056 4 I've been a huge fan of Satoshi Kon since watching Perfect Blue , and this film is no exception . A unique and engaging story , gorgeous animation , and great voice acting for the English dub . As with all of this director's works , this is an adult-oriented anime , but only because of the themes involved and complexity of the story , not because of gratuitous nudity or fountains of blood . Enjoy !
030 4 From the Same director's mind who created the brilliant Perfect Blue movie , Animes Alfred Hitchcock of movies comes this wildly trippy story that has a futuristic concept that fuels the craziness . If you liked Perfect Blue , this is also a movie to check out . - If you haven't seen Perfect Blue , you need to watch that too !
033 4 Great picture on blu-ray , colors look deep and rich . The story gets confusing in the beginning but when the story picks up toward the middle of the movie the story starts falling into place .
064 4 This is an extraordinary movie giving you an insightful vision of life .
Enjoyed every minute of it .
Highly recommended .
068 4 ever so delightful . it is slightly chaotic , but it makes perfect sense given its subject . you will probably be very happy you watched it . a very good soundtrack accompanies it as well . it is full of mental and aural and visual treats .
077 4 Amazing visuals and soundtrack . Solid story line . Amazing representations of dualism that make the film an enriching experience . Rather than hit you over the head with the symbolic references in the film that make the story so great , why not see it for your self ?
082 4 Before I begin let just say I have been a Satoshi Kon fan for many years . With that out of the way , this film has replaced Perfect Blue as my favorite film from him . Like his other films the story is really plot and character driven it a thinking person's film and not just an action or whatever driven film . There are parts that make you laugh , parts that go aww , parts that are just wow , and even a few that leave you puzzled . I recommend this film to any Sotoshi fan , to those who have just started watching anime , and everyone in between . On a final note I have seen this film four times now and still find it interesting . Also to me the Blue-ray looks even better than in the theaters .
015 4 All i have to say about Paprika is what a wonderful movie it is . It doesn't take long after the movie starts for you to start gasping at how imaginative the movie is . With its focus on dreams the creators had no limit to what they could put in here and it shows . Buy it and watch it , then watch it again , and watch it a couple dozen times after that .
028 4 I first saw this film in Manhattan . I wasn't really there to see it , I just picked it at random . It's the sort of film that shows you just how far ahead in the animation business the Japanese really are , especially compared to us Americans . The film is strongly character driven , which is important because many of it's scenes use dream sequences , and dream logic depends strongly on the characters involved in it . It's deep , involving , and has quite a few unexpected twists before the end . I recommend this film to everyone .
072 4 I enjoyed Satoshi Kon's other Animated film Tokyo God Fathers and was highly anticipating the english dubbed version of Paprika . I was surprised and delighted with the new film but found it to be a bit over whelming at times.I enjoy watching a story being told in Anime more and more these days over live action.Satoshi Kon never disappoints and is establishing a legacy with his films right up there with the Master Hayao Miyazaki.If you haven't seen his work before I highly recommend Tokyo God Fathers and Paprika . So get you loved ones on the sofa , get the pop corn a pop-in and get ready for a great ride with lots of laughs and surprises . . .
074 4 Well , the animation was impressive . The plot pulled me in , it really does have a matrix undertone to it , and since I liked the matrix , this was more of a reason for me to favor this film ! ! ! !
080 4 I've yet to see anything as eye popping as Paprika was . Brilliant use of animation and seamless CGI incorporated in an already mind blowing story .
083 4 The other customer reviews have already summarized the movie well enough , so I'll skip that part . I must simply say that this movie is quite possibly the most engrossing and beautifully produced anime film I've ever seen . The animation is gorgeous , the score is phenomenal , and the story and imagery bring to mind the best works of Miyazaki and Shirow . While the spiky-haired clones flail around in the world of mediocre anime , this movie stands head and shoulders above them in maturity , innovation and skill .
Paprika [ Blu-ray ] ( Blu-ray )
I liked this from the moment I started watching . But I already had an idea of what to expect . I have most of his previous work on dvd .
Millennium Actress
is one of my favorites . So I'm familiar with seeing the direction of the characters and story come full circle . It's what I like about Satoshi Kon's work .
As much as I enjoyed this , I wouldn't go as far as to gush about it . I wouldn't recommend this to anyone and everyone like I would a
My Neighbor Totoro
. That's a charming , general audience , mass appeal anime kinda title . This isn't , and I don't think it pretends to be .
Being blunt , but not disrespectful here , I imagine there will be those that are gonna wanna clown this . Why ? Well , the imagery for one . Or , if you come into this cold , without any experience with anime , and miss what's Japanese about it . As an American and fan of anime for several years now , I can easily come up with bunk like What's with the X-Men lookin ' bald dude in the wheelchair ? Jeezus H Christmas , look at that guy , that is one freakin ' fat cartoon character That little old runt with the coke bottom bottle glasses looks like the guy from Pinocchio ! or better yet It was confusing , and all the dolls , toys an ' whatnot on parade looked silly , but dude , Paprika is hot . That kinda thing , it's to be expected . I just did it .
So yeah , my first look at Paprika is through my American eyes , and I see how mere cartoons here don't get much by way of respect . Let alone cartoons from a foreign country , complete with foreign language . And it's a shame . Not all of it is low budget junk , and besides , not all low budget junk is bad . But what's a fan to do ?
Anyway , bring on the negative , it won't change my mind . I like Paprika .
As with his previous movies
Tokyo Godfathers
,
Perfect Blue
, and
Satoshi Kon's Paranoia Agent : Complete Collection
, the character designs are never drawn pretty or handsome just for the sake of looking good . They all seem to match their respective roles . Take the character Kosaku Tokita , he's this super sized , no neck havin ' , barely fits in an elevator kinda guy . I think it's just a way to exaggerate his embodiment of a very childlike nature . This Child within , the playful , imaginative one . He's a big kid , and his inventive mentality has led to the development of a device that allows others to see the actual dreams within your mind . It's called the DC mini , and it's a tool for psychotherapy ( what these guys croon about in
Road to Ruin
: )
At the opposite end of this character spectrum , approximately one light year away , in a pretty sharp contrast with Kosaku Tokita , there's the female Doctor Atsuko Chiba . She's slim , petite , elegant , hair's tied in a bun , cool and reserved . Her dress and manner is intelligent , serious and professional . To me , she takes on the role of the Adult inside of us - the parent , the one that scolds , the one that nurtures . She's a responsible , level headed character .
There's just enough of the real , non dream world portrayed here to propel the mystery of what happens with Kosaku Tokita's invention . And I'm definitely satisfied with the conclusion . But again , I already had an idea of what to look forward to . The little nudity and violence that ' ' s here isn't for shock value or in place to appeal to a prurient nature . Not by any means . It's simply part of the story . Since these kinds of things aren't a common sight in animated titles that are shown on tv , here in the US , they may seem rather strange . This is probably what moves it to the R rating .
A few other things :
From beginning to end this is packed with numerous visual details . I was impressed with the overall look . It's very consistent . They made a great effort to blend everything - 2D , 3D CGI , and it shows . Instead of me going oh they used a computer here , that thing looks cheezy ( like the cars in this one , which happens to be a really good , entertaining story
Initial D : First Stage - The Complete First Season
) I found myself going whoa quite a few times .
The shimmering of the opening early sequence outfits is really noticeable on blu ray . And it looks cool . On the dvd , this effect didn't pop out at me like it does here . In the extras section they show and talk about it as well the other effects . To hear why they put things like this , and the reasoning behind their other choices is interesting and funny at times . I couldn't help but be reminded of
Cat Soup ( Liquid Art Limited Edition )
as I watched the circus tent scene . It's another visual treat with some dreamy sequences not for kids . If you're still looking for yet another visually trippin ' title that's open to some interpretation , you might want to rent / check out
Tekkon Kinkreet [ Blu-ray
] .
001 4 It's no secret amongst fans of intelligent , adult sci-fi that some of the best genre films these days aren't originating from Hollywood , but rather from the masters of Japanese anime . Films like Akira and Ghost in the Shell display a quality of writing and visual imagination that few live action productions ( post Blade Runner ) can touch .
One of the most adventurous anime directors is Satoshi Kon . In previous work like his incredibly dense and ambitious TV miniseries Paranoia Agent , and in several feature films , Kon has displayed a flair for coupling complex characterization with a neo-realistic visual style that tends to make me forget that I'm watching an anime . Most of Kon's work up until this point has drawn on genres that one does not typically associate with anime : adult drama ( Tokyo Godfathers ) , film noir ( Perfect Blue ) , psychological thriller ( Paranoia Agent ) and character study ( Millennium Actress ) .
Kon's latest film , Paprika is actually the first of his animes that I would categorize as sci-fi . . . and it's a doozy .
A team of scientists develops an interface device called the DC mini that facilitates the transference of dreams from one person to another . This dream machine is designed primarily for use by psychotherapists ; it allows them to literally experience a patient's dreams and take a closer look under the hood , if you will . In the wrong hands , however , this could potentially become a very dangerous tool .
As you have likely already guessed , someone has hacked into a DC mini and started to wreak havoc with people's minds . One by one , members of the research team are driven to suicidal behavior after the dreams of patients are fed into their subconscious without their knowledge ( much akin to someone slipping acid into the punch ) . Things get more complicated when these waking dreams begin taking sentient form and start spreading like a virus , forming a pervasive matrix that threatens to supplant reality ( whew ! ) . A homicide detective joins forces with one of the researchers , whose alter-ego , Paprika , is literally a dream girl , a sort of super-heroine of the subconscious .
Mind blowing doesn't even begin to describe this Disney-on-acid / murder mystery / psychological sci fi-horror story . It is Kon's most visually ambitious work to date , with stunning use of color and imagery ( mark my words-this one has future cult midnight movie written all over it ) .
Kon raises some engaging philosophical points ( aside from the hoary what is reality ? debate ) . At one point , Paprika ponders : Don't you think dreams and the internet are similar ? They are both areas where the repressed conscious vents . I think Kon is positing that the dream state is the last sacred place left for humans ; if technology encroaches we will lose our last true refuge . A must-see for anime and sci-fi fans .
002 4 Besides the animated films of Miyazaki Hayao , I have rarely watched Japanese animation during the past six years or so . However , during that time period I did happen to see a film called Perfect Blue . Unlike much anime with their bug-eyed , florescent haired characters , Perfect Blue was animated in a more realistic style and like the animated films of Oshii Mamoru it delved into questions of the mind , image , and reality . Since the release of Perfect Blue , Kon Satoshi also directed Millennium Actress , Tokyo Godfathers , and the television series Paranoia Agent none of which I have seen myself , but of which I have heard good things from my anime watching friends . I was attracted to the film Paprika when I saw some of the colorfully vibrant film stills and heard a couple of Hirasawa Susumu's pulsating electric tracks from its soundtrack . This past weekend I watched the film twice and I am still trying to unravel some of the threads of thought that it has left in my brain .
