From: Sony Pictures Average Rating: Aspect Ratio: 1.85:1 Audience Rating: R (Restricted) Binding: Blu-ray Format: AC-3, Animated, Color, Dolby, Dubbed, Subtitled, Widescreen Label: Sony Pictures Number of Items: 1 Region Code: 1 Release Date: November 27, 2007 Running Time: 90 minutes Theatrical Release Date: 2006
Amazon.com: Based on a novel by the noted Japanese science fiction writer Yasutaka Tsutui, the brilliant and unsettling feature Paprika continues director Satoshi Kon's exploration of the disturbingly permeable boundaries between dreams and reality. Techno-geek Kosaku Tokita invented the DC Mini to allow therapists to enter a patient's dreams and explore his unconscious, but an evil cabal uses the Mini to create a mass nightmare that causes multiple suicides. Psychotherapist Atsuko Chiba uses her alter-identity, "dream detective" Paprika, to intervene. Entering the nightmare, she witness a bizarre parade of appliances, toys, and kitsch objects: All of her intelligence and imagination are needed to escape this nightmare and its perpetrators. As he did in Millennium Actress and Paranoia Agent, Kon effortlessly carries the audience between reality and fantasy, confirming his reputation as one of the most talented and interesting directors working in animation today. (Rated R: violence, violence against women, grotesque imagery, alcohol and tobacco use) --Charles Solomon
Product Description: Prepare to enter the realm of fantasy and imagination where reality and dreams collide in a kaleidoscopic mindscape of sheer visual genius. The magical tale centers on a revolutionary machine that allows scientists to enter and record a subject's dream. After being stolen, a fearless detective and brilliant therapist join forces to recover the device before it falls into the hands of a dream terrorist in this gripping anime thriller from acclaimed director Satoshi Kon.
A mindbender but a grower One of the more lovelier things about the realm of Japanese animation is its sense of variety. American animation by contrast tends to be focused on younger audiences and those looking for more adult storylines have to go elsewhere. While the name Hayao Miyazaki has become an increasing presence among anime and animation fans in general, another name has been generating interest and he's Satoshi Kon. Responsible for Perfect Blue, Tokyo Godfathers and the Paranoia Agent TV series, Kon's stories tend to be a little bit more abstract and a bit more heavier in terms of story but like I said, variety is very much welcome in the anime field. With his latest, Paprika, Kon offers a story that's just as convoluted as Perfect Blue but enough visual eye candy to compete with the best of them.
In the near future, a new device called the DC Mini has been used to interact with patients and their dreams and offer a bit of analysis but the device hasn't been approved by the government. Head of the team, Dr. Atsuko Chiba has been using the device illegally and after helping Detective Konakawa with his recurring dream, the team's horrified to learn that 3 DC Mini's have been stolen and since programming that restricts who uses the devices haven't been installed, the thief can infiltrate anyone's dreams and cause mischief. With Konakawa and Tokita, the device's inventor, Atsuko uses her dream persona "Paprika" to figure out who stole the devices as dreams and reality gradually begin to merge.
Describing the plot of Paprika is just as difficult as watching it. Unlike Tokyo Godfathers which was fairly easy to grasp, the story behind Paprika requires utmost attention and this isn't one of those films where you can just leave it running while you do homework or clean a bit, occasionally glancing at the screen. My first viewing I was ready to label it a huge disappointment which was a far cry from Perfect Blue which on one hand I didn't understand but still enjoyed; Paprika left me with a huge case of the "what the ****s?" Second viewing I understood way more and the slowness of the story all but vanished. This film requires more than one watch to fully wrap your head around it.
Whether hand drawn or computer animated, the artists who work in Japan whether on television shows or films are incredibly talented and Paprika is another example that people shouldn't just give up on hand-drawn animation too quickly. With bright visuals, a large mixture of colors and some impressive scenes such as the parade scenes, a chase or tons of butterflies), Paprika is easily one of Kon's more visually busy films (though I prefer the painting-esque feel of Tokyo Godfathers). The transfer also brings the visuals justice as the clarity and the vibrancy gives this film a sight-for-sight-eyes look.
Paprika is kind of a hard film to recommend since opinions will vary depending on whether you got it and whether you just didn't care for it but also based on Kon's previous films, this film might not be the choice for a "starter". For those looking to start on his films, I'd recommend Tokyo Godfathers and if you're a fan, work on this or the underrated Millennium Actress. But Paprika is definately worth a look but it's whether or not you'll love it that makes it a strange selection.
Mindbending! I first saw this film in Manhattan. I wasn't really there to see it, I just picked it at random. It's the sort of film that shows you just how far ahead in the animation business the Japanese really are, especially compared to us Americans. The film is strongly character driven, which is important because many of it's scenes use dream sequences, and dream logic depends strongly on the characters involved in it. It's deep, involving, and has quite a few unexpected twists before the end. I recommend this film to everyone.
The Perfect Manga Like Perfect Blue, Paprika is a cross between fantasy and psychological drama. At the same time this is ground breaking Manga animation and the visuals blow away most of the competition. For many this could well be the best Manga they have ever seen and that is not an overstatement. There are scenes in this film that propel you into it headfirst plus it has lots of David Lynch style story strands.
The story is about a new device on the market, the DC Mini, which allows people to see their dreams and enter the dreams of others. It isn't long before people start to go insane and commit crimes. A hacker has penetrated the system and seeks to control the world by driving it mad.
Chiba, Tokita, and Shima try to uncover the deadly mastermind behind the chaos along with Detective Kogawa Toshimi and a fantasy character created in the dream world called Paprika. Soon dreams and the world start to merge as one and final Armageddon looms in the horizon where someone can actually dream a god into being.
A "Perfect Blue" Companion From the Same director's mind who created the brilliant "Perfect Blue" movie, Animes Alfred Hitchcock of movies comes this wildly trippy story that has a futuristic concept that fuels the craziness. If you liked "Perfect Blue", this is also a movie to check out. -If you haven't seen "Perfect Blue", you need to watch that too!
Restored my faith in Anime I've been looking for a good anime for a very long time and just could not find one, until I found Paprika. Satoshi Kon is one of the best anime directors out there and has an amazing ability to suck you right into the story line. The immagry is beautiful, while the plot is given equally good detail and attention. I'd recommend it to anyone.
Anything Goes Trivia
Trevor
Megaton Man
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