 out of 5 stars
Credit where credit is due, July 19, 2003
You can not argue with an anime that has such beautiful imagination. It reads like an Arthur C. Clarke story, earth's first encounter with alien, and its impact economically, sociologically etc. Like his novels, its a subtle thriller, never revealing too much too soon and always leaving more questions than answers.
To complain about its animation is as shallow as complaining about 2001:space oddysey's special effects. This is an anime that will stimulate the introvert. Those with a vivid imagination will lose themselves in this fantasy. The imagery is is beautiful to me, the sunny blue-green landscapes, cold deserted cities, long stares into the night sky, and the soothing loneliness (an escape from modern chaos)
Although I wish they had made this into a series, and prevented the abrupt ending that inevitably occurred... squeezing the future of mankind in a 90min screening!
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11 of 14 people found the following review helpful:
5.0 out of 5 stars
Deep, January 6, 2002
This review is from: Wind Named Amnesia (DVD)
This is the most thought-provoking anime I've seen. It boldly goes where no anime has gone before. It goes beyond futuristic pinnochio themes, beyond emotional conflicts. The movie sets itself in a unique (and already thought-provoking) situation that allows it to examine some of the finer aspects of humanity. Some anime are created because they're funny, action-packed, have a beautiful character, or because they're well drawn. Kazuo Yamazaki (the director) has created a thoughtful artistic masterpiece. This movie is great for anyone in the mood to think. Animation = C
Character design = B
Voices = B
Music = B-
Storyline = A+++ Overall = A
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