Paprika opens in . . . a circus . Detective Konakawa , apparently on an undercover mission suddenly finds himself within a cage after the emcee , supposedly a friend , points . He then falls through the floor into spy film , also a Tarzan film , and also a gangster film . We then see him open up a door to see a body falling after it has been shot and the culprit escaping . Konakawa then wakes up next to a lithe , red-headed girl . Using a device called a DC mini which allows an individual to enter another's dreams to find what is ailing the patient . The girl , called Paprika , is quite experienced at her job and is quite knowledgeable about dreams and the inner psyches of individuals . However , Paprika herself is nothing more than the manifestation of the psyche of Dr . Chiba Atsuko , a very serious woman who is quite dedicated to her profession even if it means doing things a bit under the table . Problems begin when Dr . Tokita , a morbidly obese childlike genius , informs Chiba that three of the DC minis have been stolen . To make matters worse , Dr . Tokita never programmed security codes into the devices to prevent just anyone from being able to use them . The first evident victim of the DC mini is the section chief Shima who suddenly dives out a window when his psyche is invaded by another's dreams . Chiba goes to sleep in order to allow Paprika to jump into Shima's dream . There she discovers a very creepy circus led by a mailbox and a refrigerator just like Shima said before he jumped out the window . She soon discovers that the culprit is Dr . Tokita's assistant Himuro who is in the guise of a Japanese doll . However , do things truly end with Himuro or is there something much deeper at stake ?
Like the comics of Shirow Masamune , Paprika delves into the question of science and technology and its relationship to mankind . The Chairman states that dreams should not be invaded by science because they are precious to humans . With the intervention of science this purity is lost and humans lose a vital aspect of themselves . The self and the Internet is also an issue within this film . People create lives and personas completely different from their true selves online . Be it being a jerk on You Tube or creating a fantasy life , individuals allow for their psyches to span in cyberspace . These are just a couple of questions that the film raises . Sexuality in the being of Dr . Chiba , a mature woman , and Paprika , a teenaged girl , also plays a significant role , but I feel as if I need to watch the film a couple more times before I delve into that topic .
With its pulsating soundtrack and wide ranging milieu of colors , Paprika is quite an experience both aurally and visually . Definitely an animated film to be watched for those interested in the genre expanding potential of animation , Paprika will definitely spark one's thinking cap .
003 4 Paprika
Paprika is simply the most compelling work of anime and science fiction I have seen in a long time . It may not be easily understood . But it's so amazingly animated and imaginative it has become my personal favorite .
The story is based upon a new invention , the DC Mini , that allows people to enter and experience each other's dreams . The idea is for therapists to enter a patient's dreams to aid with analysis and treatment . But the invention falls into the wrong hands and causes an epidemic . Psychotherapist Atsuko Chiba uses her alter-identity , Paprika , to investigate the nightmare and track down the abusers of the DC Mini .
Most of the story takes place within people's dreams , which allows for some amazing Alice in Wonderland type dream imagery . It all ties in with the story . Anybody who has ever read a book on dreams or tried to figure out their own will get a kick out of this .
One thing that I really liked about the story is that it's both playful and grown up at the same time . They resist the need for unnecessary emphasis on sex that is often used in many anime films . Several of the main characters are women , but they wear real clothes . There is almost no nudity to speak of , the only exception being a dream sequence that ties in with the story .
Music is used minimally . There is some cool Japanese electro-pop that plays at a few select points in the background . Still , there could have been a lot more music in the movie . The moderate use of music seems to have been done to make you focus on the images , and the effect is a good one .
Sony Pictures Classics has done an amazing job with the DVD transfer . The images are beautiful and crisp . The US market for Japanese style anime is always growing . So I'm sure there are many who will want to check this out .
As far as special features go , there are still too few of them here . This is a trend that has continued for too long . You get the audio commentary option if you want to watch the movie again with the creators talking in your head . Then there's a short interview type segment that explores the thoughts and approaches of the various members of the creative team . Other than a few extras , that's pretty much it . I wish they could have added much more .
Fans of Sotoshi Kon will remember his popular works , Millennium Actress
Millennium Actress
and Paranoia Agent
Paranoia Agent - Complete Collection
. Still this movie is so amazing it will appeal to a wide audience and win Mr . Kon new fans .
Conclusion
If you like science fiction , anime and imaginative cinema , you will most likely love this movie .
Enjoy ! ! !
004 4 So the psychologists have invented a DC-Mini machine that lets the therapist enter another person's dreams . The only teensiest problem is that it also lets the dreams OUT of the dreamer's mind . And once outside , the dreams coalesce in vivid colors and shapes and then run around loose on the streets of Tokyo . Fortunately for civic order and sanity , Paprika , the flirty and delightful goddess of the Dreamtime , comes along too . . .
It's a good thing she does , because the Bad Guys have stolen three DC-Mini machines , which - bad planning , this - don't have access controls . So Dr . Chiba , the woman psychologist , and her co-worker , Dr . Tokita , who invented the contraption to begin with , have to chase down the thieves . But they have help from Detective Konokawa , provided he's not dreaming that he's Tarzan swinging through the vines carrying Dr . Chiba , and the two bartenders of a bar located somewhere in the Dreamtime , done with cameo voice acting performances by Satoshi Kon , the director , and Yasutaka Tsutsui , the author of the original novel . Meanwhile , outside - well , it's not really clear what outside means anymore - the dreams are bringing dolls , refrigerators , umbrellas , mailboxes , vending machines all to life in a vast and enthusiastically noisy procession through Tokyo . And , as the Bad Guys start gaining control , people commit suicide too , because sometimes dreams are nightmares .
Paprika herself simply runs away with the film . She and Dr . Chiba are alter-egos - which is * not * the same as saying that Paprika is merely Dr . Chiba looking a bit dreamier . Paprika really is a goddess - kami in Japanese - of the Dreamtime , and the ending alone is worth the price of the film .
But don't expect psychobabble from Paprika . The film offers no fake explanations or pseudo-philosophy about The Nature of Reality . Yes , if you want to go there , Paprika is a serious analysis of art , reality , and dreaming , as one would expect from Kon . But , in the meantime , that procession is crashing in through the ceiling , so maybe it's time to move on out of here , say by swinging off on some vines ?
Paprika is delicious . Very highly recommended .
005 4 I've been looking for a good anime for a very long time and just could not find one , until I found Paprika . Satoshi Kon is one of the best anime directors out there and has an amazing ability to suck you right into the story line . The immagry is beautiful , while the plot is given equally good detail and attention . I'd recommend it to anyone .
006 4 When I saw the trailers for this movie , I was stunned with its visual creativity , and the film has certainly delivered . The dream sequences are fantastic . However , what really got me what the complexity and intricacy of the writing . You don't have to go far in the modern cinema to find a movie that looks pretty , but in this movie you would also find something that's deeply thoughtful and intelligent .
There are many storylines , some explicit , some weaving somewhere in the background . There are also many parallels , where different characters experience similar conflicts , though each one goes through it in a unique way .
After I watched it , my first reaction was , I need to see this again . I probably missed half of it .
It * can * be a rather confusing movie . But do try to be patient in figuring everything out .
007 4 This review is from :
Paprika [ Blu-ray ] ( Blu-ray )
Paprika is the out going and perky alter ego of Atsuko Chiba , a young research psychologist who uses a revolutionary device dubbed the DC Mini to help patients by entering their dreams . Unfortunately , the DC Mini has fallen into the wrong hands , and it is up to the buxom Paprika to prevent the dreamworld from melding with reality .
The beautiful Paprika is seemingly a polar opposite of her reality based self . Atsuko dresses more conservatively and is more cautious , while Paprika's wardrobe is a little more hip and revealing , and she has no problem leaping before looking . It is Paprika whom we spend most of our time with as she enters people's mental landscapes in an attempt to discover who stole the DC Mini and how to stop them from destroying the line between reality and fantasy . This is a save the world story with some pretty unique twists .
I was quite pleased with the English dub . While it is not without fault , it is significantly better than the monotonic , melodramatic dubs that we are use to . Of course , purist still have the option of listening to the Japanese language track if they prefer , but they should give the English track a chance .
Paprika is truly a work of art . You could quite literally randomly press pause , and have an image that you would be proud to have on your wall . Reality is rigid and structured with slightly a subdued color palette . . The dreamworld is vibrant , loose and whimsical . It is a striking contrast that I have never seen in anime before .
Picture quality is simply sublime . This is a show piece Blu-ray disc . Colors are incredibly deep and vibrant , but they never bleed unlike my experience with the DVD . This disc is the definition of eye candy . Audio is impressive as well . The soundtrack is creative and memorable with one in particular nasty ear worm that will run in your head for days , but you won't complain .
The special features are pretty much what we have come to expect - commentary , behind the scenes , the making of , etc . - though they are rather in depth . Be warned , however , they the special features are in Japanese only . There is , however , the option for subtitles .
This Blu-ray transfer is what all anime should strive for . Lines are crisp ( when need be ) , and colors pop off the screen . It is difficult to talk about the story without giving too much away , but rest assured that it is complex and mature , though I never felt lost . It is worth mentioning for those who are sensitive to nudity that there is a full nude body shot of Paprika , though only her breasts are revealed - no genitalia . This is a title that every anime fan needs in their collection , and is the perfect entry to the world of anime for those who are unfamiliar .
Tech Specs
Video : 1080p , 1.85 : 1
Audio : English Dolby TrueHD 5.1 , Japanese Dolby TrueHD 5.1 , French Dolby Digital 5.1 , Spanish Dolby Digital 5.1 , Portuguese Dolby Digital 5.1 , Chinese Mandarin / Cantonese Dolby Digital 5.1 , Thai Dolby Digital 5.1
Subtitles : English , English SDH , French , Spanish , Portuguese , Chinese , Korean , Thai
008 4 Paprika is the out going and perky alter ego of Atsuko Chiba , a young research psychologist who uses a revolutionary device dubbed the DC Mini to help patients by entering their dreams . Unfortunately , the DC Mini has fallen into the wrong hands , and it is up to the buxom Paprika to prevent the dreamworld from melding with reality .
The beautiful Paprika is seemingly a polar opposite of her reality based self . Atsuko dresses more conservatively and is more cautious , while Paprika's wardrobe is a little more hip and revealing , and she has no problem leaping before looking . It is Paprika whom we spend most of our time with as she enters people's mental landscapes in an attempt to discover who stole the DC Mini and how to stop them from destroying the line between reality and fantasy . This is a save the world story with some pretty unique twists .
