Noir - Shades of Darkness (Vol. 1)
by Matt Greenfield, Kôichi Mashimo
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DVD Cover Information
Actor: Christine M. Auten, Jason Douglas (IV), Mandy Clark, Melinda DeKay, Victor CarsrudDirector: Kôichi Mashimo, Matt Greenfield
Brand: ADV Films
DVD: Region Code 1
Audio: English (Unknown); Japanese (Unknown); English (Subtitled); English (Original Language); Japanese (Original Language)
Format: Animated, Color, DVD, NTSC, Widescreen
Picture Format: 1.78:1
Running Time: 125 minutes
DVD Release Date: 2003-02-18
Audience Rating: Unrated
Studio: Adv Films
Movie Reviews of Noir - Shades of Darkness (Vol. 1)
Movie Review: Noir - AIC's Latest and Greatest
Summary: 5 Stars
The people who brought you Bubblegum Crisis, Tenchi Muyo, El Hazard, Dual, and Photon are back, and this time they've created something truly spectacular. Although the character designs for this series are somewhat derivitive (Mirelle looks like a blonde Sylia/Ifurita/Mitski Rara) the animation itself is crisp, fluid, and beautiful all around. The settings are stunning; be it Paris, Corsica, or a little town on the French/Spanish border the settings are vivid, capturing all the flare of a European city. The background music for Noir is a brilliant mixture of 'local sound' and fast paced J-Pop. Several of the songs are sung in latin, a language with plot-related significance to the series. And, although I have not yet heard the English dub, the Japanese voice acting is superb. But, above all of that stands the most sterling, indepth plot AIC has ever given us. Even the classics like Gall Force, El Hazard, and Bubblegum Crisis have to stand aside. Noir features the story of two assassins, one seeking vengence for her family's murder and the other searching for her lost identity. The pair, Mirelle and Kirika (respectively) team up to form a team called 'Noir'. However, by doing so they attract the attention of a powerful, mysterious group. And, as if that wasn't enough, they must also contend with a mysterious woman who claims to be the 'True Noir'.
Mirelle and Kirika must go on a 'pilgrimage to the past', each coming to terms with the half-forgotten events of ten years previous.
Beyond the mind-bending mystery, the plot also focuses on the relationship between the two women. Though they begin their partnership with some degree of reluctance, the pair soon grow on one another. How their friendship stands the test of time, however...
Although this series is about a pair of assassins, there is almost no blood shown at any time. The high body-count of each episode would quickly desensitize the viewer to the site of blood. Instead, it is only featured when one of the two main characters is injured, and even then it is reserved for only a few special scenes. This is purely artistic, and greatly enhances the experience of the story. If, however, you're looking for lots of gore, this series probably isn't for you.
Beautiful animation, wonderful music, and a brilliant, gripping plotline make Noir one of the best animated television series ever made. It is a shimmering gem atop many other greats by AIC, and can stand beside Neon Genesis Evangelion, Akira, and Revolutionary Girl Utena as one of the best Anime has to offer. I highly recomend Noir if you've enjoyed any of the aforementioned series, and still recomend it otherwise.
Cheers!
Summary of Noir - Shades of Darkness (Vol. 1)
Studio: Adv Films Release Date: 02/18/2003 Run time: 125 minutes
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