Gankutsuou: The Count of Monte Cristo - The Complete Seriesby Sheena McNeilReviews may contain information that could be considered 'spoilers'. Readers should proceed at their own risk. Studio
Credits Grade: 9 Gankutsuou: The Count of Monte Cristo is a sci-fi adaptation of the novel Le Count de Monte Cristo by Alexandre Dumas with a gothic flair. This unusual rendition is provided by Studio GONZO (Blue Submarine No. 6, Hellsing) and director Mahiro MAeda (Blue Submarine No. 6, The Animatrix). Albert and Franz travel to Luna (a festive city on the moon) where they meet and befriend The Count of Monte Cristo. The Count helps Franz rescue Albert who has been kidnapped by bandits led by the infamous Luigi Vampa. Albert and Franz return to Paris, France, Earth and a few months later the Count moves to Paris. He uses Albert as his intermediary into society ... so he can extract his revenge on those who took the few things he held precious including his love, Albert's mother (and she recognizes him!).The visuals are very psychadelic with the textures of everything from backgrounds, to hair and clothing beinga dazzling array of CG effects. Clothing especially seems to all blend and never stop moving as the various efffects overlap. Very, very psychadelic ... with odd colors and patterns as well. It takes a lot of getting use to, but once you do, it adds a little mysticism to the story. It works best in the Carnival on Luna rather than every day affairs on Earth, but at the same time it plays well with the aristocratics' luxery. And I do like the effect it has on the Count's hair. "Gankutsuou" means "The Ruler of the Cave" and plays with the vampiristic elements in the story as well as the Count's strange powers. I LOVE the opening theme song, We Were Lovers. It is soft and pleasant yet tinged with infinite sadness. Both the opening and closing songs (performed in English) and much of the incidental music is written and performed by Jean-Jacques Burnel of the English rock group, The Stranglers. The opening song overlays a beautiful, dream-like scenareo which has an antiqued/sketched look to it as it flows across the screen in browns and rust-reds and blacks. The end is much more upbeat and makes use of the crazy colors and tone of the anime. The sub and dub are both excellent, though I lean a bit more towards the sub. One thing I did enjoy about the sub that the dub lacks is the Count giving the opening to each episode in French (the dub just leaves it as English). Extras including on this DVD are storyboards of Act 1, an interview with the director, and commentary by the Japanese seiyuu as well as a promotional trailer and textless opening and closing. Gankutsuou is a very unusual anime as is, and makes for one of the strangest adaptations of a classic novel I've seen. Other than having a sci-fi, vampire, fantasy theme, it is thus far doing an admirable job of providing a new and entertaining look at a wonderful story. I look forward to where Maeda takes this adaptation as well as more on the Count's strange powers. Weird, yet highly enjoyable with mystery, intrigue, and a little violence. Written: November 27, 2005
|
|
|
Home |
Features |
Columns |
Culture Vultures |
Report Card
Indicia | Contact | Archives © Sequential Tart, 1998 – 2021 |