I was quite pleased with the English dub . While it is not without fault , it is significantly better than the monotonic , melodramatic dubs that we are use to . Of course , purist still have the option of listening to the Japanese language track if they prefer , but they should give the English track a chance .
Paprika is truly a work of art . You could quite literally randomly press pause , and have an image that you would be proud to have on your wall . Reality is rigid and structured with slightly a subdued color palette . . The dreamworld is vibrant , loose and whimsical . It is a striking contrast that I have never seen in anime before .
Picture quality is simply sublime . This is a show piece Blu-ray disc . Colors are incredibly deep and vibrant , but they never bleed unlike my experience with the DVD . This disc is the definition of eye candy . Audio is impressive as well . The soundtrack is creative and memorable with one in particular nasty ear worm that will run in your head for days , but you won't complain .
The special features are pretty much what we have come to expect - commentary , behind the scenes , the making of , etc . - though they are rather in depth . Be warned , however , they the special features are in Japanese only . There is , however , the option for subtitles .
This Blu-ray transfer is what all anime should strive for . Lines are crisp ( when need be ) , and colors pop off the screen . It is difficult to talk about the story without giving too much away , but rest assured that it is complex and mature , though I never felt lost . It is worth mentioning for those who are sensitive to nudity that there is a full nude body shot of Paprika , though only her breasts are revealed - no genitalia . This is a title that every anime fan needs in their collection , and is the perfect entry to the world of anime for those who are unfamiliar .
Tech Specs
Video : 1080p , 1.85 : 1
Audio : English Dolby TrueHD 5.1 , Japanese Dolby TrueHD 5.1 , French Dolby Digital 5.1 , Spanish Dolby Digital 5.1 , Portuguese Dolby Digital 5.1 , Chinese Mandarin / Cantonese Dolby Digital 5.1 , Thai Dolby Digital 5.1
Subtitles : English , English SDH , French , Spanish , Portuguese , Chinese , Korean , Thai
009 4 There's something wonderfully sublime about Japanese culture and anime is definitely one of the ultimate expressions of that indefinable something that makes Japan so alluring . Case and point is this film where everything is so incredibly layered and working on so many different levels . Paprika is definitely a high water mark for anime and all that it represents . The main character is especially interesting , sort of like a super hero with a split personality or something . . . I think . . . I'm still not sure exactly what's going on but I've only watched the movie twice . It's definitely a film you'll need to watch more than once .
The visuals are stunning , the sound track is amazing , everything comes together . There were one or two parts that dragged but besides that this was a perfect movie .
010 4 I am not too much of an anime guy , but I don't hate it either . Every now and then I like me some bug-eyed girls in mini skirts swinging giant swords and piloting giant robots . However , there are a couple of directors working in the medium that are giants in the Japanese film industry , who could proudly stand side-by-side with Kurosawa Akira , Ozu Yasujiro and Mizoguchi Kenji . Miyazaki Hayao is one . Takahata Isao is another . A third in the group is Kon Satoshi , a director who never ceases to amaze me and who's every film is a delight and a wonder .
His latest film , Paprika , tells the story of a stolen DC Mini dream machine , a distraught police detective Konakawa , a child-like scientist named Tokita , and the beautiful but cold Doctor Atsuko Chiba and her wild dream-persona Paprika . Based on the novel by science fiction master Tsutsui Yasutaka , who also wrote
Girl Who Leapt Through Time
, the story is a trip into realms of psychotherapy , dream logic and pure id unleashed .
However , like all dreams , dwelling on the storyline is a mistake . It is all about the imagery and the way the rules of reality can be torn to shreds yet still make perfect sense at the time . Kon has always dealt with the themes of reality / unreality , and plays with the animation genre as no other director does . Realms shift effortlessly from one to another , leaving the viewer completely disorientated , but in a good way . Here , he is channeling his best Windsor McKay and
Little Nemo In Slumberland
, where physics are just a plaything to be bent and twisted .
Of course , as one would expect from a Kon Satoshi flick , the animation is absolutely spectacular . He can effortlessly flow between CGI and traditional cel animation , and in pure control of the medium there is no one who can match him . Other animators may tug on the heartstrings more , like Miyazaki or Takahata , but neither are as dazzling as Kon in the sheer mechanics of animation .
This DVD is beautiful , and they included the same extras found on the Japanese DVD release . I am sorry I missed this one on the big screen , but it is an absolute must-see in any format .
011 4 The DC Mini was created to not only record and watch a person's dreams , but to actually enter them as well . It was created by Kosaku Tokita at the Foundation for Psychiatric Research and was meant to be a form of therapy to help people find the purpose of manic disorders and other manias such as fear or anxiety issues . But when the DC Mini is stolen and the same dream is being implanted into people while they're awake with chaotic results , then the research foundation takes it upon themselves to try and find out who is behind all of this . Tokita , along with Atsuko Chiba and Torataro Shima , are on the case . But who is Paprika and how does Detective Toshimi Konakawa fit into the equation ?
Let me just start off by saying I loved this film . It is weird , it is unusual , and it's creatively original . I think those are some of the best reasons to like Paprika other than the fact that the animation is incredibly fluid and crisp and the story is quite good , but we'll come back to those points shortly . With a film like Paprika that is so complex and so good , there's a lot of key points to mention .
There seems to be so much going on in the film even though it pretty much centers around one dream and it's a dream for the ages . One of the things I love about Paprika is that whenever this dream is implanted into somebody while they're awake , they just start spitting this random gibberish that doesn't make sense until you actually see the dream and see this parade . The way this parade bleeds into not only Detective Kogawa's dream , but into the real world is also a sight within itself .
Over the years I've found that not only anime fans but fans of foreign cinema prefer to watch the film in its natural language with subtitles rather than the English dubbed version . I'm not talking about someone who just watches anime occasionally , but die hard fans . The English dubbing used to be pretty bad on a lot of anime titles , but it's either progressed quite a bit since I last watched a dubbed title or this film is an exception . I had no problems watching the English dub of Paprika . The voices all fit the characters , it was synced up well , nothing really sounded out of place . I'd actually recommend the English dub over the subtitled version . The audio , in general , was very good . The soundtrack also fit Paprika like a glove . The music during the parade dream is a perfect example of this .
The animation of Paprika is where the film really shines . Each surreal dream is illustrated beautifully and each cel of animation flows in an almost realistic fashion . It's some of the best animation I've seen in an animated film that isn't entirely CGI . The story also reeled me in since what started off as something somewhat simple wound up being more complex than what I once thought . Most of Tokita's dialogue where he's describing why he created the DC Mini and it's purposes are a huge mouthful of scientific jargon that's hard to comprehend to its full extent on the first viewing of Paprika . I got more than what I expected story-wise and I was extremely happy with that .
Paprika is an extremely well animated , intelligent , trip into one's imagination that I'd recommend to anyone . The best way I can describe the film is by saying it's kind of like Akira with a story that actually makes sense . Track this film down , whether you're a fan of animated films or not . I think you'll be pleasantly surprised .
012 4 One of the more lovelier things about the realm of Japanese animation is its sense of variety . American animation by contrast tends to be focused on younger audiences and those looking for more adult storylines have to go elsewhere . While the name Hayao Miyazaki has become an increasing presence among anime and animation fans in general , another name has been generating interest and he's Satoshi Kon . Responsible for Perfect Blue , Tokyo Godfathers and the Paranoia Agent TV series , Kon's stories tend to be a little bit more abstract and a bit more heavier in terms of story but like I said , variety is very much welcome in the anime field . With his latest , Paprika , Kon offers a story that's just as convoluted as Perfect Blue but enough visual eye candy to compete with the best of them .
In the near future , a new device called the DC Mini has been used to interact with patients and their dreams and offer a bit of analysis but the device hasn't been approved by the government . Head of the team , Dr . Atsuko Chiba has been using the device illegally and after helping Detective Konakawa with his recurring dream , the team's horrified to learn that 3 DC Mini's have been stolen and since programming that restricts who uses the devices haven't been installed , the thief can infiltrate anyone's dreams and cause mischief . With Konakawa and Tokita , the device's inventor , Atsuko uses her dream persona Paprika to figure out who stole the devices as dreams and reality gradually begin to merge .
Describing the plot of Paprika is just as difficult as watching it . Unlike Tokyo Godfathers which was fairly easy to grasp , the story behind Paprika requires utmost attention and this isn't one of those films where you can just leave it running while you do homework or clean a bit , occasionally glancing at the screen . My first viewing I was ready to label it a huge disappointment which was a far cry from Perfect Blue which on one hand I didn't understand but still enjoyed ; Paprika left me with a huge case of the what the * * * * s ? Second viewing I understood way more and the slowness of the story all but vanished . This film requires more than one watch to fully wrap your head around it .
Whether hand drawn or computer animated , the artists who work in Japan whether on television shows or films are incredibly talented and Paprika is another example that people shouldn't just give up on hand-drawn animation too quickly . With bright visuals , a large mixture of colors and some impressive scenes such as the parade scenes , a chase or tons of butterflies ) , Paprika is easily one of Kon's more visually busy films ( though I prefer the painting-esque feel of Tokyo Godfathers ) . The transfer also brings the visuals justice as the clarity and the vibrancy gives this film a sight-for-sight-eyes look .
Paprika is kind of a hard film to recommend since opinions will vary depending on whether you got it and whether you just didn't care for it but also based on Kon's previous films , this film might not be the choice for a starter . For those looking to start on his films , I'd recommend Tokyo Godfathers and if you're a fan , work on this or the underrated Millennium Actress . But Paprika is definately worth a look but it's whether or not you'll love it that makes it a strange selection .
013 4 Paprika
Before I decided to watch this movie , I had heard a lot of hype about how good it would be . People were talking about this like it would be the best thing I have ever watched . It wasn't ; it wasn't even close . This movie has a decent plot and art style . However , you never really care about the characters or feel like they are ever in any real danger .
A new invention called the DC Mini allows one to explore others dreams . This was supposed to be a gateway into many new psychological treatments for people . Maybe one day they would fix depression , insanity , and more mental problems that people have suffered . The misuse of this product could destroy the world though . A terrorist is assumed to have gained control of a DC Mini and is taking over people's dreams .
Chiba has been entering people's dreams for a while under her second half , known as Paprika . Chiba is quiet , smart , and honestly a bit uptight . Paprika is her wild side that enters the dreams of others . A police officer is having problems in his dream that only Paprika can help him solve . He soon becomes an interesting character .
