Paprika
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Movie Reviews of Paprika
Movie Review: Add a little Paprika
Summary: 5 Stars
Based on the story by Yasutaka Tsutsui(which weirdly enough was first printed in a French women's magazine), was turned into the late Satoshi Kon's most celebrated production. Even though it was done in 2006, this was the last full-length animated movie he completed before he passed away, but its influence has been far reaching, including allegedly Christopher Nolan's thriller, Inception.
Set in the not to distant future, therapists are using a new invention called the DC Mini to monitor patients' dreams, and sometimes actually enter their subconscious. Atsuko is an all-business psychiatrist on this project, and goes into people's dreams in her secret identity, the energetic Paprika. Paprika is currently helping out the troubled police detective Toshimi with his anxiety complex, either through his dreams or a website which can somehow link patients to Paprika even without being hooked up to the DC Mini. However, some of the DC Minis are now missing, and its apparent that those working on it have become susceptible to it as they are now having their own dreams taken over causing them to go temporarily insane, and in some cases suicidal. The creator of the DC Mini is Tokita, an obscenely obese fanboy who you can't believe actually made it into some of the places the movie shows him in, like an elevator or compact car. He has a serious chubby for Atsuko though. It's revealed that the corrupt Chairman of the hospital is behind the whole scheme, along with his perverse partner Osanai. The major downside is that for some reason dreams and reality have now been put into a big margarita mix, and Paprika pulls a deus ex machina by completely sucking up the Chairman. The event really did happen as the city is damaged from the events filled with giant robots and people turning into walking appliances. The most reality-bending aspect of the whole movie is at the end when Atsuko plans to marry Tokita, even though how the hell they could possibly have sex on their honeymoon defies all anime physics.
This is one of the most mind-warping anime films ever made, it pulls some convincing fusion of the real world and dreams in ways Satoshi Kon did in Paranoia Agent, but Paprika takes it to levels only seen in productions like Spirited Away and Eternal Sunshine of the Spotless Mind. There's some great use of both generic and computer animation, although its got some serious mature elements to it which is definately not for kids. Its one of the few anime movies to be released in the States under an R rating. But if you have no problem with its more adult nature, then its definately one of the few anime acid trips that ultimately pays off.
Movie Review: Fantastic movie
Summary: 5 Stars
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.
Movie Review: Dream Logic
Summary: 5 Stars
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.
Movie Review: The Completely Delightful Paprika Runs Away with the Movie
Summary: 5 Stars
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.
Movie Review: WONDERFULLY IMAGINATIVE + GORGEOUS + BIZARRE = INSANITY, I LOVE IT! 9.25 OUT OF 10
Summary: 5 Stars
Paprika is a wonderful animated film that is perfect for people who like crazy movies, but it might be too crazy for some. I love this movie because of the wonderful animation, catchy music, unique storyline, and it's one of the most bizarre movies I've ever watched.
WHAT IT'S ABOUT: Scientists have invented a device called the DC Mini that can allow them to see and examine the dreams of a subject through dream therapy. When the device is stolen by dream terrorists it is up to Atsuko Chiba, her other half Paprika the woman who examines the dreams, Detective Konakowa, and Dr. Tokita to stop it before the terrorists begin to mess with people's dreams and make them insane in this insanely crazy and amazing sci-fi fantasy adventure beyond your wildest imagination.
STORY- SCORE: 9 OUT OF 10- This film has a unique story which has never really been thought of before, but the storyline and characters are difficult to understand the first few times you watch it because of how crazy this film really is.
MUSIC- SCORE: 9.5 OUT OF 10- I really don't know why I'm attracted to the music so much, it's just really catchy and feels like the music my brain has been craving something new, not yodeling music sequences though, those are lowest points of the amazing music.
ANIMATION- SCORE: 9 OUT OF 10: Not the most impressive animated movie ever, but that doesn't mean it isn't gorgeous and rather pretty compared to other animated films I've watched.
ENTERTAINMENT- SCORE: 9.25 OUT OF 10- This film is rather good, and highly entertaining and incredibly unique. You're not going to find anything like it anywhere. Not everyone who watches it will enjoy it though.
OVERALL: Highly recommendable to people looking for something new and different from the usual garbage of films these days (Will there ever be anything new or inventive from Hollywood again?).
THE GOOD: A high-quality film of gorgeous animation and design, it's beyond anything your imagination can think of, and it's completely insane in a very good way.
THE BAD: Not everyone will enjoy this film because it's really crazy, and it's a bit slow and hard to understand at first.