Parasite Dolls - Zap2it.Com
- Zap2it.Com
- Hanh Nguyen
- 11/23/04
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Parasite DollsBy Hanh Nguyen
Tue, Nov 23, 2004, 04:11 PM PT
STUDIO: ADV Films
RELEASE DATE: Available Now
RATING: 17+
PRICE: $29.98 DVD
TIME: 95 min.
DVD EXTRAS: Mini poster insert, main character profiles, 'Get on the Beat' music video, exclusive promo video, original Japanese video promo, production sketches, ADV previews, English dubbed dialogue, Japanese with English subtitles
INTERNET SITE: www.advfilms.com
As with any good sci-fi flick, 'Parasite Dolls' gives a tweaked view of a possible future featuring advanced technology without losing sight of the grounding human element. Set in the world of the hit series 'Bubblegum Crisis -- Tokyo 2040,' 'Dolls' is a darkly satisfying, somewhat erotic tale that inexorably draws the viewer in by unfolding in three distinct parts that span several years.
Basil 'Buzz' Nikvest is an officer in a special task force called 'Branch' that maintains peace between humans and the nearly human androids called boomers in Genom City. Even though he refuses to carry a firearm, Buzz is the best there is and soon begins to suspect there's something afoot when illegally modified boomers go rogue and then boomers practicing the oldest profession are slain by a mysterious serial killer. The key might be with Eve, a high-class boomer prostitute who has access to all the best hotels, but she has her own problems: she dreams. Seemingly unrelated events in the past eventually come to a head, threatening the existence of humans and boomers alike.
With its action-packed plot, beautiful animation and intriguing characters, 'Dolls' entertains any fan of meticulously created science fiction worlds. The boomers supposedly don't feel any emotion, yet they elicit a certain sympathy for their almost-human state. In particular, Buzz's partner Rod Kimball is a laidback, confident officer who also happens to be a boomer. The film examines the responsibility owed to the boomers who serve and protect the same humans that are now turning on them. The film's human characters are nicely flawed as well, with the competent Reiko Michaelson, who's comfortable wielding heavy firepower and flying battle helicopters, but is struggling with her femininity and her unrequited crush on Buzz.
Sound and picture quality are excellent, with both the dubbed English dialogue and English subtitles fitting the action and emotional context well. The disc is somewhat light on meaty bonuses, but does offer an insert profiling the main characters, a mini-poster and a music video for 'Get on the Beat,' the driving cyber-disco song that accompanies the opening sequence. A word of warning, though: The video includes many shots from the film itself that, if viewed before the feature, may lessen the effect of certain sequences, although no major plot points are spoiled.
'Parasite Dolls' is an effective stand-alone film while providing an introduction into the 'Bubblegum Crisis' universe and would round out any sci-fi or anime DVD collection nicely.
Posted on Tuesday, November 23, 2004 (Archive on Thursday, December 23, 2004)