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Re: live-action versions of anime
Posted: Sat Jun 08, 2013 1:39 am
by greg
I just watched Scott Pilgrim vs. The World again last night. It's been a while. While it's not "anime" per se, this movie is a perfect example of how a live-action movie can remain faithful to the original source. I saw the movie first, then read the comics. (Actually, I lost track of reading the comics about ayear or so ago after I moved from my house. I should start over from the beginning and re-read it and finish it.) The DVD even has a feature that shows stills of the movie and compares it to the graphic novels. They are nearly frame for frame identical so often that it's amazing. Granted, it's obvious that Bryan Lee O'Malley had specific locations in Toronto in mind when he did the comics. Edgar Wright made the movie in conjunction with O'Malley, so even though the movie strays from the original story after the first fight, it still retains the same spirit. In some ways, the movie falls a bit short, like how it depicts Scott's relationship with Ramona as being a real drag and not so much the lovey dovey stuff that's in the comics, how it fails to elaborate on how Ramona is actually able to deliver packages for Amazon on roller skates by taking shortcuts through Scott's subconscious), and that they didn't put in near as many video game references (my favorite is when Scott doesn't want to get out of bed in the morning, and imagines being able to turn into a Morphing Ball from Metroid to go turn on the heater). But still, it is a fabulous movie and it actually gives me the chills at times.
Re: live-action versions of anime
Posted: Sat Jun 08, 2013 5:54 am
by usamimi
I totally agree! That's probably one of my favorite comic-based movies ever. Really well done, you could definitely tell the director wanted to make a faithful adaptation.

Re: live-action versions of anime
Posted: Mon Jun 10, 2013 4:59 am
by usamimi
Re: live-action versions of anime
Posted: Mon Jun 10, 2013 5:20 am
by _D_
So, it's actually based on a Japanese children's novel? Miyazaki changed the setting to Europe? Hmmm...might be okay. Will have to check it out when it's released...if it makes it over here that is...
Re: live-action versions of anime
Posted: Mon Jun 10, 2013 5:34 am
by usamimi
I haven't read the original novel myself, but I think it was always in a made-up European town? I could be wrong. But yeah, it was written by a Japanese author.
Re: live-action versions of anime
Posted: Thu Jun 13, 2013 9:21 pm
by _D_
Just came back from "Man of Steel" which is a VERY good film. And it got me to thinking what Japanese properties could make it in the broader international market? It just burns me up when sh!t like Dragonball Evolution gets made. Now, wasn't there a program that the Japanese government was trying to promote for Japanese properties? Does anyone have an update? Or did they give up? Or, is Hollywood for the most part uninterested? I mean, there are thousands of properties in various states of development. And I'd love to see live, not CGI versions. Getting tired of that. It's okay to do a CGI Harlock or GE 999 but a live version before I die...please! And no more Japanese in wigs trying to fake Europe or America. Though some people go along with this and cite Chinese cast as Japanese that's not the same. I can't straighten my hair and fake like I am East Indian. Oh well, it's late and maybe I'm just spouting off...
Go see "Man if Steel" though. I think you'll like it....
Re: live-action versions of anime
Posted: Fri Jun 14, 2013 4:06 pm
by Path
_D_ wrote:Just came back from "Man of Steel" which is a VERY good film. And it got me to thinking what Japanese properties could make it in the broader international market? It just burns me up when sh!t like Dragonball Evolution gets made. Now, wasn't there a program that the Japanese government was trying to promote for Japanese properties? Does anyone have an update? Or did they give up? Or, is Hollywood for the most part uninterested? I mean, there are thousands of properties in various states of development. And I'd love to see live, not CGI versions. Getting tired of that. It's okay to do a CGI Harlock or GE 999 but a live version before I die...please! And no more Japanese in wigs trying to fake Europe or America. Though some people go along with this and cite Chinese cast as Japanese that's not the same. I can't straighten my hair and fake like I am East Indian. Oh well, it's late and maybe I'm just spouting off...
Go see "Man if Steel" though. I think you'll like it....
I'm seeing this tomorrow morning, glad its apparently good. I was still having doubts.
Re: live-action versions of anime
Posted: Fri Jun 14, 2013 4:10 pm
by usamimi
I've heard mixed reviews so far. If I don't catch in theaters I'll definitely rent it at least, though.
Re: live-action versions of anime
Posted: Fri Jun 14, 2013 5:07 pm
by Animusubi
usamimi wrote:I totally agree! That's probably one of my favorite comic-based movies ever. Really well done, you could definitely tell the director wanted to make a faithful adaptation.

greg wrote:I just watched Scott Pilgrim vs. The World again last night. It's been a while. While it's not "anime" per se, this movie is a perfect example of how a live-action movie can remain faithful to the original source. I saw the movie first, then read the comics. (Actually, I lost track of reading the comics about ayear or so ago after I moved from my house. I should start over from the beginning and re-read it and finish it.) The DVD even has a feature that shows stills of the movie and compares it to the graphic novels. They are nearly frame for frame identical so often that it's amazing. Granted, it's obvious that Bryan Lee O'Malley had specific locations in Toronto in mind when he did the comics. Edgar Wright made the movie in conjunction with O'Malley, so even though the movie strays from the original story after the first fight, it still retains the same spirit. In some ways, the movie falls a bit short, like how it depicts Scott's relationship with Ramona as being a real drag and not so much the lovey dovey stuff that's in the comics, how it fails to elaborate on how Ramona is actually able to deliver packages for Amazon on roller skates by taking shortcuts through Scott's subconscious), and that they didn't put in near as many video game references (my favorite is when Scott doesn't want to get out of bed in the morning, and imagines being able to turn into a Morphing Ball from Metroid to go turn on the heater). But still, it is a fabulous movie and it actually gives me the chills at times.
I am the only one of my group of friends that liked this movie. I wanted to see it in theaters again after the first time we saw, but everyone thought it was too "hipster" or patronizing.

I didn't think it was either, and I loved the movie so much. I've read half of the comics, and they did a great adaptation of it, it's so close to the original! I really should pick it up on Blu Ray, I think it's pretty cheap now.
Re: live-action versions of anime
Posted: Fri Jun 14, 2013 6:09 pm
by _D_
Path wrote:_D_ wrote:Just came back from "Man of Steel" which is a VERY good film. And it got me to thinking what Japanese properties could make it in the broader international market? It just burns me up when sh!t like Dragonball Evolution gets made. Now, wasn't there a program that the Japanese government was trying to promote for Japanese properties? Does anyone have an update? Or did they give up? Or, is Hollywood for the most part uninterested? I mean, there are thousands of properties in various states of development. And I'd love to see live, not CGI versions. Getting tired of that. It's okay to do a CGI Harlock or GE 999 but a live version before I die...please! And no more Japanese in wigs trying to fake Europe or America. Though some people go along with this and cite Chinese cast as Japanese that's not the same. I can't straighten my hair and fake like I am East Indian. Oh well, it's late and maybe I'm just spouting off...
Go see "Man if Steel" though. I think you'll like it....
I'm seeing this tomorrow morning, glad its apparently good. I was still having doubts.
Just came back from it after going with my friends. Us adults loved it...the kids were pretty indifferent. The 15 year old said it was okay. The 10 year old didn't seem to get it.
Don't bother with the 3D. It wasn't filmed that way anyway. There is only 1 scene at the beginning that shows off the 3D anyway.