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3 of 3 people found the following review helpful:
5.0 out of 5 stars
A little backstory (possibly)..., June 28, 2004
This volume of Kino's Journey borrows slightly from Western-style SF, particularly in the narrative style of Ray Bradbury. The writers do their usual excellent job, not leaning too hard on their style and letting the stories unfold as they will.The first episode veers from the usual perspective by giving the first-person narrative to a guest character-- but for this story, it's a plus. The plot resembles Bradbury's "The Flying Machine", in places, but ends somewhat differently. I've got to say, though, that the character of the town's Chief is a bit too stereotypical and hard-nosed to be realistic. The second story recalls pieces of Fahrenheit 451, but with the expected twists that are typical of this series. Incidentally, a piece of Kino's personal history is (possibly) revealed here. Finally, the last story examines humanity from a nonhuman perspective, in the vein of Bradbury's "I Sing the Body Electric" or "Marionettes Inc.". I feel that this is probably the weakest of the three on this disc, but we're still talking about Kino's Journey, so the disappointment is minimal.
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2 of 2 people found the following review helpful:
5.0 out of 5 stars
It Was Like Magic, July 15, 2004
The third installment of the Kino's Journey DVDs does not disappoint. We begin with a story about a young girl with a dream, one that has captivated humanity since its very birth, the dream of flight. But she lives in a country where nothing is deemed of worth unless it helps enhance crop yield. This story is told through the girl's point of view, and Kino's involvement is miniscule. This episode is about the indomitable nature of the human spirit, and dreams that won't die. It also lets us know a bit about the world Kino lives in. From the first episode, we'd seen that Kino lived in a world with technological marvels, and yet, we also learn that in this alternate world, flight had not yet been developed.
The second episode is about a country where censorship is law. Books are limited to children's stories and technical manuals. Stories with "Dangerous ideas" are forbidden. And stories with interesting characters aren't allowed either, for fear that people will waste their lives pining for fictional characters. Or is it that the critics are locked away to protect the public from their self-important need to rend asunder that which others poured their hearts into? Or is it really that life is a blank book, and we're free to write what we want?
The final episode is somewhat reminiscent of Ray Bradbury's "I Sing the Body Electric." Kino and Hermes encounter a woman who claims to be a mechanical doll (robot), and she takes them to her home to meet her "masters". It becomes clear quickly to Kino that the masters are the dolls, and the woman is a human. What unfolds is a sad, somber story of love, loss, and a life of service in the name of fullfilment.
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1 of 1 people found the following review helpful:
5.0 out of 5 stars
Dreams, Aspirations or Denials, December 25, 2004
It is probably coincidental that the episodes one any given DVD of a series seem thematically related on other than the most global level. But if I were to name a theme for volume three of Kino's adventures it would be the powers and dangers of imagination. Kino and Hermes serve once again as both observers and occasional actors in the dramas that unfold around them, but this time we will get just a few short glimpses into Kino's own past.
Land of the Wizards is an unusually upbeat tale (for this series) about a young woman who is determined to create a flying machine, Kino lends a hand with the results. The real lesson, though, is embedded in the attitudes of the townsfolk toward the inventor. She goes from 'crackpot' to 'wizard' in their minds, but it never occurs to them that she and they are the same, but that they have accepted limitations she has not.
Continuing this emphasis on imagination, and a corollary concern with judgment, Kino's next trip is to The Land of Books, where you can find all the books that the critics think are 'safe' to read. The culture is oppressive, but even the revolutionaries that Kino joins in with are flawed. The story is haunting, and uncomfortably inconclusive.
The final story "Tale of the Mechanical Dolls" is the most piquant. The story uses layers of fantasy to blend a story about robots with a study of the importance of human relationships and the desire to feel needed. The interesting parallels between a partially automated family and Kino's own relationship with Hermes have to make the viewer wonder about the significance of the young girl's journey.
As usual, the episodes are think pieces rather than action adventures. This is an unusual pace of anime, and demonstrates that not every creative urge in the genre is focused on giant robots, magical girls and beautiful boys. Difficult themes can also be approached with the clarity of the serendipitous viewer, inviting us to wonder if we too aren't also Kino.
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