Revolutionary Girl Utena - The Movie
by Kunihiko Ikuhara
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Actor: Aya Hisakawa, Kotono Mitsuishi, Takehito Koyasu, Takeshi Kusao, Tomoko KawakamiDirector: Kunihiko Ikuhara
Cinematographer: Toyomitsu Nakajo
Composer: J.A. Seazer
Composer: Shinkichi Mitsumine
Editor: Shigeru Nishiyama
DVD: Region Code 1
Audio: English (Original Language); Japanese (Original Language)
Format: Animated, Color, DVD-Video, NTSC, Widescreen
Picture Format: 1.85:1
Running Time: 87 minutes
DVD Release Date: 2001-10-25
Audience Rating: Unrated
Studio: Software Sculptures
DVD Reviews of Revolutionary Girl Utena - The Movie
DVD Review: Amazing MOVIE from an AMAZING Series =)
Summary: 5 Stars
I purchased Utena back in the 90's when it was still being released on VHS. The only reason i purchased it was because on the box it said from the director of Sailor Moon, so i assumed it was another great series. Indeed it was, but a GREAT SERIES in a totally different way from Sailor Moon. The series started and then stopped after only 13 episodes and the remaining episodes were released a few years later to coincide with the release of the movie on DVD. After the cancellation of the VHS tapes I assumed Utena was another anime title that would never see the light of day as with many anime titles that get dubbed and never to be seen again. I was ecstatic when I found out the original cast had returned to finished out the 39 episode season. I just love Utena and i think it's one of the best series ever released. It has mystery and it keeps your attention. The only thing is a lot of elements in the show and movie is interpretive, so you never really quite know what's going on; everything is open to what you think it symbolizes. This can be a bit confusing. After watching the series i thought the movie would answer all my questions but only gave me more questions as i didn't know how to interpret what the symbols mean. Regardless, i still think the movie is excellent and the animation of course is amazing as well. The movie is like the show condensed into 85 minutes but with a somewhat new ending to help bring closure to the series. As stated before it still doesn't tell you the answer out right, you have to figure it out for yourself. Quick recap: The show/movie is about a girl name Utena that comes to the Ohtohori Academy and gets involved with these duels because she has a rose crusted ring that a prince gave her when she was little. She feels the ring is the only connection she has into finding him and through these duels she hopes that she can find the answers that she's looking for. Along the way the winner of the duels get complete control over the Rose Bride Anthy. Anthy is complex and doesn't say much. But as much as the show has a light fluffy fairy type feel to it, it quickly turns into a tragic nightmare as the episodes progress. The show is excellent in terms of PLOT, structure, and EXCELLENT MUSIC, addictive Japanese Techno Opera. But check this movie out and the series. This DVD is the best way to complete your Utena collection. Just series & movie is a masterpiece and I only wish there was a season 2.DVD Review: Utena Revealed....
Summary: 3 Stars
Having watched the 39 episode series, read several essays, and considered the show at length, I would have to say that overall the Utena movie is a disappointment. Actually, my first exposure to Utena was the movie, back in 2002, which made no sense to me at all and which I dismissed as ridiculous. It took five years before I was willing to actually look at the series, which is brilliant and amazing. I then watched the movie a second time, after the TV series and, while it made more sense, it is still ridiculous.
The first thing I thought of after seeing the movie the second time is that Kunihiko Ikuhara was not able to resist "Evangelion-izing" Utena, with the same sad results. To highlight some obscure part of the original creation or to extend it is some way would have been reasonable, but to try to compact it into 80 minutes in any meaningful way is sophomoric. I will say that the resulting mashup does come across as adolescent, especially the sexualization of the characters, so the alternative movie title (The Adolescence of Utena) is at least appropriately named.
As with other reviewers, I will agree that the music and graphics are superior to the series. However, if I wanted to view a Utena music video, there are many on YouTube that are far better. Perhaps the best thing I can say is that the movie allows you to hang out with the characters from the series in new and unique ways, as long as you do not require that to make any sense. I love symbolism and allegory, but stringing them together in a linear fashion does not tell a story and is not necessarily worth the emotional or real-time investment, unless your looking for some easy fan-service.
Overall, I am glad I saw the movie, since it clarifies some things from the series (that the Academy is more prison than school, that Touga did have potential to be more than just a playboy, that Shiori was more of a witch than Anthy ever was). But it adds nothing to one's appreciation of the series, which is the true masterwork. I highly recommend you invest in watching the series - it will shatter your preconceptions about gender roles and the insidious romantic mythology we all participate in.
DVD Review: Amazing!!!!
Summary: 5 Stars
It's really amazing how it has so many levels to this movie it's more than meet's the eye. There is the story you see and the story it means. It may seem strange while watching but the more you think about it it begins to make more sense and the more you like it. This is worth watching and adding to any anime collection.DVD Review: Affection, Incest, Jealousy, and Innocence Lost....
Summary: 5 Stars
I think for some who watch the original 1st season of Revolutionary Girl Utena would be disappointed because they thought it was all going to end quickly with just a movie. But, I strongly recommend that you watch the previous seasons of "The Black Rose Saga" and "The Apocalypse Saga". From what I've seen in this movie, the colors are brilliant comparing to the TV series. The music is beautiful and nostalgic. "This Rose is Our Destiny" song was beautiful, whether you're a j-pop fan or not you'll love it. There were parts in the movie that can be confusing like the character's new modified looks, the setting, and story. Well, just think of it as a retelling the Utena series in a whole new way. You may think that the previous 1st series was just all teenager pheremones and stuff. But, this does deserve the title "Innocence Lost". Even Utena let's loose her anger on Anthy because of her childhood boyfriend. In The 1st series she never considered Touga as a boyfriend but a "playboy" (which is true, speaking the fact that he was messing with other girls).
Alot of things well be unveiled in different plots and shocks. The special feautures were the best part including my favorite theatrical trailer of "La Fillette Revolutionaire UTENA" w/the Gravitational Mix "Absolute Destiny of Apocalypse". Kunihiko Ikuhara in his "Behind the Scenes" and commentary explained alot of what's going on and the movie's new meaning.
So check it out! And be in awe with a world without innocence.
DVD Review: get it
Summary: 5 Stars
I love the series it has 39 episodes and I love the movie. I would rate it pg-13. The animation is just average but I still love this movie it has drama, comedy, action, and some mature themes.
Description of Revolutionary Girl Utena - The Movie
Utena duels her classmates to protect her friend Anthy, who is the key to a magical power that could make her dream - to become a prince - come true. But Anthy hides a terrible secret, and Utena must face the truth about herself and those she loves and learn what it means to be a true hero. Anamorphic widescreen format!This movie version of the Japanese television show takes the entire series plot and streamlines it into 80 minutes, pushing the characters into an alternate universe. For those who have seen the series, the action and characters will feel familiar: Utena learns to be a duelist and fight against a righteous faction at her school. But director Kunihiko Ikuhara revises the series in details both small (the duels take place in a rose field, not a stadium) and large (the bizarre finale). The gender-bending relations between Utena and Anthy--a friendship in the series--now take on lesbian overtones. The film will certainly be remembered for its finale as Utena becomes a racecar--literally. The end result should polarize fans yet bring new anime enthusiasts onboard. (Rated 13 and older; mild violence and nudity) --Doug Thomas
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