The art style in this one is very interesting . It is extremely bright and colorful at times , but still keeps a bunch of neutral tones in there . I wouldn't say that the style surpasses something like Spirited Away , but it is very enjoyable to see . There is some nudity , but it is subtle .
The story is extremely hard to follow . You need to follow what is going on with Chiba and the police officer , because it is basically two stories in one . Sometimes you will be extremely confused , but this movie does a good job of explaining what have happened . This dialogue is very hard to keep up with as well . They use enormous words to try and make the scientists sound smart , but instead it just leaves you confused most of the time . I like some of the twists toward the end of the movie .
This DVD comes with concept art , a couple making of extras , and a commentary track . You can also watch it in Japanese or English Voice Over . The English voice over is not bad though , so listening to it won't kill any emotion .
This is a nice anime DVD for anyone looking for a weird journey . The story is hard to follow , but is still interesting . The artwork is very pleasing on the eyes . I wouldn't suggest this if you are looking for a deep experience that will have you coming back for more .
014 4 This review is from :
Paprika ( DVD )
All i have to say about Paprika is what a wonderful movie it is . It doesn't take long after the movie starts for you to start gasping at how imaginative the movie is . With its focus on dreams the creators had no limit to what they could put in here and it shows . Buy it and watch it , then watch it again , and watch it a couple dozen times after that .
016 4 This review is from :
Paprika ( DVD )
Over the years , I have developed a love for good quality Anime . My sister saw this movie and LOVED it . So , with some excitement I bought it and watched it with my family . It is about device that allows Psychotherapists to enter into dreams with their patients to aide in understanding dreams and diagnosing psychological disorders . However , someone steals the device and starts to use it for evil .
The movie sounded interesting so I was surprised when , it left me with sort of a confused , disoriented , mind-screw sort of feeling in my head . This is because , through much of the movie you are never sure if you are in the dream world , or in reality . Coming from western society , where all our movie dream sequences are very well defined or well explained , this movie never really tells where you are . However , it was still possible for me to follow the plot mostly , even though the end was even more confusing still .
After watching the movie ( the art was beautiful ) , my sister helped explain it ( apparently her brain is pre-wired to understand these sorts of things . She tends to reject the western notion of categorizing and dividing which I think makes her more eastern in her perception and philosophy . ) Her explanations helped me understand it , but it did nothing to help our father understand or appreciate the film more .
Ultimately I find this to be an interesting film that is a must-watch if you are interested in experiencing a different way of perceiving reality . And if you have difficulty understanding it the first time , I recommend waiting a year , and watching it again . ( That tactic usually helps me understand things that are initially baffling to me ) . The film is very artistic and intriguing , so I highly recommend watching it .
Also , Recently we found an article that found that most Asians look exclusively at the eyes when looking for emotions . So , my whole family watched only the eyes of the characters in this movie and it helped immensely for understanding what the characters were thinking and made them seem a whole lot less stiff .
017 4 Over the years , I have developed a love for good quality Anime . My sister saw this movie and LOVED it . So , with some excitement I bought it and watched it with my family . It is about device that allows Psychotherapists to enter into dreams with their patients to aide in understanding dreams and diagnosing psychological disorders . However , someone steals the device and starts to use it for evil .
The movie sounded interesting so I was surprised when , it left me with sort of a confused , disoriented , mind-screw sort of feeling in my head . This is because , through much of the movie you are never sure if you are in the dream world , or in reality . Coming from western society , where all our movie dream sequences are very well defined or well explained , this movie never really tells where you are . However , it was still possible for me to follow the plot mostly , even though the end was even more confusing still .
After watching the movie ( the art was beautiful ) , my sister helped explain it ( apparently her brain is pre-wired to understand these sorts of things . She tends to reject the western notion of categorizing and dividing which I think makes her more eastern in her perception and philosophy . ) Her explanations helped me understand it , but it did nothing to help our father understand or appreciate the film more .
Ultimately I find this to be an interesting film that is a must-watch if you are interested in experiencing a different way of perceiving reality . And if you have difficulty understanding it the first time , I recommend waiting a year , and watching it again . ( That tactic usually helps me understand things that are initially baffling to me ) . The film is very artistic and intriguing , so I highly recommend watching it .
Also , Recently we found an article that found that most Asians look exclusively at the eyes when looking for emotions . So , my whole family watched only the eyes of the characters in this movie and it helped immensely for understanding what the characters were thinking and made them seem a whole lot less stiff .
018 4 Paprika / B000VWYJ68
* Spoilers *
When a psychology research team finds that their prototype DC Mini ( a computer device that lets a person enter another person's dreams for purposes of analytical observation and intercession ) has been stolen , their alarm that the device might be used for terrorism seems rapidly justified - members of the research team find their minds hijacked into ' waking dreams ' and are driven to frighteningly disconnected , sometimes suicidal behavior . One research member leaps over a dream railing . . . only to find that she has leapt over a corresponding railing in the real world - an apartment balcony railing several stories above ground .
The senior female member of the research team , a confident and somewhat chilly researcher name Atsuko , is particularly vulnerable to having her mind hijacked , as she has been using the prototype DC Mini to help her patients , even before the device was completed , and has been moonlighting as a spunky , exuberant girl named ' Paprika ' to do so . As Atsuko fights to protect her colleagues and patients , her mind and personality become increasingly split , to the point that Atsuko and Paprika separate into two distinct people . In order to save the city , and her loved ones , Atsuko / Paprika must reconcile their personality differences whilst navigating increasingly creepy and dangerous dreams .
By the same minds that brought us
Millennium Actress
and
Perfect Blue
, Paprika continues tradition by seamlessly ( and often confusingly ) blending reality and fantasy in such a way that the two are difficult to distinguish . Paprika is probably the most colorful and exotic of the trio , as Paprika turns into fairies , butterflies , and sphinxes in her quest , and must defeat frightening dolls and men with tree roots for legs . And I deeply appreciated the subversion of the usual gender roles here - there is a subtle under-text that many of the ' attractive ' or ' acceptable ' men in Atsuko's life are a little too obsessed with her and her alternate dream persona . Paprika may potential frustrate viewers , though , due to the rather confusing and unresolved nature of many of the plot threads . If you're just willing to enjoy the ride , however , Paprika will definitely be a pleasure for you .
Content warning : There is female nudity in this movie , as well as several scary fantasy situations . And , of course , watching people behave suicidally because they are unwillingly dream-walking is pretty disturbing in of itself .
019 4 This review is from :
Paprika ( DVD )
I love Satoshi Kon's work such as Paranoia Agent and Millennium actress . This movie was just another one of his great works ! The story was interesting and the way it was brought to life was absolutely beautiful . I really enjoyed the artwork , to me it's not your average anime , especially with a story like that . If you liked it then I suggest looking at the rest of his work . Careful though , sometimes his story lines are complicated , difficult to understand , and even boring to some . I don't recommend his work for kids .
020 4 I love Satoshi Kon's work such as Paranoia Agent and Millennium actress . This movie was just another one of his great works ! The story was interesting and the way it was brought to life was absolutely beautiful . I really enjoyed the artwork , to me it's not your average anime , especially with a story like that . If you liked it then I suggest looking at the rest of his work . Careful though , sometimes his story lines are complicated , difficult to understand , and even boring to some . I don't recommend his work for kids .
021 4 Awarded Best Film honors at the 2007 Anime Awards in Tokyo , Japan , Paprika tells of a group of well-meaning scientists who invent a machine capable of controlling people's dreams - only to discover that the dreams , in a retaliatory measure , have actually begun controlling them .
This cautionary tale about the abuse of science and technology may be confusing at times - not surprising given its near-constant merging of dreams and dreamlike states with reality - but the concept is an intriguing one , a tribute to the fertile imaginations that concocted it : writer Seishi Minakami and co-writer / director Satoshi Kan ( working off the novel by Yasutaka Tsutsui ) , along with a handful of first-rate animation artists who have brought it all to miraculous life on film . The execution is smart and visually compelling , filled with eerie scenes of abandoned amusement parks and bizarrely incongruous images ( refrigerators dancing , toads playing musical instruments etc . ) that effectively capture the bewildering and often discomfiting nature of dreams and nightmares .
In addition , the characters are well-rounded and complex , the storyline endlessly inventive and challenging , and the moral and ethical issues dealt with in a manner that is both thought-provoking and evenhanded .
Indeed , Paprika is so imaginative and visually stimulating that even non-anime fans may find themselves irresistibly drawn into the amazingly kaleidoscopic world it unfolds before them .
022 4 Most engaging , thought provoking animated film I've ever seen . What is a director ? A meglomaniac who subjects his audience to his private dreams projected large on the screen ? You will find yourself asking this and many more profound questions related to art , psychology , and entertainment after watching this .
What a soundtrack . If you can watch this on an HDTV with a surround sound system , it will be a film experience to rave about .
Also included : A great short documetary about the author of the novel and the director of the film working together . PAPRIKA transcends all concepts I had of anime . Final note , the English dubbing is superb .
023 4 This review is from :
Paprika ( DVD )
If you like movies that make you think then I would suggest this movie . With a plot that never stops moving and visually stunning sequences , this is a must have for anyone who likes anime . The DVD case was just a case , no little booklet that shows the chapters or has advertisements for other movies by the creator . The DVD also doesn't have any super special features on it , but the movie itself makes up for it . I would recommend this movie to anyone seeking something new and original to watch .
024 4 If you like movies that make you think then I would suggest this movie . With a plot that never stops moving and visually stunning sequences , this is a must have for anyone who likes anime . The DVD case was just a case , no little booklet that shows the chapters or has advertisements for other movies by the creator . The DVD also doesn't have any super special features on it , but the movie itself makes up for it . I would recommend this movie to anyone seeking something new and original to watch .
026 4 I cannot say that I follow anime very closely , but this animated film was a true find . The film idea is about dream machine that can record one's dreams which in turn can be viewed at the later time . But it turns out that dream can also be shared and merged together . In a world of ugly reality , it is the dreams that give us release . So the notion of the dream and reality transposes into ying / yang duality of the world itself : black / white , male / female , good / bad , children / adults . . . When worlds of these two absolutes become to merge together and the difference between the two becomes blurry - there is only one person that can put the world back in order - Paprika , an alter ego of the brilliant female scientist . Our hero is female and her beauty , intelligence and determination is the desire of every man that crosses her path . In another word , Paprika is every man's dream - she is strong and independent , she is humble and pragmatic , she is temperamental and yet professional . I liked the music , the action , the plot - this film is just hypnotizing from start to finish and it can be seen by both young and adult . Sophisticated adults will find multi-faceted meanings in this unforgetable animated movie .
