Review of Redline

Strap your ass in: Redline is the most pulse-racing, ridiculous anime in years. It’s basically Japan’s version of the Wacky Races, only more mature, pumped full of adrenaline and style, and wrapped up in the prettiest package imaginable. The film’s tagline is “Witness the future of animation,” and as pompous as it might sound, it’s no exaggeration. Seven years and hundreds of thousands of hand-drawn frames later, Madhouse has produced its masterpiece. Lush, imaginative worlds combine with a staggering attention to detail, gorgeous, bold character designs, and flawless animation to create a work that is as good as if not better looking than anything elseout there. This visual orgasm is set to an impressive electronic/techno soundtrack that’s equal parts pulsating bass and dreamy synth, and outstanding voice casts. All of this comes together to make Redline an experience unlike any other.

The story is more of a mixed bag. It’s absurd, all over the place, and devoid of substance, but it’s also fun, well-paced, and it gets the job done. You can’t honestly expect much out of a film whose main plot is about an illegal race on a planet ruled by killer cyborgs, and as long as you go into it with the right mindset, you’ll probably enjoy it. The highlights are definitely the action-packed races, which will have you glued to the screen, but the various subplots are pretty interesting too and give the story some complexity. The characters are on the whole great, but the cast is large and only a few get any meaningful attention − JP, Sonoshee, and Frisbee. While a couple of the racers stand out (the Superboins and Machine Head with his hilarious tiny dog), the rest are completely forgettable despite the attention they’re given. Redline‘s true weakness is not that its story or characters lack much substance, but that it tries to do too much at once and so doesn’t do much in the end. With so many pieces flying around, the only thing you can do is embrace the madness, and if you’re hoping for a strong plot you’ll be sorely disappointed.

Whatever criticisms it may deserve, Redline is still a must-see film. As of now, it’s the pinnacle of animation. Add in the kick ass soundtrack and an exhilarating racing plot, and it’s easy to see why it’s such a big deal. Just sit back and enjoy the ride.