Viewed in
2007
Premise
An machine that allows a person to enter another's dreams is stolen. All hell breaks loose when dreams start to behave on their own.
Who should watch
Those who like trippy animation. Satoshi Kon fans.
Thoughts
Ever since 'Akira', trippy anime movies had the same qualities. The plot usually existed like a clothesline for the animators to display mind-bending, creative and disturbing images. Characters were as much spectators as the audience. The female body symbolized something greater than human, yet at the same time used for titalation. After jerking the audience around for no rhyme or reason, a character gave an obligatory pretentious monologue about the meaning of life as justification for these individual trippy scenes.
This movie had the same qualities, but did it better than most. As usual, the animation was just inspiring. I really liked to vibrant colors and extensive detail, which was quite different compared to most Satoshi Kon works. However, the individual scenes seemed to exist for the sake of blowing the audience's mind than for the sake of the story. While the story was bland, it did not jerk the audience around, and the story was easy to follow. I was able to tell if I was in a dream sequence or not.
As an anime fan, it was enjoyable. However, if you want to experience trippy anime with a good story, I recommend 'Spirited Away'.
What I would change
Find a way to better explain what the dreams meant.
