Paprika
Here Is What You Need To Know:
Paprika is a visual trip to say the least. Wow! This film really will knock you socks off with its visual innovation and novel looks. Unfortunately, Paprika lacks originality and soul. Instead Paprika lends quite heavily from other works of science-fiction. Paprika is the story of a scientist who is part of a small team that is working on a dream machine that literally allows psychologists to enter the dreams of patients, as well as record those dreams for later study. Not very original in concept but fairly original in execution.
What Was Cool:
-The visuals are awesome and will be, at moments, mind melting in High Definition.
-The voice acting is also top grade and ads to overall weight of the film.
-The features on the DVD are pretty interesting. In particular it is cool to see how 3D animation was seamlessly incorporated.
What Was Stupid:
-Paprika is a good film and director Satoshi Kon does a good job in creating a sharp and very memorable world; however, there is one big problem. I don’t want to ruin the story, but there are some issues concerning the portrayal of homosexuals that, from my perspective, are problematic. Paprika is based upon a novel by Yasutaka Tsutsui, which I know little of, but the movie Paprika does portray homosexuality in a negative light for reasons that I can’t understand. On this specific point I was a little puzzled and disappointed.
The Film's Real Genius or Geniuses:
Paprika is one of those films that is full of artistic genius, but unfortunately weak on script.
Overlooked Performance/Accomplishment:
Most Westerners have not seen Paprika and it is definitely worth your time. Especially in High-Definition!
Story C+ (You have probably seen most the major plot points before.)
Use of Science A (Paprika is obsessed with science and its implication for the future of mankind.)
Acting B+
Portrayal of Women B+ (Women are portrayed as being bold, decisive and capable, but some cliches about the feminity and the traditional role of women do surface toward the end.)
Visuals and Special Effects A (What a strange ride!)
Visuals-Set Design/Props N/A
Wardrobe/Costumes N/A
Style/Sex Appeal A (Paprika has lots of style and good looks.)
Enjoyability Grade B+
Home Theater/HD Factor A (This is a great way to use your HD set up to blow your mind and the minds of others.)
Gut Check (Level of Studio Executive Guts) C (Animated films are obviously expensive, but Paprika is based on a popular well-known book, so it’s a little hard to think too much bravery was involved.)
Overall Innovation B (Visually Paprika is a lot of fun and innovative in its own way.)
Overall Grade B- (While, she is “quite a looker” Paprika’s story needed more flavor.)
A Little Fact About Cherie:
-Obviously I don’t like negative depictions of gays or lesbians in film. I found the treatment of homosexuals and homosexuality in Paprika to be disappointing, very disappointing. That said, this issue does not change the quality of the animation, which is oh so good.
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