I B
Jin-Roh: The Wolf Brigade is part of Mamoru Oshii's ongoing preoccupation with "the beast that hides in the human heart." It gives a fascinating insight into the man whose directing career went from romantic comedies to the cyber-noir of Ghost In The Shell (1995). The film's design is superb, with some breathtakingly composed scenes, and the traditional cel animation holds up well. The setting, an alternative Japan in the late 1950s, reeling from the aftermath of war, is not fully explored, and we never find out exactly what the rioters and the sect want. Hajime Mizoguchi's fine score tips this dark, compelling, yet flawed film into the 'must-see' category. The tense action is ably helmed by director Hiroyuki Okiura, an animator who had previously worked with Oshii on Patlabor 2 (1993) and who is known for his attention to detail. This is one of those rare anime in which Japanese characters actually look Japanese.
Tweekums
Set in an alternate world Japan isn't doing so well there is civil unrest and paramilitary police are hunting down the terrorist group known as The Sect. After a riot a group of terrorists is gunned down and a girl who had been transporting bombs for them is cornered by one of the police, Kazuki Fuse, however he does not shoot her and she detonates her bomb. He survives due to his body armour but appears to have been effected by the incident.When he goes to her grave he meets another girl who looks very similar to the dead girl; she tells him that she was her sister. As time passes the two of them become friends. Another police group plan to use Fuse's relationship to weaken to position of the paramilitary police.The story is an obvious reference to the tale of "Little Red Riding Hood" with the girl wearing a red hood and mention of a secret Wolf Brigade. The fairly tale is recited throughout the film although not the most well known version of the tale so the ending comes as a bit of a surprise. The animation is top rate and of a more realistic style than most anime so never feels even slightly "cartoony" so even people who usually aren't keen on animation can enjoy this for what it is: a taut thriller where nobody is quite what they seem.
mrjay78
I gave it an 8 for two good reasons. 1: it kinda dragged out the emotional stuff a little too much. And 2(the reason I registered to write this review) The movie is overall a good movie but the ending, well it ticked me off something fierce. I won't spoil it, but I wouldn't recommend this movie to anyone. Definitely no heroes in this flick.It's a look at another possible outcome for japan after the second world war. One that isn't so full of flashy gadgets and goofy cartoons. Poverty begets resentment, and resentment begets action, and action begets retaliation. Ultimately escalated civil unrest and the forces that are set up to fight it. Unlike most movies with similar settings we don't get a revolutionary hero. Just more politics, and conspiracy. Gives you an interesting look at the other side of the body armor and guns. Its a very well made movie but not one to see if you're after a movie to make you feel good or happy in any way. The only thing I left this movie with was a good bit of anger and resentment toward the creators. But maybe thats just my opinion.
Freddy
Jin-Roh, is a very impressive movie from a technical stand point. What is perhaps, most impressive about it, is the plot twists as well as the story. Jin-Roh gives new meaning to the word "Betrayel". It's truly a frightening movie from that point of view. It has a strange artistic look to it. It doesn't seem very Japanese. It's much to dark, gloomy and depressing. The action is far and in between, but when it comes, it is very good. The plot is not the most important thing about the movie. It's more the relationship between the characters. I guess, to be fair, the weakest aspect of Jin-Roh, is definitely that it can feel very slow and stretched out. It has this calm and gritty feel to it, but when things start to happen, the viewer sits on the edge of their seats and wait what will happen.Jin-Roh is betrayal in a movie. It's a very unique anime that totally goes away from the anime mainstream, which makes it difficult to compare it to anything actually. And while it may be slow and a bit at drag at time, it's definitely worth watching, just for the sake of it.7/10
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