Review of Akira

Akira, a timeless classic. Parts of this film definitely stand the test of time, but it's not a perfect movie or anything. The plot is very demanding and maybe even a bit convoluted. There's just so much context or information the movie expects its audience to pick up on, which actually works fairly well. It's able to convey the separate factions in conflict with each other, the background of Kaneda and Tetsuo, and most of what's going on with the secret project, all without explicitly spelling everything out for you. However, I can't help but feel like the plot is a bit crammed. Maybe a seriesformat would better convey all of the needed information at a more natural pace.

Other than the bit of confusion or maybe feeling of missing something, and the lack of interest I had for all but the two main characters, this movie is damn good.

The plot is interesting. It's fascinating to watch Tetsuo become consumed by his newfound power, both mentally and later physically, and it's fun to watch Kaneda trying to save/deal with his best friend.

The presentation is also fantastic. The animation looks fantastic, especially considering how old this movie is. And there are plenty of interesting shots that make some live action films to shame. The soundtrack is distinct and effective at pulling your mental state where it wants, whether it gets your heart pumping, or puts you in frightful awe.

Overall, Akira is a good movie and worth a watch, especially if you like either anime or films, or even both.