Robot Carnival
by Takashi Nakamura, K?ji Morimoto, Hiroyuki Kitazume
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Product details
Actor: Aya Murata, Keiko Hanagata, Koji Moritsugu, Kumiko Takizawa, Yayoi MakiDirector: Hiroyuki Kitazume, K?ji Morimoto, Takashi Nakamura
Edition: VHS Tape
Audio: English (Dubbed)
Format: Animated, Color, NTSC, Original recording reissued
Running Time: 90 minutes
Release Date: 1993-08-01
Audience Rating: NR (Not Rated)
Publisher: Best Film And Video
Studio: Best Film And Video
VHS Movie Reviews of Robot Carnival
Movie Review: Great little treasure
Summary: 5 Stars
In the early 90s, the most widely available anime titles were released stateside through Streamline Pictures, largely thanks to Carl Maceck, who had much to do with the Americanized version of Macross, Mospeada, and Southern Cross in the form of Robotech. If you weren't exposed to anime in the underground world of fansubs and comic cons, then along with Robotech, you probably saw Vampire Hunter D, Akira, and this little jewel. Of the aformentioned titles, it's the only one not on DVD in the USA.
That's a shame too, because it's such a beautiful piece of work, featuring short segments by several directors. Even though it was early in the US popularity of anime, this was a different piece compared to anything else that had been released thus far. It wasn't the sci fi soap opera of Robotech nor the overly violent fare associated with Akira and Vampire Hunter D. Rather it was an anthology of gently created pieces that all had one thing in common - another great Japanese past time - Robots!
But these aren't robot sci fi stories in the traditional sense. Deprive, featuring a robot/humanoid a la Terminator, is the only one that comes close. The rest of the segments seem to have a rather warm feel with the possible unifying theme of man's relationship with robots. The creators choose interesting settings, as in a Tale of Two Robots, which features two opposing sides, Japan and a foreigner (who speaks English, but sounds like he has a German accent - and that's from the Japanese version) seems to take place in the past and both sides are using these wooden, mechanized robots, working when people turn wheels to make them walk and operate manual gears to move them. Another, "Prescence" involves Androids, but looks more like Victorian England and involves a toymaker who creates an android for companionship because he doesn't feel it with his family, yet guiltily destroys it.
But that just scratches the surface. Everything in here is brilliant and some of the design on it is better than anything that has since come out of Japan, just on the basis of pure creativity. To top it off, this boasts an incredible soundtrack. As would be fitting for a movie about robots, it's a largely electronic based scores. The melodies in "Cloud" and "Prescence" stand out, as they are simple, soft, haunting, and endlessly captivating.
That this has been out of print for so long is criminal, surely the result of a copyright snafu somewhere. If you long for it, though, there are two official out of print versions from Japan and Korea and in print version available in France (available from Amazon French website).
Movie Review: No other anime video quite like it.
Summary: 4 Stars
In 2003, I was able to buy this on DVD in a West-coast Chinatown. It was probably an unlicenced Taiwanese DVD, but since only a few of the segments need subtitles this is not a problem. Picture and sound quality are good enough, tho not outstanding for a commercial product.
I won't repeat what the other reviewers have said about Robot Carnival. It's a totally unique anime sampler that has never been duplicated. Every anime fan should see it. One interesting bit of trivia I have never seen any other reviewer mention: has anyone noticed that the strange hulking buildings built by the robots in the next-to-last segment also appear in the background of some of the earlier parts? It's a sort of visual connection between some of the separate stories. I suspect there are some other visual "Easter eggs" lurking in the various shorts. There are also some interesting stills toward the end about the history of the "Robot Carnival" war machine - the viewer has to interpret what they mean.
What other sci-fi feature, anime or otherwise, has such unique features?
THe Taiwanese DVD is worth searching for.
Movie Review: One of my all time favorites
Summary: 5 Stars
This is one Japanimation feature i cherish, though i havent seen it in some years. I can't forget how much i loved watching it, especially the story called "PRESENCE", which is about a family man who has been building and tinkering with a robot, amongst other things. An escape from the hustle and all together cold bustle of the town, the demands of work, "friends" , and his wife/company women...who seems less attentive perhaps to the family now, and to things like cooking the soup the way she used to.
My description doesnt do the little story justice, becouse it is a beautifully animated short film, that has such emotional complexity in places. With finely done background music, which also is beautifull, in a kind of meloncholic way.
This movie is one of the first anime i ever really layed eyes on and experienced. It has other short films on it as well.
All dealing with the relation between man and machine. Its an anthology of storys done by some high profile anime artists, i believe.
I guess its sort of like an art film in a way. Its definatly interesting, you get to see lots of different takes on the theme, from comedy, to drama , action , i think a little romance is in here somewheres.
Would this be worth buying ? Yes... and if it were on DVD!
I have a hunch they are going to put this on dvd, but i dont know when. Anyone who loves Robot Carnival should maybe create a petition to bring about some awareness to the powers that be...showing them that there are indeed people out there that desire to see it again and to own it.
Out of all the anime put on dvd, im sure this one can't be overlooked. It better not be. Or one of us is going to find a copy of the VHS, and burn it on to DVD and sell it on eBay!!!
Ya, dont even dare to neglect such a beloved film as Robot Carnival. Some of us actually remember it, and love it.
I cant wait till they bring this on DVD. Until then ill be searching around for bootlegs and rare vhs copies.
Movie Review: A Forgotten Favorite!
Summary: 5 Stars
These animated shorts are some of the best anime I've ever seen. I have the LaserDisc version of Robot Carnival. Unfortunately my player died a few years ago and I'm anxious to see it once again. Hopefully, it'll be re-released in DVD.Movie Review: My gateway into anime
Summary: 5 Stars
ROBOT CARNIVAL is what brought me into the world of anime. Back in 1988, after watching countless reruns of Robotech, I was ready to either move up or move on. I went to a comic book convention that happened to have an anime room. Inbetween programs like Those Obnoxious Aliens and Dirty Pair, they showed segments of Robot Carnival individually. I was absolutely stunned. None of the other shows, even though they were excellent, could hold my attention like the brief shorts Robot Carnival contains.Many of the other reviews will tell you the basics of the movie, which combines several short films that just happen to have robots in them. All but two have no dialogue. "Deprive" is a straightforward action romp. One, "Cloud", is a metaphysical journey through the skies. Still another, "A Tale of Two Robots", is about as hysterical as any anime you'll ever see.
However, the clear winner of the set (worth every penny you'll pay for this out-of-print video) is "Presence". A man works on a robotic girl for years, tinkering and testing, all while keeping up a family and outer appearances. The robot is a toy to him. But as she learns and grows, she becomes almost real...too real. He makes a harrowing decision that haunts him the rest of his life. Not only is it possibly the most beautifully animated film I've ever seen, it says volumes with just simple glances and aside shots. Director Yasuomi Umetsu has yet to come up with another film even 1/10th as powerful as his masterpiece on display here. If you liked Steven Spielberg's A.I. (or at least the ideas at play), you owe it to yourself to see this take on robots that are just a bit too human.
Unfortunately, the old American release by Streamline is not perfect. They place the shorts out of the original release order; the Japanese version has more clarity in the way the shorts are positioned. The English dialogue is serviceable, but a subtitled DVD would be much appreciated.
Finally, this movie requires some effort. Some shorts are no-brainers, but a few really require you to think. A couple can make you cry. It's a deceptively simple package that holds a lot more than what appears on first glance.
After watching thousands of hours worth of anime and running a website with over 400 anime reviews, I can safely say this: Robot Carnival is easily one of the very best movies ever made, animated or otherwise.
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