027 4 I really love this movie . I knew I would ever since I saw the trailer in the theater , the visuals of which gave me chills - reality breaking like glass , businessmen happily diving off a balcony like synchronized swimmers diving into a pool , a man screaming as he explodes into a swarm of blue butterflies , and so on . But there are just as many graphic elements of this film that are stunning on their own , without the added element of bizarre , metaphorical goings on - the sunset over a city skyline , an abandoned amusement park at dusk , or two friends simply walking along a sidewalk .
Coupled with the breathtaking imagery is a storyline that rivals The Matrix in easily simplified inventiveness - what if we had the technology to look at each other's dreams ? What if we could actually go into them ? And what if using said technology frequently could send one into something like an allergic reaction , the body , instead of recreating the harmful physical effects of a jellyfish sting actually sent one into the dream state ? Now , what if the lines blurred in all of these scenarios to create one giant , involuntary collective dream ? Throw in people who want to use the technology for individual power versus those who see only its potential for doing good and you've got a great story .
But the characters are what makes Paprika appealing on that personal level , the level that draws in people who have never watched or enjoyed a Japanese , anime or animated film . They are all unique , fun to watch , endlessly interesting , incredibly distinct from one another and play together in a fantastic ensemble . There's the hilarious , obese , childlike genius who invented the dream machine ; his cold , facts-only co-worker ; the playful and seductive dream girl Paprika ; and so on , and so on . That they are all so entertaining on their own and together turns this from a great premise and story to a great film .
I will say this , however . All the jumping back and forth from dream to reality as well as all the simultaneous subplots can be a bit confusing on first viewing . The second time you watch it , however , I doubt it would be confusing at all for most . But that confusion is one of the elements that makes it all the more dreamlike , and the fact that it explains just enough to provide a path without pointing at how clever it is or over-explaining things makes it all the more appealing to the intelligent audience .
029 4 Like Perfect Blue , Paprika is a cross between fantasy and psychological drama . At the same time this is ground breaking Manga animation and the visuals blow away most of the competition . For many this could well be the best Manga they have ever seen and that is not an overstatement . There are scenes in this film that propel you into it headfirst plus it has lots of David Lynch style story strands .
The story is about a new device on the market , the DC Mini , which allows people to see their dreams and enter the dreams of others . It isn't long before people start to go insane and commit crimes . A hacker has penetrated the system and seeks to control the world by driving it mad .
Chiba , Tokita , and Shima try to uncover the deadly mastermind behind the chaos along with Detective Kogawa Toshimi and a fantasy character created in the dream world called Paprika . Soon dreams and the world start to merge as one and final Armageddon looms in the horizon where someone can actually dream a god into being .
032 4 I really did like the movie , but a few things still stuck out that impacted just how much . The character of Paprika was great , but I really didn't like the doctor at all . This complicated my feelings regarding the characters later on . Their relationship was a bit confusing as well , as they sometimes seem independent of each other , and sometimes otherwise ; and the nature of it is never really explained . Others don't seem to have this degree of independence between the two realms , and both are seen at the same time at points .
The storyline is otherwise very well done , though the ending was somewhat weak . The imagery and complex nature of it really was impressive though , and how well they blended reality and dream worked out great . Unfortunately I had the villains picked out well before they were revealed , as they were just too developed for characters with their minor roles at that point . The romance portion revealed near the end also felt out of place and forced , it just seemed pointless and came out of nowhere . Still , the story was told quite well and you never really feel lost , despite the odd nature of it .
On a technical level the film performs admirably . Few , if any , corners are cut and the animation is pretty much always fluid and organic . This is quite an achievement considering the extent of what needed to be animated , especially in the dream sequences and the parade . The music was unusual , but actually pretty catchy , and while I was raising an eyebrow at the start I was quite enjoying the tunes by the end .
The sub and dub are also both great , but I loved the voice for Paprika in the dub , so I have to admit a certain attachment to it . None of the voicework really seemed weak to me though for either .
All in all it was a great film that only suffered from a somewhat weak ending , confusion regarding the main character , and some out of place plot elements . Still at least worth a watch , or even a blind buy if it's the type of film you enjoy . I'd say overall I'd give it 4 1 / 4 stars , but sadly being that specific isn't an option .
034 4 This review is from :
Paprika [ Blu-ray ] ( Blu-ray )
I liked this from the moment I started watching . But I already had an idea of what to expect . I have most of his previous work on dvd .
Millennium Actress
is one of my favorites . So I'm familiar with seeing the direction of the characters and story come full circle . It's what I like about Satoshi Kon's work .
As much as I enjoyed this , I wouldn't go as far as to gush about it . I wouldn't recommend this to anyone and everyone like I would a
My Neighbor Totoro
. That's a charming , general audience , mass appeal anime kinda title . This isn't , and I don't think it pretends to be .
Being blunt , but not disrespectful here , I imagine there will be those that are gonna wanna clown this . Why ? Well , the imagery for one . Or , if you come into this cold , without any experience with anime , and miss what's Japanese about it . As an American and fan of anime for several years now , I can easily come up with bunk like What's with the X-Men lookin ' bald dude in the wheelchair ? Jeezus H Christmas , look at that guy , that is one freakin ' fat cartoon character That little old runt with the coke bottom bottle glasses looks like the guy from Pinocchio ! or better yet It was confusing , and all the dolls , toys an ' whatnot on parade looked silly , but dude , Paprika is hot . That kinda thing , it's to be expected . I just did it .
So yeah , my first look at Paprika is through my American eyes , and I see how mere cartoons here don't get much by way of respect . Let alone cartoons from a foreign country , complete with foreign language . And it's a shame . Not all of it is low budget junk , and besides , not all low budget junk is bad . But what's a fan to do ?
Anyway , bring on the negative , it won't change my mind . I like Paprika .
As with his previous movies
Tokyo Godfathers
,
Perfect Blue
, and
Satoshi Kon's Paranoia Agent : Complete Collection
, the character designs are never drawn pretty or handsome just for the sake of looking good . They all seem to match their respective roles . Take the character Kosaku Tokita , he's this super sized , no neck havin ' , barely fits in an elevator kinda guy . I think it's just a way to exaggerate his embodiment of a very childlike nature . This Child within , the playful , imaginative one . He's a big kid , and his inventive mentality has led to the development of a device that allows others to see the actual dreams within your mind . It's called the DC mini , and it's a tool for psychotherapy ( what these guys croon about in
Road to Ruin
: )
At the opposite end of this character spectrum , approximately one light year away , in a pretty sharp contrast with Kosaku Tokita , there's the female Doctor Atsuko Chiba . She's slim , petite , elegant , hair's tied in a bun , cool and reserved . Her dress and manner is intelligent , serious and professional . To me , she takes on the role of the Adult inside of us - the parent , the one that scolds , the one that nurtures . She's a responsible , level headed character .
There's just enough of the real , non dream world portrayed here to propel the mystery of what happens with Kosaku Tokita's invention . And I'm definitely satisfied with the conclusion . But again , I already had an idea of what to look forward to . The little nudity and violence that ' ' s here isn't for shock value or in place to appeal to a prurient nature . Not by any means . It's simply part of the story . Since these kinds of things aren't a common sight in animated titles that are shown on tv , here in the US , they may seem rather strange . This is probably what moves it to the R rating .
A few other things :
From beginning to end this is packed with numerous visual details . I was impressed with the overall look . It's very consistent . They made a great effort to blend everything - 2D , 3D CGI , and it shows . Instead of me going oh they used a computer here , that thing looks cheezy ( like the cars in this one , which happens to be a really good , entertaining story
Initial D : First Stage - The Complete First Season
) I found myself going whoa quite a few times .
The shimmering of the opening early sequence outfits is really noticeable on blu ray . And it looks cool . On the dvd , this effect didn't pop out at me like it does here . In the extras section they show and talk about it as well the other effects . To hear why they put things like this , and the reasoning behind their other choices is interesting and funny at times . I couldn't help but be reminded of
Cat Soup ( Liquid Art Limited Edition )
as I watched the circus tent scene . It's another visual treat with some dreamy sequences not for kids . If you're still looking for yet another visually trippin ' title that's open to some interpretation , you might want to rent / check out
Tekkon Kinkreet [ Blu-ray
] .
035 4 I liked this from the moment I started watching . But I already had an idea of what to expect . I have most of his previous work on dvd .
Millennium Actress
is one of my favorites . So I'm familiar with seeing the direction of the characters and story come full circle . It's what I like about Satoshi Kon's work .
As much as I enjoyed this , I wouldn't go as far as to gush about it . I wouldn't recommend this to anyone and everyone like I would a
My Neighbor Totoro
. That's a charming , general audience , mass appeal anime kinda title . This isn't , and I don't think it pretends to be .
Being blunt , but not disrespectful here , I imagine there will be those that are gonna wanna clown this . Why ? Well , the imagery for one . Or , if you come into this cold , without any experience with anime , and miss what's Japanese about it . As an American and fan of anime for several years now , I can easily come up with bunk like What's with the X-Men lookin ' bald dude in the wheelchair ? Jeezus H Christmas , look at that guy , that is one freakin ' fat cartoon character That little old runt with the coke bottom bottle glasses looks like the guy from Pinocchio ! or better yet It was confusing , and all the dolls , toys an ' whatnot on parade looked silly , but dude , Paprika is hot . That kinda thing , it's to be expected . I just did it .
So yeah , my first look at Paprika is through my American eyes , and I see how mere cartoons here don't get much by way of respect . Let alone cartoons from a foreign country , complete with foreign language . And it's a shame . Not all of it is low budget junk , and besides , not all low budget junk is bad . But what's a fan to do ?
Anyway , bring on the negative , it won't change my mind . I like Paprika .
As with his previous movies
Tokyo Godfathers
,
Perfect Blue
, and
Satoshi Kon's Paranoia Agent : Complete Collection
, the character designs are never drawn pretty or handsome just for the sake of looking good . They all seem to match their respective roles . Take the character Kosaku Tokita , he's this super sized , no neck havin ' , barely fits in an elevator kinda guy . I think it's just a way to exaggerate his embodiment of a very childlike nature . This Child within , the playful , imaginative one . He's a big kid , and his inventive mentality has led to the development of a device that allows others to see the actual dreams within your mind . It's called the DC mini , and it's a tool for psychotherapy ( what these guys croon about in
Road to Ruin
: )
At the opposite end of this character spectrum , approximately one light year away , in a pretty sharp contrast with Kosaku Tokita , there's the female Doctor Atsuko Chiba . She's slim , petite , elegant , hair's tied in a bun , cool and reserved . Her dress and manner is intelligent , serious and professional . To me , she takes on the role of the Adult inside of us - the parent , the one that scolds , the one that nurtures . She's a responsible , level headed character .
