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Linebarrels Of Iron DVD Review

Linebarrels Of Iron DVDDirectors: Masamitsu Hidaka

Starring: Tetsuya Kakihara, Josh Grelle, Mamiko Noto, Alexis Tipton, Aya Hirano,Monica Rial, Biichi Satou, Bob Carter, Chiwa Saito, Tia Ballard, Emi Shinohara, Michelle Specht,

 Running Time: 650 minutes

Certificate: 15

LINEBARRELS OF IRON is another anime entry in the ‘gifted youngster discovers power to battle evil’ genre, and to some this may sound like yet another retread. And although that is certainly true for some aspects of the show, it actually starts off as a very brave and complex show. Set in a world where giant mechs help to protect freedom from invading forces, we start our journey with Koichi, a downtrodden high school student. Koichi believes he has great power, but until that power shows itself he is quite happy to appease his bullies. The beginning starts with a very suspenseful sequence in which Koichi’s world and that of the mechs approach each other at a well-timed pace. From this opening we clearly see a personal story surrounded by a big international conspiracy.

After an encounter with one of the huge robots, Koichi learns he really does have power and is able to control one of the mechs known as Linebarrel. This mixes Koichi’s fantasy with reality and he couldn’t be happier. Where the show differs however, is that Koichi is a very flawed character. Many anime heroes are just perfect idealists with clear moral standing. Koichi on the other hand is exactly how you would imagine a teenager with a sudden surge in power would be. He becomes selfish and arrogant. His former bullies are now his slaves and he fails to give his friends respect. Koichi even gets to the point where he believes he can be the soul protector of the city and fights off those that wish to help him. It makes the show a difficult but unforgettable viewing experience, as the supposed hero is simply a brat.

What starts off as a great genre spin soon settles for mediocrity. After a shocking moment, which should have heightened all emotions and moved the plot to darker territory, LINEBARRELS OF IRON becomes a generic and forgettable anime. All the female characters are reduced to comedic folly and sex objects, with slapstick, boob sizes, and misconstrued nudity placed front and centre. Koichi instantly turns his character around and becomes the dull hero you expect from such shows. It’s a huge shame to see a show that was daring to be different, suddenly become undistinguishable from so many other action anime.

The show does pick up again after another shock to the system, but once again rests on its laurels. Even when playing it safe the animation is fantastic. It is a rare case where CG and traditional animation blend beautifully. The mechs are gorgeously designed, seeming both cold and majestic. The action sequences capture the frantic nature and scope of battling bots over buildings while remaining fluid and easy to follow. Some of the best fights in animation are here, and the huge battles easily match the live-action efforts of TRANSFORMERS or PACIFIC RIM. Although the quality remains consistent throughout, the jumps from bar raising to formula following are very large and disorientating.

Three Out Of Five StarsLINEBARRELS OF IRON is released on DVD on 14th October via MVM.

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Luke likes many things, films and penguins being among them. He's loved films since the age of 9, when STARGATE and BATMAN FOREVER changed the landscape of modern cinema as we know it. His love of film extends to all aspects of his life, with trips abroad being planned around film locations and only buying products featured in Will Smith movies. His favourite films include SEVEN SAMURAI, PASSION OF JOAN OF ARC, IN BRUGES, LONE STAR, GODZILLA, and a thousand others.

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