Wings of Honneamise (Blu-ray/DVD) [Blu-ray]
![Wings of Honneamise (Blu-ray/DVD) [Blu-ray]](/images/Wings-of-Honneamise-Blu-ray-DVD-Blu-ray-B000TKCNWY-M.jpg)
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DVD Cover Information Actor: Reo Morimoto; Mitsuki Yayoi Director: Hiroyuki Yamaga; Takami Akal; Shinji Higuchi & Shoichi Masuo DVD: Region Code 1 Audio: English (Subtitled); Japanese (Subtitled); English (Original Language); Japanese (Original Language); English (Dubbed); Japanese (Dubbed) Format: Anamorphic, Animated, Color, Dolby, Dubbed, NTSC, Subtitled, Widescreen Picture Format: 1.77:1 Running Time: 120 minutes DVD Release Date: 2007-09-11 Audience Rating: Unrated Studio: GENEON [PIONEER] |
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Movie Reviews of Wings of Honneamise (Blu-ray/DVD) [Blu-ray]
Movie Review: Brilliant, intelligent, and dazzling for Anime fans, questionable for others.
Summary: 3 Stars
At the time, this debut feature from animation studio Gainax was the most expensive animated feature from Japan, with a budget of eight million yen (nowadays that might not seem like such a big deal, but this is 1987 we are talking about). Yet while the movie earned critical raves it was a stunning commercial disaster. It was not until approximately seven years later that WINGS OF HONNEAMISE finally turned a profit. Today it is hailed among Anime fans as one of the all-time masterpieces of the genre.
Scripted and directed by 24-year-old Hiroyuki Yamaga, WINGS OF HONNEAMISE, is set in a bizarre Japanese/American hybrid world with futuristic technology but where the concept of space travel seems laughable. The protagonist is Shirotsugh Lhadatt, an unmotivated cadet of the often-ridiculed (and constantly threatened) Royal Space Force. When he starts a relationship with a religious woman named Riquinni, Shiro becomes inspired, and, before long, volunteers to be the first man into space.
It's obvious that a lot of effort went into the animation of this movie, and the results show. For a 1987 production, WINGS OF HONNEAMISE showcases some intricately detailed backgrounds that fully realize the strange world of our protagonists. The animation itself, though not as smooth as, say, a traditional Disney cartoon or AKIRA, neither as beautiful as a Studio Ghibli film is still quite impressive. And even though the characters don't have the huge eyes or round faces of most Anime leads, they're visibly expressive. In addition to which, the camera work is amazing; watching this movie one has the feeling that they are witnessing a live-action drama rather than a cartoon.
That said, WINGS OF HONNEAMISE's entertainment value might not be for everyone. Fans weaned on fast-moving fare may be put off by HONNEAMISE's languid pace. There are only two major action set pieces in the movie, and they happen about three-quarters of the way through and near the end, respectively. But mostly the movie concentrates on character development and tackles political issues. While this gives the movie a depth of complexity in its plot, there are times when the structure of the story feels unfocused. A subplot involving a war with a rival country for the rocket, in particular, seems superfluous.
Then there's the relationship between Shiro and Riquinni. Mostly it develops well through the movie (with occasional chuckles coming from Shiro's confusion about whether his interactions with Riquinni are platonic or romantic); but why did the script have to include a disturbing rape attempt? It makes even less sense in the following scene when Shiro, attempting to apologize, is instead told by Riquinni to forgive *her* for smashing a jar on his head! This controversial sequence is meant to come across as a turning point, but even still, it provides major discomfort to the audience and makes the lead character less sympathetic.
One other scene that feels disjointed from the rest of the movie takes place toward the end, where, after Shiro is finally in space, we are suddenly treated to what appears to be a gradual progression of humanity. Taken on its own, this approximately four minute long sequence showcases some imaginative animation styles; this is the most artfully done scene in the movie, rendered in charcoal-like colors and set to a trippy yet surreal score (courtesy of Oscar-winner Ryuichi Sakamoto). On the flip side, this sequence interrupts (and delays) the denouement of the film, and is awkwardly transitioned into.
In fact the whole strangeness of WINGS OF HONNEAMISE might be too off-putting to non-Anime fans; for an exercise in creativity and imagination, this movie excels. But the confused plot twists in this otherwise ambitious and brilliant tale may be too problematic to recommend it to viewers expecting a well-structured story. It also clocks in at two hours, and some of that running time is wasted in sequences where nothing much happens.
It should be noted, too, that this is not a movie for young children. In addition to that aforementioned rape attempt scene, there is a bloody battle scene between Shiro and an enemy spy, and a climax that involves an attack on ground and air (while the Royal Space Force struggles to launch the spaceship). While these sequences have a lot more energy than the low-key tone of the picture, both are considerably violent. To be fair, though, they're also not as gruesome or sickening as in other Anime features.
The movie is still worth watching, however, because of the detailed animation and ambitious concept. Not many animated features in America have attempted such a story like this, and so for that, WINGS OF HONNEAMISE does stand out. Yet the movie probably plays better to Anime fans than it may to non-fans.
The American release of this film is another matter. In 1994, MANGA acquired the rights to HONNEAMISE, providing an adequately translated and fairly well done English version, but unfortunately cheapened its DVD release with a murky visual transfer. Having seen that and the new release by Bandai, I can safely say the new Bandai-Visual DVD is the one to get in terms of picture clarity; the video quality there is breathtaking, beautiful and detailed. Less commendable, however, is the omission of priceless extras from the MANGA DVD release, which included a commentary by director Yamaga, a picture gallery set to the entire unadulterated score by Sakamoto, and a deleted scene. The only extras here are the Japanese trailer and a short film that prompted the making of this film (not to mention a booklet of essays). That it is also ridiculously overpriced (due to including the DVD in both the HD and BluRay editions rather than releasing it separately) is equally problematic. So the question is, which version should you purchase? It ultimately depends on the customer as well as the viewer to get the most out of both this movie and either of its two editions.