let's beautifully dream

[davemerrill]

New Let's Anime column all about what wasn't previously my favorite Urusei Yatsura film but in hindsight is probably my favorite Urusei Yatsura film.



Yes, it's the one where you ask 'what is reality' and there's a scene where C3PO kisses Darth Vader. Explore the nature of existence today at Let's Anime!

Comments

[ferricide.livejournal.com]

i really enjoyed reading that.

in the early 1990s, when i was entirely dependent on suncoast for "japanimation", the only urusei yatsura i could get my hands on was beautiful dreamer because it was the one licensed by CPM, not animeigo. somehow i watched it probably 10 times as a teenager. i'm not sure how.

i bought the DVD about, say, 2006 or so, but i couldn't make it through. not to say it's a bad movie, but it's at least as incongruous as you say it is, and it does have moments where it really drags.

i want to go back and check out the commentary track now, though.

[davemerrill.livejournal.com]

I think going into it when I did, later in my anime-watching career, I knew it was an Oshii film and as such was going to have long scenes of empty streets and cicadas humming in the background, so I was ready for the long stretches of nothing. I can easily see those scenes being a big road block to enjoyment. They certainly are when you're trying to watch the first Patlabor movie without subtitles.

In the early days I preferred the zany Only You comedy, but now I think BD is the all-around better film.

[ferricide.livejournal.com]

yeah, i mean, obviously, in 2006 i knew what oshii was all about, as opposed to 1993. that said, i think that (like you said) the UY mythos being the backdrop to the movie actually weakens it than if it were something original or more adaptable to the subject matter e.g. GITS.

anyway it probably is the "best" in the sense of "tackles interesting themes, is more artistic, enduring" etc, but i think in a weird way i'd rather just watch only you right now. not that i have since, i dunno, 1995.