Crying Freeman Complete Collection - Underland Online
- Underland Online
- Mike
- 01/27/04
- click here
Crying Freeman: The Complete Collection
Any time I see a disclaimer of sorts on the back of a DVD box that says, 'Contains extreme violence,' I'm pretty much sold. Crying Freeman is one of those series that I didn't get the chance to watch when ADV originally released the series on DVD, and that pleasure went to a former review who has sine left the site, but there's always something better waiting in the wings. Luckily, for myself and also for those that didn't get the chance to see Crying Freeman when it was originally released on DVD, ADV has put all three volumes together in one collection, something that they have been doing for quite a while now, much to the joy of anime fans that may not always have the money to buy every series they like right when the discs are released.
Much like their other sets, Crying Freeman is contained in a larger case than what is normally on the market, although it isn't to the same scale as other collections that have been released such as the uncut Sailor Moon for instance or even the numerous City Hunter collections that are out on the market right now. This is three discs after all, not six, but even a small amount is no excuse to not have everything packed up nicely, and it's a nice space saver as well, especially for someone like myself that's quickly seeing their DVD shelf space deplete at a rapid rate. It might only be the difference of one disc, but there are times that one spot can make all the difference in the world, and it's a little better than having those collector's boxes that take up valuable space for months while the discs come out one at a time. However, that's not to say that I'm not a fan of collector's boxes either, but that's a completely different review.
Just the name Crying Freeman however does bring up some bad blood with some film buffs. Christophe Gans, the writer behind Brotherhood of the Wolf and the same man slated to direct the upcoming video game inspired Silent Hill, directed a live action version of Crying Freeman which, while not horrible, really doesn't live up to the expectation that some fans had. That, and when you put Mark Dacascos in anything you're asking from problems. This however is not the live action film, but instead the original anime OVA, produced way back in 1988.
Crying Freeman tells the story, over the course of six episodes, of Yo Hinomura, a former potter who has been brainwashed by the Chinese Mafia, known as the 108 Dragons here, and transformed into a lethal killer. The Dragons whole plan is territory expansion, and Japan is just the place they are looking to muscle their way into. During one of his killing episodes, Yo runs across a young virgin, Emu Hino, and soon love is in the air. The two return to China where they are married and soon, Yo becomes one of the heads of the Dragon organization, something that is frowned upon by some in the organization, and thus, internal struggles erupt.
As far as violence goes, Crying Freeman has it, that and plenty of nudity is well, and that's something that might work as a selling point for some. The plot however, and the overall story, do leave quite a bit to be desired, but it's at least somewhat tolerable. Much of the determining factor here is really going to be what you're in to. If you're up for excessive violence and plenty of nudity, this is definitely the thing that's going to fulfill that need. However, if you're looking for a bit more substance, then you'd best be looking elsewhere.
Posted on Tuesday, January 27, 2004 (Archive on Friday, February 27, 2004)