Akira (Special Edition + Tin Packaging)

Akira (Special Edition + Tin Packaging)
by Katsuhiro Ohtomo

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Category: DVD
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DVD Reviews of Akira (Special Edition + Tin Packaging)

DVD Review: Its here, Expectations?
Summary: 4 Stars

EXPECTATIONS: Like most, I patiently waited for an OFFICIAL US release of Akira on DVD. Well I saw the VCD copy of the original English release from Malysia...not good. Personally, not interested in the DVD release from Japan with Eng subtitles only. Anyway I expected something any collector on any level would be eager and happy to own NOW.

ITS HERE: I purchased the Limited Collectors Tin Edition with 2 DVD's (movie, extra features). The restoration was absolutely top-notch! The NEW English voice quality and content adequate but lacked the differentiation in the first English release. The dialogue content in regards to the story was no better or no worse in either English release. However I was so use to the original English release and there seemed to be more voice "character" in the original. Sound was excellent and again a visual and audio treat with a solid SCI-FI story line. Its been awhile since I watched the first VHS version and the re-release certainly ranks with any animation today! Animation is an expression of different artists and styles, whether it be a paint brush or computer generated. I believe any review done on either the first or second English release of Akira will give all the well deserved RAVE on this classic.

LET DOWNS: I expected that the Official DVD Release really would have went after the core Anime fan down to the casual movie watcher. Would have been nice to have seen a collection featuring the film in original Japanese dialoge format on DVD with NO editing or English additions/version. Next, absolutely nothing about the first English dubbed version released in the US...that certainly would have been another nice addition - lot of the fan base was generated from that first English dub release, give some credit at least!? Next, do the restoration and include that TOO. Finally, another problem is the additional features disc 2 has poor subtitles which are difficult to read due to coloring in contrast to background colors.

RATING: Found this to be difficult because I truely felt the Limited Edition with Tin could have been a collection geared to the Avid Anime fan - give something to show how the film has been viewed over the years...Japan, First Eng, Second Eng, etc. Perhaps, Pioneer felt the avid fan probably owned every other version, but still lets get it in DVD format. Therefore, I have to drop a point or perhaps a half point. The single DVD release certainly could have been geared to others only interested in the re-release and nothing more. As for "Akira", will always be MORE THAN 5 Stars!!!