Desert Punk

From Zanecorpwiki

Highly recommended, but you may not like it. DVD.

Summary

The raunchy script and fixation on breasts and low brow humor belie the sophistication and deep underlying tension that only become clear about half way through the series. Desert Punk appears to be a simple action story with gung-ho characters and a lot of T&A references, yet it also incorporates one of the boldest and most interesting protagonists I've ever seen in a film.

Both facets of the series will alienate some viewers, but for myself, I found the combination both unexpected and praiseworthy. It's this kind of narrative boldness which makes anime so interesting.

Plus, I love the post-apocalyptic, cyberpunk aspects.

Details and Notes

Most of the professional/institutional reviews I've found have been positive, but the forum mentions I've found have not been positive. Why? Well, to be honest I'm a huge anime fan but have never found much in common with the "anime crowd" on forums, at conventions, etc.

I haven't bothered, nor am I terribly interested in delving the broad factors of this difference, but in the case of this movie, I suspect that the low brow nature of the superficial structure turns off those that seek intellectualized, stoic, sophisticated narratives.

Spoiler alert.

The choice of a villain (one eventually learns) as protagonist does make for a sophisticated, interesting narrative tension, but may alienate those wanting something simple, fun, and raunchy. For myself, it's the artful combination of these two contrasting components that's the great thing.