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JIN-ROH:
THE WOLF BRIGADE
review by Joseph B. Mauceri
REVIEW: JIN-ROH: THE WOLF BRIGADE is the next step in the evolution of Japanese animation, which proceeds the legendary "Princess Mononoke," "Ghost in the Shell," and "Akira." The plot blends action, drama and allegory -- a Grimm's fairy tale -- to create a compelling mood. The personal dramas of the narrative takes a center stage to the political themes, but all of the story elements are neatly wrapped up in an intense resolution. There is a quality to the drama that at times borders on soap opera-ish, which is off set by the intense violence and stylistic dream sequences. The combination is reminiscent of the best ideas brought to life on the small screen by "The Twilight Zone" and "Dark Shadows." The style of animation employed to tell JIN-ROH feels like an evolved look of the 70's and 80's work of animator Ralph Bakshi. There is a fluidity to the character motion that seems as if they shot some sequences and animated over them. There are numerous shots with a feature film layout to them. Some panoramic ones have multiple layers to the backgrounds that give the film an almost 3-D quality. The artistic level of the animation makes JIN-ROH a poignant film to experience. The creators of JIN-ROH: THE WOLF BRIGADE prove that cinematic tales can be told as effectively with animation as live action. Japanese animators have traditionally told more adult stories in the feature length format. Also, they are traditionally a bit more fantastical. JIN-ROH is a more accessible story that demonstrates how storytellers can seamless integrate location and effects without spending small fortunes to travel to locations or to build imaginative production designs. JIN-ROH is one of those rare cinematic events that audiences should go out of their way to experience in the theater instead of waiting for the video. I believe the next step in the evolutionary process of animation would be for a smart American studio to team up with these filmmakers on a joint venture to tell a story they might have filmed. It not only seems like a natural, but history waiting to be made. OFFICIAL
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SYNOPSIS:
During a demonstration, in the sewers below Tokyo, Fuse, a member
of the JIN-ROH, confronts a fleeing member of the Sect, a
young girl carrying an explosive device. Fuse has his gun out and
aimed to shoot her, but hesitates. She detonates the bomb. As a
result, Fuse becomes the center of an investigation by his superiors.
He is haunted by her and is compelled to seek out the identity.
He tracks her down and finds her older sister, Kei, whom he begins
a love affair with. Fuse begins to have dreams of a girl pursued,
and torn apart by wolves. JIN-ROH is about those in society who
are predators among prey. Society rightly fears the JIN-ROH, which
literally means "man-wolf," and the Capital Police are themselves
marked for elimination by their own government. Fuse is in the eye
of a storm, and his ultimate choice will decide the future of Kei
and the Jin-Roh.