There's just enough of the real , non dream world portrayed here to propel the mystery of what happens with Kosaku Tokita's invention . And I'm definitely satisfied with the conclusion . But again , I already had an idea of what to look forward to . The little nudity and violence that ' ' s here isn't for shock value or in place to appeal to a prurient nature . Not by any means . It's simply part of the story . Since these kinds of things aren't a common sight in animated titles that are shown on tv , here in the US , they may seem rather strange . This is probably what moves it to the R rating .
A few other things :
From beginning to end this is packed with numerous visual details . I was impressed with the overall look . It's very consistent . They made a great effort to blend everything - 2D , 3D CGI , and it shows . Instead of me going oh they used a computer here , that thing looks cheezy ( like the cars in this one , which happens to be a really good , entertaining story
Initial D : First Stage - The Complete First Season
) I found myself going whoa quite a few times .
The shimmering of the opening early sequence outfits is really noticeable on blu ray . And it looks cool . On the dvd , this effect didn't pop out at me like it does here . In the extras section they show and talk about it as well the other effects . To hear why they put things like this , and the reasoning behind their other choices is interesting and funny at times . I couldn't help but be reminded of
Cat Soup ( Liquid Art Limited Edition )
as I watched the circus tent scene . It's another visual treat with some dreamy sequences not for kids . If you're still looking for yet another visually trippin ' title that's open to some interpretation , you might want to rent / check out
Tekkon Kinkreet [ Blu-ray
] .
036 4 Anime tends to be a sea of mediocrity with the occasional island of brilliance . For every Ghost in the Shell there are a hundred movies of much lower quality so it's a real joy when I come across something as fantastic as Paprika . It falls just short of the quality of Ghost in the Shell or a Miyazaki film but Paprika is darn good .
A group of researches have developed a device called the ` DC Mini ' that allows two people to share a dream . It can also record dreams and play them back for analysis . Three of the units are stolen and this is when things get weird . For the characters in the story , the line between dreams and reality begins to break down as the movie takes on kind of a Nightmare on Elm Street quality . Paprika is the name of the dream self of Dr . Cindy Robinson who works on DC Mini project and is trying to discover who is using the stolen DC Mini's to control the dreams of others .
I watched this movie with my fiancé and she was a little shocked at how adult the theme is and this is one of the main things that separates Anime from U.S . animation . Don't be fooled by the colorful , lighthearted cover of the DVD case . There isn't much blood ( if any ) and I don't remember any swearing but the theme is very mature and very eerie . It's sort of a who-done-it combined with a horror movie combined with The Matrix .
The animation is high quality and I love the surrealness of Paprika . It's not a movie that you'll soon forget . If you like Anime I don't see any reason not to pick this one up .
037 4 This review will be of the DVD only . I really enjoyed the film , but that's a matter of opinion , so you can read more informative and eloquent reviews by actual critics ( check rottentomatoes.com ) .
The movie itself is very high quality . It looked very crisp on my hdtv even though I don't have an upscaler ( using old Xbox as a dvd player ) . The audio is also high quality . I'm just using my tv's speakers , so I can't rate how the digital surround sound and what not is like .
As for the features , there are plenty of them and they are subtitled . The making of features are actually split up into several parts . The Making of Documentary follows the story from conception as a novel to its movie release . A very pleasant surprise was revealed here about the voice actors , but I won't spoil it for you . Satoshi Kon is a greater director to listen to , since he is very direct about his methods and is not pretentious like some other anime directors .
The Dream CG World and Art of Fantasy chapters are also very interesting , especially the CG section . The lead CG artists shows some of the techniques they used to blend CG and animated cells in depth , yet is easy to understand .
The only disappointing section was A Conversation About the Dream . This chapter is basically just a roundtable of the director , author , and lead voice actors discussing their favorite scenes and dreams . It's a bit long , at points awkward , and generally uninteresting . However , it's still a nice extra and deserves a brief viewing .
038 4 4.5 stars
I very much liked this movie , in most every way . The dubbing is exceptional , the music is effective and interesting , the story almost Philip K Dick quality , and the animation is simply phenomenal . WowFactor 10 for that .
This kind of dream / reality plot is tailor-made for anime , and Satoshi Kon hits it square out of the park . It may be a little long , but that's my only complaint . In general , this gem is thought-provoking , mind-bending and visually intense .
Easily one of the best animated films I've ever seen , Paprika clearly highlights how cheezy our Hollywood animation has become , especially the scripts .
This on the other hand is a cartoon for intelligent adults .
Check it out .
039 4 I enjoyed watching Paprika on Blu-Ray . The audio was almost top quality and the picture quality looked amazing during most of the movie . The storyline is excellent but a lot of people who are just getting into anime may think its too weird to watch but if you are into crazy anime movies such as Akira you might like this anime movie . At first it was hard for me to follow because the story was just going into all of this weird changes but towards the middle the movie you will more get what the movie is about . Plus on the Blu-Ray version you get so many audio options and plus a lot of subtitle options as well . Im not going to recommend this movie to just any anime fan just a good amount of anime fans but if you are going to pick this movie up get the Blu-Ray version if you have a Blu-Ray player or a PS3 .
040 4 I watched Paprika after watching the trailer on the net . I wasn't disappointed . This is a stunning work of Japanese anime ; I was mesmerized by the visuals but a bit lost in the plot until the ending explained everything .
Director Satoshi Kon is in top form here when he devises a world entirely outside of our own , but with complete internal logic . In his world , there exists a means of intervening in another's dreams , with the ostensible purpose of aiding the dreamer resolve his conflicts and emotions in his life .
The world view and stunning visuals are really not to be missed . And don't worry about trying to understand the plot as you are going along . It's not that hard to follow ( unlike , say , 2046 ) and it's all wrapped up in the end .
Worth buying and watching again for the sheer pleasure of the visuals .
Recommended
041 4 2007 has been a rather dismal year for films for me . Thankfully the few I have seen this year have all been gems . My personal favorite film released this year is the latest anime film from Satoshi Kon called PAPRIKA . The film is loosely based on the graphic novel by Yasutaka Tsutsui . The story centers around the theft of the DC Mini , a technological device that allows the medical community to enter the dreams of their patients to help with their psychological issues . When the DC Mini is stolen , chaos ensues when people's dreams begins to collide with reality no thanks to the thief .
Megumi Hayashibara is the voice of Paprika / Atsuko , the protangonist of the film . Paprika is the cyber alter ego of Dr . Atsuko . Paprika is young , 18 year old , free spirited young woman while Atsuko is more serious and overly cautious . Atsuko is assisted in the pursuit of the thief by Tokita , a morbidly obese man who is a genius yet lacks the maturity that Atsuko possesses ; and her boss Shima .
Just like the GHOST IN THE SHELL films , I had to view PAPRIKA a couple of more times to really grasp what really went on through the film . The animation was breathtaking . I loved the vibrant colors . The music was also fantastic . The music is an eclectic mix of techno / pop , jazz , and classical . The music and animation really made this film such a treat for me to watch . The writing was great too . I liked that the story touched on the influence of science and technology in our lives and how much should humans let them have on our lives .
The bonus dvd features are worth checking out . There are interviews with Tsutsui , Satoshi Kon , and the visual artist responsible for the gorgeous animation . Granted seeing PAPRIKA on dvd is nothing compared to having seen it in the theatre myself but it is still a movie worth watching .
042 4 I won't get into any plot summary of this film since there is plenty of that on this page already . I'll just say that this is an excellent film . Visually appealing and thought provoking .
If you like anime , animation or just some good mind bending entertainment then I recommend this .
My only complaint ( if you can call it that ) is that the movie was not quite the visually groundbreaking film I had been lead to believe it would be . Don't get me wrong , it's awesome but I was really picturing the directors series Paranoia Agent times 100 in terms of visual appeal . I was expecting to be slack jawed by it and instead I was left feeling like it was just really well done .
043 4 Paprika is a wonderfully imaginative , visually spectacular film from Japanese anime director Satoshi Kon , based on the novel by Yasutaka Tsutsui , who asked Kon to take on the project after abortive attempts to make a live action adaptation of his book . Hand-drawn animation is enhanced by CGI to create striking detail that would not be possible with conventional animation alone . The film alternates between real and dream worlds , each with distinct beauty and character , equally enticing , and striking as they begin to blend .
At the Foundation for Psychiatric Research , cool beauty Dr . Atsuko Chiba ( Megumi Hayashibara ) and childlike genius Dr . Tokita ( Toru Furuya ) are investigating a method of treating patients using a device called the DC Mini . The DC Mini enables users to enter one another's dreams , acting as a witness or a guide to a patient's subconscious . When 3 of the devices disappear , it becomes apparent that the culprits can invade the minds of others at will . They must be stopped before more minds are sucked into a bizarre collective dream . Dr . Chiba's vivacious alter-ego Paprika , the avatar through which she enters the dream world , is the only one who can follow the path of destruction to its source .
A detective story , a cautionary tale , and a visual delight , Paprika has something for everyone . It's not difficult to follow despite its multiple dream worlds , much credit due to director Satoshi Kon . If you're momentarily bored , just look around . Director of photography Michiya Kato and art director Nobutaka Ike have taken advantage of the opportunities that anime presents to create fully-realized backgrounds that are interesting enough to fill any lapses in attention . I thought the ending slightly weak , but that is a quibble . Paprika is the best-looking film I've seen in a long time . In Japanese with optional subtitles or dubbing .
The DVD ( Sony 2007 ) : There are 4 featurettes and an audio commentary . Tsutsui and Kon's Paprika ( 30 min ) interviews the author about the novel , director about the film , and follows the film through development : script , storyboards , voice recording . A Conversation about the Dream ( 29 min ) is a discussion between Tsutsui , Kon , and actors Hayashibara and Furuya about their favorite scenes , voice recording , and dreams . The Dream CG World ( 15 min ) interviews DP Kato about merging CGI with hand-drawn animation . The Art of Fantasy ( 12 min ) interviews art director Ike about using color to distinguish the real and dream worlds . The audio commentary is by director Satoshi Kon , composer Susumu Hirasawa , and associate producer Morishima . If you can't get the commentary to play , select Japanese audio on your remote , then select English subtitles . All bonus features have optional English subtitles . Subtitles and dubbing are available for the film in English , Spanish , or French .
044 4 A group of scientists invent a device that allows a therapist to enter into her patients ' dreams . The only problem is , three of the devices have been stolen , and , worse , the safety controls are off - - which means that the perpetrator can enter into anyone's consciousness and alter their perceptions . Very soon it becomes difficult to discern where dreams end and reality begins .
