Appleseed (2004)

I have a glutton for punishment it seems! Having just seen the b0r3fest that was FF7:AC, I decided to buy Appleseed, merely because it has a shiny metallic box stating 'Limited Edition.'
Comparisons to Final Fantasy: Advent Children cannot be avoided! Both OAVs share the term of Computer Graphics. Or is this just another plan to slag off FF7:AC even further? Then your probably right!
Incase you are wondering which 1337 CG DVD to get and can't be bothered reading any further, then I highly suggest Appleseed! Why? You'll just have to read on! ;)

Appleseed

Age Rating: 12+
Company: Optimum Asia/Geneon
Genre: Anime CG OAV Film
Running Time: Approx 103 mins
Region: 2



What is Appleseed all about we all wonder? Well, it is hard to describe! Thankfully the plot although tries to psychobabble (tm!) mixed with action ends up being obvious, mixed with action!
Appleseed is based on the manga/anime OAV by the very famous and perhaps overrated Shirow Masamune of Ghost In The Shell fame. Of course we are to expect strong female characters wielding guns and launching into big mecha. (Super Robot Taisen style)



After the action orientated opening ala FF7:AC - complete with gun-fu and slow motion, we are introduced to the world of Appleseed. We are then obliged to meet the main character strangely named Deunan. This 1337 warrior was not so 1337 when she got herself captured and thrown to the bisexual..er I mean BIoroid Hitomi, who decides to show the poor woman around Utopia - The city known as perfection.
Deunan beforehand, was fighting an unknown war by herself up to this point. We don't really know why either! but she dreams of her hunk saving her at least 90% of the time. But alas, fate was cruel, so her hunk is now a metallic chunk who has about as much personality as the cyborg he now is! However - this Utopia is not so perfect, as 80% are comprised of Bioroids who are synthetic humans, practically peacekeeps of the city as the human traits of emotion was removed from them. Also, the added twist is that they cannot reproduce so making sure the human race survive.
The main plot? Apart from BIoroid Hitomi throwing herself at Deunan and reminicing about love and lots of blowing up action, there is one! Thank god this isn't another FF7:AC.
The main system of Utopia named Gaia decided on the fate of humans and Bioroids alike, and the twisted Elders who look after the system decide to dupe Duenan into helping them. Hitomi our poor BIroid is put into a coma because some terrorist group blows up the system that keeps Bioroids functional. Duenan to the rescue as she decided to help out Hitomi!
After lots of typical plot cliches like backstabbing and a OTT OMG dying scene to her hunk a chunk Briareous - our herione finds a bit about her past. Which was probably the best part of the whole OAV in my opinion!



However, there seems alot of questions that remain unanswered after the cheese ending. Like how does Hitomi know the passcodes? (The anime OAV and manga lets you know lol) and why didn't Athena's side-kick get a more of a part? She was 1337!

CG-wise, you can tell they spent alot of effort on the character models. The style reminded me of the PS2 Cel-shaded game named Crimson Tears. It's very appealing to the eye but I felt, especially at the start that I was watching a FMV sequence rather than a OAV film. But it does get better! In some ways, I think it is superior to the 'graphix' shown in FF7:AC. On the back of the box I like how it states it has great music by the likes of Basement Jaxx. But do I really care? No. The music reminded me of Tekken more than anything!

Overall, after you get past the first action bit..I was pleasantly surprised. Top notch action, an interesting story and finally likeable characters! While it's not epic material, it's a good way to spend an hour and a half in the Appleseed world.

Pros
+ Great CG
+ Interesting plot with underlying themes
+ Likeable characters
+ BIoroid Hitomi!

Cons
- Was very predictable
- Some scenes are a bit drab
- Matrix was done 5 years ago
- Plot holes!

Overall: 7.5/10

H-I-T-O-M.... :D