Marudukku sukuranburu: Asshuku (2010) Reviews

• Prime example of just how unique Japanese animation can be

  ebossert2016-07-29

  The "Mardock Scramble" trilogy consists of 3 Japanese anime films: "The First Compression" (from 2010), "The Second Combustion" (from 2011), and "The Third Exhaust" (from 2012). Each of these films is about an hour long, which sums to a three-hour film in total. Taking place in a futuristic city called Kamina City, a young prostitute is taken in by a notorious gambler. One night, he abandons and attempts to murder her in an explosion. However, she is rescued and transformed into a cyborg by a man named Dr. Easter. Afterward, an artificial intelligence in the form of a glowing yellow mouse accompanies her to adapt to her new life. She is trained to use the advanced technology fitted on her to defend herself against the gambler's attempts to have her killed in order to stop her from testifying against him. Mardock Scramble is bursting with so much creativity and awesomeness that it provides a surprisingly unique viewing experience. It combines elements that have no business being in the same movie together. I briefly mentioned the glowing yellow mouse, which by the way has some awesome technological abilities, and this character is introduced soon after the opening sequence which is a gritty, violent, uncomfortable moment where a teenage prostitute gets beaten and almost murdered. And that's not all. You have some other animals that make appearances later on, and I can wholeheartedly assure you that you will never see dolphins and sharks the same way again. Almost unbelievably, the eccentric mix of gritty revenge violence, nudity, science fiction and technology, and cute fluffy mice is only the tip of the iceberg. I do not want to get into the plot details of the second and third movies – mostly because there are so many surprises to be had – but I will say that if you enjoy lengthy gambling sequences that take place in a glitzy casino and showcase a battle of wits between the player and dealer, then you're in for a real treat. Based on what little I've told you thus far, you may wondering how a trilogy of films can introduce such wildly disparate elements and actually work. Well, I'm happy to say that they work wonderfully because the scriptwriting really does a good job of transitioning between these different elements in such a way that the storyline feels natural and logical within the world that it creates. I would also say that the overall tone doesn't shift quite as much as you may think. Yes, there are some very dark moments here, but even the lighter scenes (like when the glowing yellow mouse cuddles with the girl) are expressed as more of a melancholy moment. There is not goofy humor or anything like that, and I think that helps to keep everything together. The writing also creates some very interesting character interaction. The relationship between the girl and her fluffy mouse is actually very endearing and I did care about them as things progressed There's also the battle of wits that I previously mentioned. You get a sense of quality to the Mardock Scramble films because it seems like someone thought this stuff thru. You're probably thinking to yourself, "Such an odd set of films probably had a limited budget." I did a search the internet myself but could not confirm the budget. But it's obvious that Mardock Scramble had a healthy production behind it because the animation looks very nice. Some of the detail and use of color creates a visual spectacle that's beautiful to look at. There's not a lot of criticisms I can find for Mardock Scramble. Obviously, if you have a problem with the mix of elements that I previously mentioned, then that's one thing but I think that's one of the things that makes this trilogy so interesting to watch. I would say that the viewer will be forced to piece a few things together. These movies don't explain every little thing, so the viewer is asked to figure some things out for themselves. Nothing mind-blowing, but it can create some confusion. For example, the abilities of the technology that the protagonists use is not well defined, so you just have to roll with it. Also, the pacing is a bit on the slow side at times. In any case, I really enjoy these films and they represent why Japanese animation is so unique. This trilogy is widely available on DVD, so be sure to check these out.

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• Compelling subject matter coupled with interesting Cyberpunk questions

