# X (1996)

### reviewed by
Eugene Novikov

    X(1996/2000)
    Reviewed by Eugene Novikov
    http://www.ultimate-movie.com/
    Member: Online Film Critics Society

Directed by Rintaro. Unrated (would be rated R due to strong, pervasive animated violence and nudity).

I am not at all an anime (adult Japanese animation) aficionado; I have seen very little and what I have seen has not particularly enthused me. But here, at long last, is an anime I can get excited about. X, made in 1996 and only now getting to America, is complex, rather confusing but outrageously exciting all the same. It's an apocalyptic vision, superficially not unlike End of Days, except that it has an interesting plot that actually makes some sense. Though at times hampered by awkward dialogue and less-than-fluid action sequences, X remains a riveting adult science fiction adventure.

At the center of the story is a young man named Kamui. In a dream he sees his deceased mother, who tells him to go to Tokyo, though she doesn't specify why. Curious, he follows her advice and goes to the city. Once there, he seeks out his best friend Fuma and his sister Kotori. In the meantime, a mysterious Oracle visits him in his dreams. She tells him the story of the Dragon of the Earth and the Dragon of Heaven, two opposing armies who are about to fight the final battle for the future of the planet. If the Dragon of the Earth wins, mankind will be wiped out and the planet will be cleansed of the species that, in their constant effort to better their lifestyle, destroyed it. If the Dragon of Heaven wins, mankind -- and the city of Tokyo -- will be saved.

The kicker is that Kamui, whose name stands for "Power of God," has the power to decide the outcome of the war by siding with one of the armies. The Oracle and her group of mankind supporters urge Kamui to side with the Dragon of Heaven but the Oracle's evil sister has other plans. She recruits Fuma, who is rumored to have the exact same powers as Kamui and tells him that whatever Dragon Kamui becomes, Fuma must become the other. Their Destiny is Preordained (that is actually one of the versions of the title); they must fight each other to the death.

The movie is brief, fast and furious. It rarely stops to explain anything and if you get lost, you're left behind. But if you pay attention and take a couple of small steps into suspension of disbelief, X becomes an immensely satisfying experience. The plot is farfetched, yes, but it's also utterly engrossing; we don't just see our planet being put at risk, we care. The plot moves along so fast that if something in it becomes unclear the best thing to do is forget about it and concentrate on what's on-screen because otherwise you lose track. That can happen at any moment and yet I was involved enough in the story that I tried desperately (and, thank God, was ultimately successful) to keep it together in my mind. That has to be a good sign.

Another good aspect of the storyline is the idea of two friends pitted against each other by insurmountable fate. The idea is not a new one, but it still manages to be effective pathos when done correctly. Helped out tremendously by a poignant ending, X manages to turn the tables, avoid the formulas and weave a compelling human story into a kinetic science fiction thriller.

The film is not without its problems. Japanese must be a very difficult language to translate because the few animes that I have seen have all featured very awkward dialogue. Perhaps it's the culture difference, I don't know. With a plot as feverishly fast as this one, you tend not to care about the authenticity of the dialogue, but some conversations are so cringe-worthy, you can't help but notice. It's also worth mentioning that some of the action sequences are a little confusing, with explosions everywhere and people jumping all over the place, making it hard to keep track of what exactly is going on.

If you go see X, do not buy a beverage. If you have to go to the bathroom, you might as well not come back. It will most likely take all of your concentration to keep up with the movie, but it will be worth it.

    Grade: A-

    ©2000 Eugene Novikov

    Sent via Deja.com http://www.deja.com/
    Before you buy.

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