Paprika (2006)

[tabuno]

In comparison to Ratatouille, Paprika demonstrates that its not necessary to maintain the highest level of technological realism in order to present a decent and compelling animated feature film. Both films capture what is best in the animated medium from a rat to dreamscapes. However, unlike Ratatouille, Paprika is serious adult fare that incorporates a science fiction script that almost bubbles over with delicious surreal and fantastic imagery and animated effects that both reflect fantasy as well as reality (in animated form).

[oscar jubis]

I'm glad you enjoyed it. Paprika is one of the richest films released in 2007, both in terms of images and content. Perhaps a brief description of the premise will stir someone else's interest in watching it.

A woman named Atsuko is part of a company that offers a psychotherapy treatment using a dreamcatcher device. It's called the DC Mini and it allows the therapist to enter and explore the patient's subconscious. Paprika is the name of the teenage alter-ego Atsuko uses to enter the dream world. Someone steals one of the prototype DC Minis and begins using it as a weapon of psychological terrorism. Atsuko, a couple of colleagues, and a prominent client (a cop traumatized by his inability to solve a murder case) embark on a search for the mysterious thief/terrorist in parallel real and dream environments. The film becomes increasingly complex as the subconscious material from several individuals begins to merge and cross-pollinate into one giant collective delusion that threatens to supplant reality altogether.

Paprika is daringly ambitious film that can be enjoyed at surface level but rewards repeat viewings. The film touches on a number of issues having to do with the uses and ethics of technology, identity, the role of memory and dreams, etc.

Those who enjoy this film, should check out Satoshi Kon's three other adult anime features, particularly the wonderful Millenium Actress (http://www.filmwurld.com/forums/showthread.php?s=&postid=4245#post4245[i). They are available on dvd.

[cinemabon]

Like so many Japanese anime movies, "Paprika" tries to cram in nonsensical explanations for things while bombarding the senses with fantastic visuals, all the while titilating with sex and violence. Obviously, if this is the new standard in animation, then you don't need to make comparisons to "Ratatouille" because they are completely different.

Obviously, you are obsessed with visuals and not meaning... then you would be right, "Paprika" is visually stunning. But if Oscar would get off his ass and go see "Ratatouille," I believe he would see my point. Frankly, I got bored with "Paprika" 2006 (available in bootleg) and put it on fast forward, not to be confused with the 1990 soft core porn film of the same name.

[tabuno]

cinemabon Like so many Japanese anime movies, "Paprika" tries to cram in nonsensical explanations for things while bombarding the senses with fantastic visuals, all the while titilating with sex and violence. Obviously, if this is the new standard in animation, then you don't need to make comparisons to "Ratatouille" because they are completely different.

There was very little sex and violence compared to most anime that I've seen. Most children's anime has much more violence actually. The sex was all implicit and implied and never really seen. This movie was more about the tranposition, quite amazing actually between fantasy, dreaming, and reality and the blending experience was really well done and on the leading edge of science fiction which has yet to really be accomplished successfully in film though The Matrix and Dark City have been able to come close.. Cinemabon may have seen another movie or fast forwarded this movie so much that he missed the psychological and science fiction component that really makes this movie more believable than nonsensical. The same argument could be used with Ratatouille and being overly rated as setting some sort of standard because of its fantastic animated detail and human expressions but its contents don't really end up being that much more original than many other movies.

[oscar jubis]

Originally posted by cinemabon
Like so many Japanese anime movies, "Paprika" tries to cram in nonsensical explanations
It's science-fiction, meaning you have to be willing to go along with the idea that a machine has been invented which can make your dreams public and that others can project themselves onto your subconscious. My wife is not willing to entertain that premise, for instance. Perhaps Paprika is simply not her (and your) kind of movie.

all the while titilating with sex and violence.
There is one scene of sexualized violence that earned the film an "R" rating. Otherwise, Paprika is fairly restrained in this regard.


Obviously, you are obsessed with visuals and not meaning...
I already pointed out several issues of importance broached by the film. I probably didn't do so convincingly. There are also psychological aspects of the film, as pointed out by Tab, especially in terms of Atsuko's conservative scientist 30 year-old real self and her devil-may-care, risk-taking teen-heroine alter-ego.

if Oscar would get off his ass and go see "Ratatouille,"
There's no way I'm missing Ratatouille on the big screen (although other films I haven't seen will leave theaters way before this does). I'm a fan of Pixar animation and The Iron Giant and I expect to be thoroughly entertained.

Frankly, I got bored with "Paprika" 2006 (available in bootleg) and put it on fast forward
I appreciate your honesty.