RETURNER

Anyway, watching the film you’d be counting off the, ahem, “influences” one by one: The Matrix, The Terminator, E.T., Independence Day and so forth. Not particularly original then, but Returner boasts some nice special effects and a fresh-faced cast not creaking at the sides of age like a certain bodybuilder-turned-governor of California. Returner tends to drag slightly from the midsection on (the movie is just too long) but it would make a decent rental for a slow night, or as part of a double bill. Maybe along with that other paragon of originality, Equilibrium. You’ll certainly be getting the action movie fix that the recent Terminator 3 – Rise of the Machines and the Matrix sequels couldn’t deliver on. Besides, the plot - although crammed with subplots – is more comprehensible than The Matrix Revolutions . . .

THE DISC: This is the Region 2 and 5 disc. If you’re a purist, you can watch the movie in its cinematic wide screen aspect ration with its original Japanese soundtrack with English subtitles. I didn’t, opting for the English language soundtrack instead – hey, we’re not talking Kurosawa here after all. Besides, the English dub is actually quite good.

In the line of extra features you get . . . some trailers. Besides a trailer for this movie, there are also trailers for Cowboy Bebop – the Movie and Terminator 3.

WORTH IT? Not a particularly great disc, but not bad either. A bit like the movie itself.

RECOMMENDATION: Returner is a live-action anime movie for all intents and purposes. Not particularly original, anime fans and action movie junkies still ought to check it out for undemanding viewing. Rent it.

Part of the
Cold Fusion
Alien Invasion
Video Binge