  fraser-simons2017-02-06

  Be warned, this engages with some problematic content but I think it tries to do so in a respectful way about larger questions at play, not just shock value. It's called Mardock Scramble because a scientist has military and restricted tech that enables him to save someone who's dead, so long as a neural link is formed with the individual and the subconscious is probed to ask a number of questions, most important of which is, "Do you want to live?". She's reborn as a cyborg with super-strong skin, the ability to manipulate electronics around her, programming for self defense and spacial awareness. She can shoot like a billion ping pong balls in 10 seconds - that kind of thing. Where this takes an interesting turn for me was that they bring her back specifically to give her justice, providing information and evidence against Shell in order to bring him down. But what follows is a young woman's struggle to find something she lives for as previously it was entangled in Shell's identity. A vehicle for that exploration is Oeufcoque, a futuristic malleable, intelligent, tool that is presented to her. Whose primary function is to protect her. "He" changes his physical form to a lot of different things, bulletproof clothing, knives, guns. Whatever is needed. Oeufcoque's identity is completely wrapped up in his creation purpose, to be a case officer and tool to help other people get what they need. As the three movies progress this thread intensifies, we learn more of Rune's back story, we get Shell's back story. And we learn Oeufcoque had a previous user who turned murderous, abusing him and using him as a tool for murder - which actually physically harms Oeufcoque. When attempting to defend herself and get justice, Rune constantly struggles with the "right way" to get justice. This previous user's name has a full name but is known as Boiled (I know, anime right). Rune finds herself slowly going down the same path as he as she becomes consumed with the idea of revenge and how easy it would be to use Oeufcoque to get it for her. And when she even goes so far as attempt it without realizing the consequences, Oeufcoque is hurt very badly. The imagery is intense when this happens because he's taken the form as Rune's dual guns, which ends up exploding as if shot and leaking blood as she attempts to kill someone who's attacked her but is no longer a threat. Everyone in the show are flawed beings and ultimately the commentary I think is one of a societal constraints and ideas implanted in us from environmental factors, and what happens when we defy them. Even Oeufcoque, who can't physically deviate from his ascribed task in life, cannot deviate from what was forced on him. Rune is a prisoner initially of society too, completely unable to see the value in her worth and wanting to die, but within her is the desire to live, which allows her to defy the restraints and attempt to find herself. Her life before was also to be a tool, one used only wielded by men. Even Shell and his motivations as they unravel and peel back is a commentary on our function in society and what upsetting the "natural" order does to someone. It also manages to interweave a lot of questions about technology from the very beginning. How ethical is this technology that brings back victims from the dead? How ethical is it create entity that is intelligent but then place constraints on it due to your own morality? Some similar themes as Ghost in the Shell also come into play, such as the manipulations of memory in the human mind and what that could do to a person's identity, and what value and pressure we place on the things we ourselves create, living or otherwise. This violent change that see-saws within her throughout the narrative is really compelling to watch. At least, from my point of view. At one point she is at a Casino in an effort to do an elaborate heist to lift data they need to get to take down Shell. They explore fate, luck, and trust. Although it made for a slower scenes it was interesting because another woman at the Casino at first tells Rune that if a woman cultivates a her femininity, she will be rewarded in life, effectively having really good luck. While later on saying telling her that the only way she would truly be satisfied is if she set aside everything else and listened to herself, shirking society and everyone else's viewpoint in order to truly know her own. While always supporting her as well, Oeufcoque is a very endearing character. Often asking probing questions about her welfare and her reactions to even small events. I feel like these particular scenes are the real heart of the movies. There's tons of good action between these cyborgs, there's a really good digital environment, larger questions being posed, entities that can turn into guns and clothing and knives and cool things. It's really entertaining. There is a couple aspects that seem like they were forgotten at the end or were interesting tangents that were cast aside. But I've got the book to read as well, which is very hefty. So I'll dig into that at some point. After watching it twice I would definitely recommend it despite the problematic subject matter. And if someone has seen it and disagrees with it being handled OK, definitely let me know. I am always happy to learn more.

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• more than it seems

  honeycreepshow2016-06-28

  I went in to this movie with no prior knowledge of it or the novels, and from the information on Hulu I expecting nothing more than a poorly imagined Ghost in The Shell knockoff. I was very pleasantly surprised. The story and world is distinctly unique and very well fleshed-out. Balot's backstory is horrifyingly grim, and her transition from human to cyborg is fascinating. Combined with how despicable and disgusting all the villains are, I found myself strongly rooting for her besides the arbitrary 'she's the main character so I have to root for her.' Oeufcoque is a fantastic character and his relationship with Balot is very endearing. The action and fight scenes are very exciting, and the animation and art direction is beautiful. It is very violent and disturbing, and I would definitely consider a trigger warning for anyone who is sensitive to topics like rape, incest, or abuse. All in all this film gave me more than I expected and is one of the more compelling anime films I have seen. If you enjoy cyberpunk, sci-fi, Ghost in the Shell, Serial Experiments Lain, and disturbing violent mindbend-y anime, I would definitely recommend this.

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