Paprika
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Movie Reviews of Paprika
Movie Review: Amazing and Thought Provoking
Summary: 5 Stars
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?
This film is weird, it is unusual, and it's creatively original. 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.
Movie Review: A mindbender but a grower
Summary: 5 Stars
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.
Movie Review: Paprika - An Amazing Work of Imaginative Sci-Fi Anime!!! You Must See This!
Summary: 5 Stars
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!!!
Movie Review: So Much to Look At, and an Intriguing Story Too.
Summary: 5 Stars
"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.
Movie Review: Lovely ride...but don't expect many answers.
Summary: 5 Stars
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.
~ Ana Mardoll