Name: X (english) (71.25% in 8 votes)
Type: ANIME
Platform: VHS/VCD
Company: Clamp
Release date: 2000
Reviewed by: KurenaiJiku
Allow me to stop barfing from the poor translation and dub that Manga did for X. But since I won't be able to stop, I'll just have to write this review while spewing tons after tons of puke all over my computer. I can't say enough that the English dubbing destroyed the ambience of X. It was able to explain the story a slight more thoroughly compared to what I've seen of X, but it sacrificed much of the darkness of the film. As we all know, X isn't a film about Anime chicks or explosive action. It's probably one of the most mentally disturbing Animes right up there with Evangelion.
What was funny about the film is that they didn't translate the opening credits, nor did they translate the Japanese subtitles that appeared in the film. People started off by wondering what the heck was going; they were almost convinced that they entered the wrong theatre. So I sat there and watched a very horrifying experience. There was a lot of extra dialogue which wasn't in the Japanese one, and it there for only one reason. It was to explain the film's vagueness to the audiences which couldn't think for themselves. This ruined the mystery of the film. I believe that in the future, most Animes would be translated like this because western society is so conditioned in such a way, that everything must be spoon fed. I hope that they resolve this in the future; because if Anime is continually imported in such a way, Anime will definitely lose more than half of it's impact.
All of the music was retained, including X Japan's; Forever Love, at the end of the film. Only the dialogue was translated. However, what bakes me is that they didn't do a complete translation, yet they add all the extra stuff they shouldn't have which ruined the film. I walked out of the theatre feeling very empty. Perhaps because many of the people in the theatre were either laughing at the dubbing, the very oriental storyline, or the intended sadness of the film which you could have thought to be sappy. But the film didn't feel complete.
If you haven't heard the story before, here's a brief rundown. A young man named Kamui is told by him mother that he must return to Tokyo to fulfill his destiny. Shocked and confused, Kamui rushes home to see his best friend and his sister; Fuma and Katori. The story unfolds as Kamui, Fuma and Katori are thrown into a psychic battle between two factions known as Heaven and Earth. Kamui then begins to see dreams of a girl named Hinoto, who then explains that the world is in danger and he is the one that possesses powers to save the world. Kamui doesn't believe in this mysterious vision and stands idle as the Tokyo is destroyed, and his newly found friends are slaughtered by evil powers. He must then find out what is the true meaning of his destiny.
The movie is really all about destiny and how a person's actions can affect the overall result of the future. It also debates about the value of humanity; whether humanity is truly a waste of space on Earth, or do we actually contribute to mother nature. It's a philosophical battle at some times of the movie, but I found that they tend to be a bit verbose about what the future may or may not be like. I wish they would have developed the overall plot a slight more, which would have given each of the characters a bit more dignity.
After watching the movie in the theatres, on VCD, and on VHS, I'm highly inclined to get it on DVD so I'll have access to multiple language tracks. Rather than listening to the annoyingly stupid English dub, I'll cherish the day I'll get to watch it English subtitled with Japanese voices, and DVD quality visuals and sound to boot.
Artwork (technical) - 5/5
Artwork (creative) - 5/5
Animation (technical) - 4.5/5
Animation (creative) - 4.5/5
Audio (technical) - 4/5
Audio (creative) - 3/5
Implementation - 4/5
Ambience - 3.5/5
Continuity - n/a
Plot - 3.5/5
Fun Factor - 3.5/5
Overall Value - 4/5
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