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[Angels Egg R2 DVD box art]
AKA: 天使のたまご (Tenshi no Tamago)
Genre: Art film
Length: Movie, 71 minutes
Distributor: See notes
Content Rating: G (no objectionable content to speak of whatsoever), though I wouldn't recommend this for children, as they wouldn't get it at all.
Related Series: N/A
Also Recommended: Ghost in the Shell, Haibane Renmei, Night on the Galactic Railroad, Spring And Chaos
Notes: The North American license-holder, Anchor Bay Entertainment, has stated they are "unable to release" this movie, for reasons left unspecified. R2 DVD available from Tokuma Shoten.
Rating:

Angel's Egg

Synopsis

Angel's Egg is the story of a young girl and the egg she protects from her world. She meets a soldier who would change her entire existence. The rest of the story is left to the viewer to interpret.


Review

How does one review a movie like this? Angel's Egg is by far the single most confusing movie I have ever seen ... and yet I am compelled to like it. But why? Certainly you couldn't accuse this movie of being talky - it doesn't even clear ten lines of dialogue before the credits roll. But between the lines, what is this movie trying to say? Truly it is the most artsy anime I have ever seen - this movie makes Night on the Galactic Railroad and Tale of Genji look crass by comparison. But why?

The art and animation are simply beautiful, which is to be expected when you figure that it is the work of Amano Yoshitaka, known for Vampire Hunter D and Final Fantasy, as well as many others. Though this title is now fairly old, it's to the benefit of the *feel* of this movie. These characters dwell a world where it always rains, where the only elements seem to be wind, water, and stone - a world that seems to be dying - and it's frighteningly beautiful to behold. A world where apparitions dance across the stone walls of empty houses ... a world of eerie shadows and reflections. A world of pure surrealism.

And surreal is the perfect word to describe this movie. From the opening shots, which seem to evoke Salvador Dali, to the equally obtuse ending, this movie is an animated surrealistic work. To those familiar with the other works of Oshii Mamoru (Urusei Yatsura, Patlabor, Ghost in the Shell), the surreal is a familiar topic. But this goes way beyond any other movie or series he has had a hand in. No two people will see the same movie - it's so much up to the interpretation of the viewer. And you will probably end up asking more questions about the state of humanity than have them answered. This is a film that asks "Why?" without even coming close to an answer. But as an introspective piece of art, Angel's Egg is a true masterpiece.

A must, not just for fans of animation, but fans of film in general. However, for those who think anime is nothing but Dragon Ball Z or Pokemon, this will either go right over their heads - or be a *very* rude awakening. Carlos/Giancarla Ross

Recommended Audience: Hmmm...art film buffs and the like would really enjoy this, as would anyone who needs something for the brain to chew on. This film could be analyzed forever and a day and still remain a mystery. Needless to say, little kids (or those craving any sort of action) would do well to sit through any part of this film.



Version(s) Viewed: digital source
Review Status: Full (1/1)
Angel's Egg © 1985 Studio Deen / Tokuma Shoten
 
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