|
Feature Presentation:
Special thanks to Geneon Entertainment for sending a copy for a review for this site. Wow, it's the first ever Anime UMD release for the new PlayStation Portable (PSP) system out on the market & what a way to start it off with a movie is awesome, pack with actions, cool music that goes along with it. This version of the Appleseed is actually a remake from an old class back in the late 1980s. Not to mention this movie is completely done CGI! Though, the coolest part that is a mix of both the traditional Anime within a 3D environment. The mecha design are awesome. This movie also have a share of human connection to it: how human emotions can lead to destruction & chaos. The action started right off the back with stunning visual effect of the battle. Deunan Krute is fighting for survival in a all out war what is left on the city, against something that isn't human. When everything is almost lost in the battlefield, a group of unknown soldiers save her, though Deunan that they are just another enemy. She was captured or was she? Someone from her past, Briareos, has a duty to protect her & he brought her to a city of Olympus, humanity last hope. Learning from the war that ripped the world appart, the half of the city population is made out of Bioroids, engineered human that doesn't have emotions, to keep the peace. However, humans greatest enemy is still other humans, ruled by their emotions of hate towards Bioroids seek to destroy the peace. It's up to Deunan to uncover the secrets & hopefully save humanity from destroying itself.
Video:
Geneon Entertainment did a very great job. The movie is feature on Widescreen format, so it fits right on the spot on your PSP screen. There is some watermarking done, translating the credits to English. However, you won't get to have the original Japanese credit though. Since the movie is entirely done by CGI, it's almost perfect, crisp & clean. However, the UMD version is actually really smooth & I find no sign of any problems, except that due to the limitation of the UMD, you might noticed some slowness in some part of the movie that are high action pace, but it shouldn't effect the enjoyment of this awesome movie. Since the movie is on one single track on the UMD, there is no loading time or changing tracks when you move on to the next chapter. I do note that you can skip all those warnings & logos when you first load the UMD by just selection the "Menu" on your PSP. There is already a DVD out already, if you wish you see it on your TV!
Dubbing: English:
The dubbing is really very well done. The voices for Deunan & Briareos are the best, which really similar to the Japanese voices. It's about 90% of the original Japanese.
Audio 01: English 2.0:
No problem found. Recommended listening via headphones or an external speaker system.
Audio 02: Japanese 2.0:
No problem found. Recommended listening via headphones or an external speaker system.
Subtitle:
Geneon Entertainment have selected a great font, very easy to read, but as always, since the PSP has a small screen, you might have trouble reading it without looking closely. Of course, it varies from person to person. White is the prefer color for the regular subtitling & Japanese signs & text. There is only one subtitling track, which is for the Japanese dialogue. There isn't any subtitling for the vocal music as they are all English.
Menu Option:
The menu is also in widescreen format, fits right on the PSP screen. The menu is really cool, you get to see the battle scene that starts off the movie, though you should really hit Play soon so it doesn't spoiled the action! There is the "Play", "Audio Setup", "Subtitle Setup" & "Previews". Selecting any of the options will make a little animation, like you're in a virtual computer. The background music is one of the battle music.
UMD Extras:
Even there is a section for extras, there isn't really any extras, just trailers for other Anime releases. This might be due that, well, UMD discs have a limited space, so you're pretty much stuck with none.
Packaging:
The package is almost the same as the DVD release, if you have seen it or own it. On the cover, you see Briareos holding Deunan with a firing background. In the back, you see some screenshots from the movie with a close up of Deunan. The insert is simple, just all the chapters listing & for all you new to your PSP, there is instructions how to work your first Anime UMD! On the UMD disc itself, you get a close up of Deunan. Since the UMD disc case is a clear one, you get to see a war zone of a city!
Overall UMD Rating:
There are moments you will feel your heart race with the breathtaking action. This movie is just awesome, bring the best of both worlds, traditional Anime style with a 3D environment. It's a perfect blend. Check it out & you will see what I mean. It's going to be a blast, so sit back & enjoy. By now, most of you have seen the DVD version, so if you love that movie enough, this is perfect to bring along with your PSP to watch during long trip! For all who have not, this is a perfect addition to your UMD collection!
| 
