Metropolis (2002)

Alternately titled "Osamu Tezuka's Metropolis"

But is not an adaptation or remake of the 20's movie of the same title, yet it shares a common theme: The rise of the city to the detriment of humanity.

Basically, in this anime world, robots live freely among humans, working a variety of jobs, from menial to life-saving. However, their mobility is strictly regimented, and they are, in fact, slave labour.

A Japanese detective and his nephew come to town to track down a scientist wanted for crimes in Japan. Unbeknownst to them, the scientist is working for a military leader who both has created a vehemently anti-robot political party AND is staging a military coup.

Oh yeah, the twisted aspect is this: Duke Red (the aforementioned militar), while being anti-robot, is using the scientist to create the ultimate robot (in the form of a blond little girl) to help him rule the world.

OK, so we have the grand themes: When does consciousness (self-awareness) begin? What makes us "truly" human? and the well-known theme that the lust for power brings out the worst in humanity, and eventually leads to its own destruction.

The best parts of the movie are the little boy talking to the little girl, trying to teach her basic ideas and forms of linguistic structure. That, and the destruction scenes, which are simply visually stunning. That was nice.

Parts of the setting at times reminded me of the cartoon Anastasia, for some reason. Maybe giant steps covered in snow just looks like Russia to me, who knows?

That, and one last question: Why is it that when people want to create the mood of "festive decadence," they use Dixieland Jazz music?

That could be an essay in and of itself: different musical styles and what they inherently symbolize.

Until then . . .

VG