Review of Memories

This is an anthology film that contains three short films, however I am only recommending the first two parts. The first two parts are very different from each other so I have to address each one separately. Magnetic Rose This is a visually stunning film, especially for its time. Madhouse was on top of the world back in the 90s and early 2000s and this is a textbook example. Hand drawn 2D animation at its finest, combining old style animation techniques and some modern techniques. It will forever look timeless. All of the backgrounds of the rooms on the ship leap off the screen as if each oneis a painted portrait.

The animation for the action and character movement is butter smooth and full of life as does all of Madhouses projects.

If you are fan of Alien and mind bending Sci-Fi this is the story for you. A drama arthouse film with some 90s sci fi grit sprinkled in which makes it more mainstream.

There isn't much of a theme or message to the story - the key that draws the audience in is its mystery of what the ship is and the story behind the ominous lady figure who inhabits the ship. The characters know as much as the audience does, so you are with these characters every step despite little to no backstory for them.

The barebone characters made me wish this was a full length movie - the premise for this plot has more than enough material to make a film over 90 minutes long.

Instead, we have a 40 minute short film that does enough to grip you and will still be enjoyed by all. A must watch.

Stink Bomb

This is a black comedy short film that embraces chaos and, daresay, nonsense, and runs with it to create a very unique and entertaining anime.

Good black comedies are very rare for anime, so it was a breath of fresh air to see an anime go this direction and have fun with it.

You need to know this is a black comedy before watching. If you do not know that walking into this, you will either be confused (like I was) or turned off by it. The film initially starts as a horror genre but it contains weird elements such as an aggressive smooth jazz score and wacky character reactions to events which seemed to contradict the atmosphere i thought it was trying to create

Halfway through it becomes very clear its meant to be comedy, but until then, I was baffled by the decision making before then.

Bullets flying everyone, endless explosions, and bodies flying everywhere, and its glorious.

A treat thats worth watching at least once if you are a true anime fan.

The last short film, Cannon Fodder, I can only recommend if you are into pure arthouse, as that's the only thing you are going to get. There is zero character, zero story, all visuals in a unique style. The film felt like an after thought that felt half finished. Perhaps the filmmakers did not have enough time to work on it. Massive disappointment especially considering the other two short films