Review of Redline
Redline makes franchises like Fast and Furious look like baby films in comparison, I always use a single line when discussing this film with my friends..."It's like Fast and Furious on steroids", which is exactly what Redline is in the best way possible. Within the first minutes of Redline you're adrenaline is high as ever, the story may be weak and basic in comparison to films like Akira and A Silent Voice, but at the end of the day the poster alone tells you what you're in for, balls to the wall crazy action. It's films like Redline that anime was created for, a chance tosee crazy and insane concepts come to life on the big screen, it's entertainment you can't find anywhere else and it's simply breathtaking because of it. Half of the film is full of high stakes racing full of out of this world characters and events that will leave your jaw dropping with excitement.
The action however would be nowhere near as good without it's top tier animation, Madhouse yet again proves they're one of the best anime studios out there as the animation of redline is one of the most complex and detailed that has ever been released, even rivalling big budget Hollywood animated features, the amount of time and effort it took the make this film is an infamous and interesting story and all that hard work payed off without a doubt if the result is this masterpiece of cinema.
James Shimoji continues to be one of the most underrated composers anime has ever seen, as Redline would simply not be the same without his masterful score to go along with it, at times his music even features moments of subtle storytelling such as the tracks mood changing depending on which character is in the lead (at certain parts in the film). The Redline soundtrack is by far one of my favourites and the film simply wouldn't be the same without it. It's sound design is also perfection, the roar of the car engines and the booming beats of Shimoji's soundtrack has never sounded so good coming out of my surround sound speakers, a lot of love and care was clearly put into how this film sounds as well as how it looks.
In conclusion, Redline is the gold standard for 2D animation, it's spectacular visuals along with it's heart pumping action packed storyline make for one of the most entertaining anime's ever created.