This blending of dream and reality is the basis for some of the richest works in the history of cinema - - that work not merely by mirroring our world but by distorting it into a world where we can be heroes , where the fear we feel in the night becomes a palpable presence , where ordinary people become alluring , fantastic , dangerous . Satoshi Kon is able to completely obliterate and play with these boundaries due to his remarkable eye for detail - - nothing is quite real but nothing is totally unreal and everything comes to life in this magical blend of film noir and fantasy . The characters are unique and interesting , far from stereotypical , and the basic device of the story allows the film to explore and contrast the inner with the outer life of each character in subtle ways .
I highly recommend this film for anyone who is a fan of the very best anime - - as in works by Hayao Miyazaki and the other artists at Studio Ghibli , or works like Akira or Ghost in the Shell , or other works by Satoshi Kon like Perfect Blue and Tokyo Godfathers - - but also for anyone who is open to having their eyes opened to new kinds of intelligent and creative and beautiful cinema that are very different than what you'd find in a local movieplex .
045 4 This review is from :
Paprika ( DVD )
Many fans of anime will point to this or that film as great because of an artist's style of drawing , interesting use of story or action-filled sequences , but in my opinion , Paprika has it all . Quite apart from several mind-bending scenes , the score of this film is unique and unusual . The story is a psychological thriller that requires the viewer to pay attention to both the characters and the unfolding events . It does have several sexual references in it , so it's not for the kiddies . It also presents a deeper message than one might expect , but not from Satoshi Kon who challenges his audiences again and again to re-visit their take on reality . You'll find yourself watching this more than once just to stay ahead of him . Now * that * is cool .
047 4 This review is from :
Paprika ( DVD )
Maybe something of a SPOILER at the end .
Paprika is fast paced and beautifully animated . At times it is a little difficult to understand , but if you pay attention you should be able to follow along . If you like the previous works of Satoshi Kon then I think you will like this .
Best I can describe is that there is a new technology that allows you to share dreams with other people , someone steals the technology , and dreams and reality start to merge . If you were able to follow along with movies like the Matrix this shouldn't be too difficult .
048 4 Maybe something of a SPOILER at the end .
Paprika is fast paced and beautifully animated . At times it is a little difficult to understand , but if you pay attention you should be able to follow along . If you like the previous works of Satoshi Kon then I think you will like this .
Best I can describe is that there is a new technology that allows you to share dreams with other people , someone steals the technology , and dreams and reality start to merge . If you were able to follow along with movies like the Matrix this shouldn't be too difficult .
049 4 This review is from :
Paprika ( DVD )
I saw this movie before I had even seen The Cell . Yes , there are some scenes which are similar to the movie starring Jennifer Lopez , but I really preferred director Satoshi Kon / Japanese novelist Yatsutaka Tsutsui's animated exploration of dream exploration . Like Lopez's character in The Cell , Japanese psychologist , Atsuko Chan , delves into the mind of psychotherapy patients using a device ( called the D.C . Mini . ) But Paprika does it more intelligently than The Cell , tackling ethical questions surrounding science , perceptions versus reality , psychology and the uses of technology to help or harm .
There are some really nice extras included with the movie - - including an interview with the Japanese voice cast ( which includes Satoshi Kon and Yatsutaka Tsutsui who voiced the bartender characters in the film ) . Kon admits that Paprika was the film he originally wanted to do , well before his other films like Millennium Actress and Perfect Blue .
Paprika's CGI-rendered scenes and animation was pure eye candy . The twists and turns of the plot will also keep you guessing . There is a Japanese and English voice track included with the movie as well .
The only problem I had was with the voice of Paprika and Atsuko Chan for the English version . The voicing for Paprika and the other characters were near perfect on the Japanese version , and almost a bit annoying on the English one . I usually prefer dubbing , but this was the first time I had to watch it subbed .
050 4 I saw this movie before I had even seen The Cell . Yes , there are some scenes which are similar to the movie starring Jennifer Lopez , but I really preferred director Satoshi Kon / Japanese novelist Yatsutaka Tsutsui's animated exploration of dream exploration . Like Lopez's character in The Cell , Japanese psychologist , Atsuko Chan , delves into the mind of psychotherapy patients using a device ( called the D.C . Mini . ) But Paprika does it more intelligently than The Cell , tackling ethical questions surrounding science , perceptions versus reality , psychology and the uses of technology to help or harm .
There are some really nice extras included with the movie - - including an interview with the Japanese voice cast ( which includes Satoshi Kon and Yatsutaka Tsutsui who voiced the bartender characters in the film ) . Kon admits that Paprika was the film he originally wanted to do , well before his other films like Millennium Actress and Perfect Blue .
Paprika's CGI-rendered scenes and animation was pure eye candy . The twists and turns of the plot will also keep you guessing . There is a Japanese and English voice track included with the movie as well .
The only problem I had was with the voice of Paprika and Atsuko Chan for the English version . The voicing for Paprika and the other characters were near perfect on the Japanese version , and almost a bit annoying on the English one . I usually prefer dubbing , but this was the first time I had to watch it subbed .
051 4 The film is set in the near future , and the film's plot revolves around a psychotherapy treatment called dream therapy . Dream therapy uses a device called a DC Mini , which allows the user to view other people's dreams . However , this technology has not been announced to the media . It turns out that three DC Mini prototypes have been stolen , and the protagonists of the story must find out where they went , as well as for clues to figure out what exactly is going on . As the film progresses , the narrative becomes more and more muddled between dreams and reality , to the point where the viewer is questioning whether what they are seeing on the screen is actually happening in the story , or is just someone's dream . However , this blurring of the lines really helps to tell the story that Satoshi Kon is wanting to convey in the film .
The DVD release of Paprika contains six special features . The first is the filmmakers ' commentary . Next is a thirty minute documentary titled , Tsutsui and Kon's Paprika . This documentary includes interviews with both Yasutaka Tsutsui and Satoshi Kon , and tells how the film was adapted from the novel . Next is a documentary titled , A Conversation About the ` Dream ' . It runs for thirty minutes , and it features two of the voice actors , Yasutaka Tsutsui , and Satoshi Kon . They talk about the dream world in the film . Next is a fifteen minute documentary titled , The Dream CG World ; this talks about the technological aspects of producing the film . The final documentary is titled , The Art of Fantasy , and it runs for about twelve minutes . The final extra is previews for other titles released by Sony Pictures Classics .
Paprika is a very well-made film . Not only does it have a compelling story to tell , but the story is illustrated with some wonderful animation . However , since Paprika is an R-rated film , I can only recommend it to anime viewers who are seventeen years of age and older .
052 4 This review is from :
Paprika ( DVD )
Warning , may contain spoilers ! ! !
So , to start off , I thought this was a wonderful film . The animation was superb and the story was marvelous . The soundtrack is fantastic and sets such a great mood to the whole film ( the Parade and Opening credits are the first to pop to mind ) , and it stands well on it's own . So to get this on the right foot , I want it to be clear that I in no way dislike this film and think very highly of it , I just think it could have been executed a little better .
I was torn between giving it a 5 star rating or a 4 star , but I had to make my decision lean towards giving it 4 ( although I would have made it 4 1 / 2 ) . I have a good reason for it , so please read on before giving this rating a thumbs down , and decide for yourself whether my reasoning was sound or extreme .
I gave the film 4 / 5 was because of problems I found in the scripting of it . How the DC-Mini began to spill into reality was not explained very well and the origin of Paprika and who she was was a bit ambiguous . The film also didn't develop the two baddies Osanai and Inui ( and how he came to be ) and their sexual relationship ( thus explaining some of the plot ) , and it hardly touched the romance between Tokita and Chiba . There is more , but I wish not to reveal too much of the plot .
It really missed the mark of the book , which I highly recommend . I am unsure if it is being sold in Amazon.com , but I was able to purchase it through Amazon.co.uk . It's a marvelous book , Tsutsui is a phenomenal writer and makes me wish I could read Japanese in order to get the full force of his skill .
At any rate , I realize that liberties must be taken with film adaptations of books , but I think the screenwriters could have done a better job in character development ( which I had thought before reading the novel that inspired the film ) . There is so much I could say about what they could have done differently , or even better , so I would say it'd be easier if you read the book and you'll fully understand what I mean ( a side note , if you're interested in Psychology or in any sort of Psychological / Philosophical field , you'll definitely enjoy reading it ) . Aside from that , it's a wonderfully fun film to watch filled with suspense and wonder and it's a movie that I'm proud to have in my collection of films .
As the Japanese may say , ' Sugoi ' !
053 4 Warning , may contain spoilers ! ! !
So , to start off , I thought this was a wonderful film . The animation was superb and the story was marvelous . The soundtrack is fantastic and sets such a great mood to the whole film ( the Parade and Opening credits are the first to pop to mind ) , and it stands well on it's own . So to get this on the right foot , I want it to be clear that I in no way dislike this film and think very highly of it , I just think it could have been executed a little better .
I was torn between giving it a 5 star rating or a 4 star , but I had to make my decision lean towards giving it 4 ( although I would have made it 4 1 / 2 ) . I have a good reason for it , so please read on before giving this rating a thumbs down , and decide for yourself whether my reasoning was sound or extreme .
I gave the film 4 / 5 was because of problems I found in the scripting of it . How the DC-Mini began to spill into reality was not explained very well and the origin of Paprika and who she was was a bit ambiguous . The film also didn't develop the two baddies Osanai and Inui ( and how he came to be ) and their sexual relationship ( thus explaining some of the plot ) , and it hardly touched the romance between Tokita and Chiba . There is more , but I wish not to reveal too much of the plot .
It really missed the mark of the book , which I highly recommend . I am unsure if it is being sold in Amazon.com , but I was able to purchase it through Amazon.co.uk . It's a marvelous book , Tsutsui is a phenomenal writer and makes me wish I could read Japanese in order to get the full force of his skill .
At any rate , I realize that liberties must be taken with film adaptations of books , but I think the screenwriters could have done a better job in character development ( which I had thought before reading the novel that inspired the film ) . There is so much I could say about what they could have done differently , or even better , so I would say it'd be easier if you read the book and you'll fully understand what I mean ( a side note , if you're interested in Psychology or in any sort of Psychological / Philosophical field , you'll definitely enjoy reading it ) . Aside from that , it's a wonderfully fun film to watch filled with suspense and wonder and it's a movie that I'm proud to have in my collection of films .
As the Japanese may say , ' Sugoi ' !
055 4 [ . . . ] I rarely buy DVD anymore . However , this is a film worth buying and keeping on your shelf so you could watch it over and over . It's a feast to the eyes . The flood of imagery !
