Paprika (2006/Blu-ray/Animé feature film)

Picture: A-     Sound: A-     Extras: C+     Film: B+

 

 

If you can see into people's dreams what will you find?  Paprika.  In a place where reality and dreams meet, the story of Paprika begins when a revolutionary machine is invented allowing others to view, join and record the dreams of the mind...  But when the prototypes get stolen someone begins to invade into the dreams of others and begins to destroy their minds.  As Paprika dives deeper into the dream looking for clues the dreams becomes more dangerous.  And soon reality becomes a burr and the two worlds begin to collide.  What is real and what is awake?  Just when they think they find the end, it turns out to be another dream begins...  As Paprika joins Chiba and Tokita their dreams crossover from one to another, together can they find the missing clues and the answer to the mystery?  Or will they be trapped in the dream world forever?

With stunning graphics, CG and animation, Paprika takes the viewer into an amazing world of dreams, realities and landscapes.  In a story where fairytales, dreams, and movies are brought to life it spins a fantastic story of the human mind and its nature.  Helmed by Director Satoski Kon, the film (like a comic book series) has amazing impact and twist, for those who have seen Millennium Actress or Perfect Blue the viewers will not be disappointed.

This is awesome Animé movie, making tons of references to well know popular movies within the dream world if you recognize the scenes from Roman Holiday, Tarzan and a few other famous movies and fairytales.  It is one of those psychological movies that play with the mind of its viewers and characters, exploring both conscious and unconscious mind as well as the dark and light within the human soul.  As the story unravels the story telling is like The Usual Suspects in where give you all the clues but the final missing piece is revealed at the end, which is a nice change for Animé fans.

 

The 1080p 1.85 X 1 digital High Definition image is clean, nicely defined and color-rich, despite the use of CG animation interspersed throughout.  The hand drawn shots are especially impressive, the two style blend very well the majority of the time, color is solid, depth is good and deep blacks and pretty ivory whites can be impressive.  The Dolby TrueHD 5.1 mix is in both English and Japanese and both versions are pretty decent, though both (almost as if this were old magnetic tape minus the hiss) have dialogue that seems to force the other sounds (music, sound effects) lower.  It is an odd throwback, but important to note.

 

Extras include a making of featurette, storyboard comparisons, filmmaker commentary, animatics and a conversation about the "Dream" in the film.  Sony is serious, especially with Geneon out of business, of making their mark in the Animé world.  This cannot hurt that cause.

 

 

-   Ricky Chiang