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| Overall | Art | Animation | Character Design | Music | Series Story | Episode Story | Reviewer | |
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 Stretch
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[series:385#628] | ||||||
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Having read a number of reviews of the two animated Golgo 13 movies, one comment I noticed several times was that the critics liked them as a change from the usual mecha/demons/martial arts/comedy/etc that one finds in anime. Also unusual is that both stories take place largely in the United States (the only other example of this type I can think of would be Gunsmith Cats). Anyway, while watching this movie I got the impression that it had only a hint of the style displayed in Golgo 13: The Professional (and one reviewer claimed even that had only a hint of the style in the Golgo 13 Manga!). This was a grisly film, with lots of pointless violence which had little or nothing to do with the plot tacked on. A good example would be when Golgo agrees to take on an assignment at the end of the film, and there's really no need to actually show it being carried out, but amid the credits you see three more people get blown away. The plot was confusing--actually, Golgo is so totally inscruitable that I wonder if the plot to any movie he is in could ever make sense. He spares people when you expect him to kill, and kills when you expect him to have mercy. Maybe this was why I found this film to be enjoyable enough that I didn't assign it an "avoid". Don't expect this movie to make much sense, and don't take it seriously--you'll have a lot more fun this way. Perhaps it was the absurdly unpredictable storyline that somehow kept me interested. There were a couple good jokes, I liked the unusually realistic charachter designs (definitely no "Beautiful Boy" style here!), the artwork, and even the English-language theme song "Turquoise Blue". The gratuitous nudity didn't really sway me one way or the other. My Favorite Line: "Well, it looks like I've been f----d twice, doesn't it?" 8/03 #56 Last updated Friday, February 15 2008. Created Saturday, August 30 2003. | ||||||||
| Avoid | 8 | 8 | 8 | 2 | 2 |
 Midnighter
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[series:385#94] | |
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Golgo13: Queen Bee was disappointing. Having heard it compared to character driven action movies like 'The Professional' I purchased it with high hopes. We'll start with the good, to be fair. The character designs are very nice, having a realistic feel not common in anime. I believe they were done by the same designer for Black Jack, and I was impressed that they were able to animate such complex designs so well. The visual similarities to Black Jack are striking, so the eye-candy was sweet. I quite enjoyed the political scenes of the bent candidate and his friend, as they amused my bitter, cynical side. Also, Urban Vision's dub is quite good. Now for the bad. The story was absolutely laughable. I was giggling all the way through it. The forced 'drama'is simply childish filler between one fight scene and the next. There is an attempt to juggle three or four sub-plots, but most are forgotten for long stretches and then suddenly and lamely wrapped up. The most interesting one, about a cannibalistic 'Nam vet is far more interesting than the main story, and he makes a far better villian than "Queen Bee" does. Queen Bee herself starts out as a cold, calculating killer who uses sex (lots of it) to achieve her means, but soon is relegated to a blubbering, maternal stereotype. As for Golgo himself, maybe he's a cool character, but as it is, we don't know because he's rarely on screen! He's relegated to supporting character. Isn't the movie named after him?? It's almost like this was a movie about someone else and Golgo13 just makes cameos. Don't get me started on the atrocious music. Simply put, you must hear it to believe it...if you can listen to it over your own maniacal laughter, that is. Overall, Golgo13: Queen Bee looks nice but is potentially damaging to those who like well written entertainment. Nice animation and a strong American voice cast are wasted on amateurish writing and childish dialogue. I recommend an avoid. Last updated Saturday, February 23 2002. Created Saturday, February 23 2002. | ||||||||
