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Akira

1988

Katsuhiro Ōtomo

Animation

7.6

59,262

Animation. Sci-Fi. Action. Thriller Neo-Tokyo has risen from the ashes of World War III to become a dark and dangerous megalopolis infested with gangs and terrorists. The government seethes with corruption and only maintains a token control over the powerful military that prevents total chaos and hides the secrets of the past. Childhood friends Tetsuo and Kaneda plunge into Neo-Tokyo's darkest secret when their motorcycle gang encounters a military operation to retrieve ... [+]

	Author	Review
United States	Richard Harrington The Washington Post	"The most expensive animated feature ever made in Japan... and it's easily the most impressive, as well."	POS
United States	Janet Maslin The New York Times	"A phenomenal work of animation with all the hallmarks of an instant cult classic"	POS
United States	Jonathan Rosenbaum Chicago Reader	"Interminable (...) The equivalent of the dullest of all possible computer games"	NEG
United States	Michael Atkinson Village Voice	"Easily the most breathtaking and kinetic anime ever made."	POS
United Kingdom	Geoff Andrew Time Out	"An impressive achievement, often suggesting a weird expressionist blend of '2001', 'The Warriors', 'Blade Runner' and 'Forbidden Planet'."	POS
United States	Variety	"A remarkable technical achievement in every respect"	POS
United Kingdom	Phelim O'Neill The Guardian	"[It] is as bold and brilliant as ever (...) Style and substance run neck and neck in this thrilling, bold landmark film that just refuses to become dated (…) Rating: ★★★★★ (out of 5)"	POS
United States	Charles Solomon Los Angeles Times	"A compendium of the worst cliches of Japanese animation"	NEG
United Kingdom	Kim Newman Empire	"Otomo's vision has been endlessly copied and 'homaged' by subsequent filmmakers (…) Rating: ★★★★ (out of 5)"	POS
United States	Tasha Robinson AV Club	"A landmark production that can be watched with equal satisfaction as a metaphorical psychodrama or as a sheer visual spectacular."	POS

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