057 4 The beauty of Satoshi Kon's movies is that it's a waste of time trying to play chess with the story and attempt to beat it to the end . Clever twists are there , but aren't the reward of careful viewership . Instead he celebrates the process of unpredictiablity over the product , which is good news if you're willing to just let go and be lead by the nose through his stories . Transitions from image to reality are usually subtle in his films . With Paprika , he goes all out and dunks you into a dream world one minute and yanks you out the minute after . It's the best whiplash you'll ever have . And like so many of his films , Paprika is one that stays with you long after the movie is over .
058 4 This was a great movie . I am a big anime fan but not usually too big on this style of animation or this type of anime .
The premise of the movie is that a device has been developed that can be used to give people therapy through their dreams ( think the movie The Cell ) . When one of these devices gets stolen suddenly strange things start happening . What happens if a dream becomes a virus and spreads ? Suddenly everyone thinks their dreams are reality and their dreams become reality ( a bit of the Matrix here ) .
This is something that could only be done with animation . The movie can get a tad bit confusing at times as to what is real reality and what is the dream reality . Towards the end of the movie it is impossible to distinguish between the two ; but that's really the point .
The animation was very good , although not my favorite style . The style was a bit too bright and childlike for what I normally like . The writing was very well done as was the storyline .
The movie kept you hanging on until the end , holding your breath as to what would happen .
The really special thing about this movie is the greater question it asks the watchers . If everyone believes something is reality does that make it real ? If you are the only person who knows that the current reality isn't real what does that make you ?
This was an entertaining and thought provoking movie .
059 4 Rarely do you see a movie that just takes you breath away . I was left sitting in my living room just sitting in the dark after the credits rolled . It must have been 5 min . where I was just staring off into space when finaly I said WOW ! ! . Truly amazing . Great story , amazing animation , superb sound track . As soon as the opening title rolled I knew this was something special . Buy it ! Share it ! Watch it over and over !
060 4 This has got to be the most visually stunning anime I have ever seen . I used to think that of Tokyo Godfathers so it's no surprise that the same art director for that movie also worked on Paprika . I watched the bonus feature with him and he said If you get bored with the story you can always admire the backgrounds . And indeed I did . Sadly , I was bored with much for the story . But his visuals are enough for me to give this movie a 5 out of 5 . He's just a brilliant artist .
The story is a little confusing , a little slow , and a little long . Which is sad because of all the hard work that went into the animation . Still , it'll be the best looking rental you've ever seen .
061 4 This review is from :
Paprika ( DVD )
Paprika is a marvel !
A gorgeous anime that pushes the envelope of cartoon writing and design to a very sophisticated level , Paprika is both thrilling and heartwarming from the get go to its satisfying conclusion .
Though employing many standard anime conventions , director Satoshi Kon reimagines these in frames overloaded with a rich detail that escapes description and invites repeated examinations , in 2 weeks I've watched Paprika 4 times .
The basic plotline is an interesting one that I imagine Hollywood will purloin eventually . . .
The English language actors are not identified , that I could determine , but I believe I detected Leonard Nimoy as a significant character voice .
I recommend this terrific film and its soundtrack to your attention .
062 4 Paprika is a marvel !
A gorgeous anime that pushes the envelope of cartoon writing and design to a very sophisticated level , Paprika is both thrilling and heartwarming from the get go to its satisfying conclusion .
Though employing many standard anime conventions , director Satoshi Kon reimagines these in frames overloaded with a rich detail that escapes description and invites repeated examinations , in 2 weeks I've watched Paprika 4 times .
The basic plotline is an interesting one that I imagine Hollywood will purloin eventually . . .
The English language actors are not identified , that I could determine , but I believe I detected Leonard Nimoy as a significant character voice .
I recommend this terrific film and its soundtrack to your attention .
063 4 I was able to watch the beginning of this film but I couldn't finish the rest and I finally got to see it . I can only say that this film is a crazy wild ride . Very hard to describe but you'll be amazed if you like sci-fi films . I agree that Hollywood would never make such a daring film , not because of the money , but because of the creativity needed to create something like this . It's weird . . . but I guess it's like a dream .
065 4 This review is from :
Paprika [ Blu-ray ] ( Blu-ray )
I am mostly familiar with the works of Hayao Miyazaki and this was quite a departure from that . I was worried that I might not like it , however just a few moments into the beginning titles with it's imaginative imagery and great music that makes you want to hear it again , I was hooked . Paprika is a full story with shades of love , humor , drama , etc . The writers should be commended for the levels of humanity they have created in the characters that make you care about what is happening to them . The imagery is wonderful it stays in your mind . I still smile when I think of the alligators in the parade ! This is definitely worth seeing .
066 4 I am mostly familiar with the works of Hayao Miyazaki and this was quite a departure from that . I was worried that I might not like it , however just a few moments into the beginning titles with it's imaginative imagery and great music that makes you want to hear it again , I was hooked . Paprika is a full story with shades of love , humor , drama , etc . The writers should be commended for the levels of humanity they have created in the characters that make you care about what is happening to them . The imagery is wonderful it stays in your mind . I still smile when I think of the alligators in the parade ! This is definitely worth seeing .
067 4 The soundtrack definitely helped shape alot of my mood during the film . Good job there , as it was nice music - - - esp . the pop tune . As the story went , it was full of unpredictable scenes ( anticipation is good in great movies ) , making me always wonder what's next . Some of the really strange scenes that had a sexual nature to them caught me a bit off guard , but it's funny ' cuz I also got a touch of pleasure out of it . That sort of thing can interest me .
Fun & twisted isn't exactly a favorite but I did enjoy it . Some spots did touch that nerve where you say to yourself , ' I'm not sure I'll watch that [ for the nature of it ] . . . '
As far as Dr . Chiba and Paprika . . . ohhh . . . ( starts to fantasize )
069 4 I saw Paprika over the holidays ( Thanksgiving , Christmas , New Years ) and its use of themes immediately reminded me of an odd by captivating anime , Paranoia Agent . Though not as dark as PA , Paprika was funny and held my attention . The general synopsis is that a new device has been invented that allows an individual to travel through dreams . Paprika uses the device to help people with their psychological issues . However , it is soon believed that the device has been stolen by a coworker and is creating problems in the real world . Yes , I know vague and quite general , I don't like giving the story away .
070 4 I just have to say , the night after i watched this movie , i had the craziest dream i have ever had ( and remembered ) .
The movie is subtitled , so if that kills a movie for you then go to a different movie page , get something else . However , if you know how to read and like anime then you owe it to yourself to watch this movie . The movie is defiantly a strange one , as i mentioned before it caused me to have the weirdest dream that i have ever had . I don't know why this has porn as a tag , it had very little nudity or even sexual situations . An R rating was a little harsh if you ask me , but i guess if you show a [ . . . ] for more than five seconds it gives you an auto r ( i don't know if that is true or not ) .
If you want movies to be rational or logical then this is not for you . The story is about a device that can record dreams , and when someone steals the devices they gain control of people's minds , meshing the dreams with reality . And i have no idea how Paprika works ; she is like a split personality of one of the people behind the device . It also follows a detective who is working on some psychological issues of his own , and as someone who used the dream recorder to help himself , he works with the team of scientists to find the person that stole the devices . thats a summary of the story without giving much up .
I think it would be a good movie to discuss with your friends about , like Donnie Darko .
071 4 This review is from :
Paprika ( DVD )
I enjoyed Satoshi Kon's other Animated film Tokyo God Fathers and was highly anticipating the english dubbed version of Paprika . I was surprised and delighted with the new film but found it to be a bit over whelming at times.I enjoy watching a story being told in Anime more and more these days over live action.Satoshi Kon never disappoints and is establishing a legacy with his films right up there with the Master Hayao Miyazaki.If you haven't seen his work before I highly recommend Tokyo God Fathers and Paprika . So get you loved ones on the sofa , get the pop corn a pop-in and get ready for a great ride with lots of laughs and surprises . . .
075 4 Great Animation , Kon's best work . . . visually . The story on the other hand only serves as an excuse to keep this animation rollercoaster going . However , this film looks so good it never gets slowed down by the story . I think Millenium Actress tells a better story but Paprika is a three course meal for your eyes .
076 4 Dr . Atsuko Chiba , enters the dream world under her exotic alter-ego , code name PAPRIKA , in an attempt to discover who is behind the plot to undermine the new invention.In the near future , a revolutionary new psychotherapy treatment called PT has been invented . Through a device called the DC Mini it is able to act as a dream detective to enter into people's dreams and explore their unconscious thoughts . Before the government can pass a bill authorizing the use of such advanced psychiatric technology , one of the prototypes is stolen , sending the research facility into an uproar . In the wrong hands , the potential misuse of the device could be devastating , allowing the user to completely annihilate a dreamer's personality while they are asleep . This is the best film by Satoshi Kon yet it brings an unusual sense and style as all Satoshi Kon's films If you liked Tokyo Godfather , Perfect Blue you'll like Papriks and on Blue-Ray Disc SWEEET
078 4 I'm a fan of Miyazaki Hayao , so I went to this movie in the theater thinking it would be along those lines and had my head blown away . There are parts of this movie the first time you see it , you'll go what ? ? ? and then it becomes clear . Well as clear as any Fellini movie ever was . It looks like a collaboration from Walt Disney ( remember this is the guy who gave us dancing pink elephants in Dumbo ) and Fellini who had random freaks just show up in his movies which become like car wrecks , you don't want to watch but you can't turn away . This movie is easier to watch somehow the animation softens the weirdness .
Fortunately the theme music has been released for free so while I can't watch the movie at work I can have an endless loop of the music play in my headphones .
This movie does deserve it's R rating due to the sexuality and some gun violence which is repeated , of some of the scenes , but most older teens can handle it . Well maybe those closer to 17 than say 15 . This is not family night movie material in my house . The older teens can watch it with their older teen friends though .
Still it is an example of the best of animation in that there is no reason to limit oneself to an imitation of the world we live in . Rather let your mind go and see where it takes you , same as your dreams do , no limits , no gravity .
Still though if you'd like to open your mind and see something unlike what comes from Hollywood , rent this ( before you buy it . )
079 4 What is reality ? How do we know what we see is real ? You cant realy prove that anything is real ? Paprika adresses this subject in an interesting way . This movie made me think and keeped me intertained at the same time . I would recomend it to intellectual anime fans . Someone who would like this would also like Perfect Blue .
081 4 I am so glad I watched this anime . It's fantastic ! Wonderful imagery , great character design , powerful storytelling . It's a meditation on dreams with heart . so don't expect a super complex story or a fast paced story or a story that goes into deep technological explanation . The themes are quite deep and resonating . It'll make you sit back after it's over and just ponder for a moment , which is a good thing .
