Vexille (2007)Sci-Fi/Action/Animation; Japan
109 minutes
If you were as dissappointed with "Appleseed Ex Machina" as I was, then "Vexille" might just be the fix you've been looking for. This is one of those CGI animes in the vein of the awesome "Appleseed" remake, so if you're not into that, then don't bother checking this one out. The quality is slightly improved from the sometimes clunky looking "Appleseed", but it's still got that cartoony, cell-shaded look to it. I personally enjoy it, so whatever...works fine for me.
What separates "Vexille" from the pack is that the concept is pretty interesting and something we haven't really seen before. Set in 2077, Japan has completely isolated themselves from the rest of the world after the UN issues a ban on the research and development of cybernetics that the country does not wish to take part in. No one has visited for decades, they've deported all foreigners and they've set up an electromagnetic field around the island to shield from probing satellites and spy planes. Nobody knows what the hell is going on over there, basically. I won't spoil it for you, but it's a pretty drastic change.
"Vexille" is your standard "resistance" story at it's core, but there are some cool ideas in there, some great action and some stunning visuals that help propell it slightly above the level of mediocrity that has pretty much become standard in all sci-fi/action movies lately - foreign or not. That said, it's not perfect by a long shot. There are some less interesting parts and not much in the way of character development or poinient dialog, but that's not really what they're aiming for either, so I can't slag them off too much for it.
NOTE: as with any anime recommended on this site - watch the fucking subtitled version please. Dubbed anime is unforgivable.
Give this some time if you're into: Appleseed or Appleseed Ex Machina, Metal Gear Solid, mechs, androids, high-tech futurism, Bubblegum Crisis
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