Akira

One of the few unanimously acclaimed classics of Japanese animation, the 1988 feature by Katsuhiro Otomo has been given an all-new translation, a digital sound and picture restoration and a new dub, featuring former Power Ranger Johnny Yong Bosch. While critics are obliged to always prefer subtitles, the new dub is not too shabby, its translation superior even to the old subtitles: The ending was once notoriously hard to follow, but is now clarified, along with several touches of humor that failed to translate the first time around. If you've never seen it, the story revolves around teenage bikers Kaneda (now pronounced "kaa-nei-da," rather than the older "ka-nay-duh") and Tetsuo in a Blade Runner-esque future Tokyo. When Tetsuo is captured by the government, he is subjected to experiments that accelerate his evolution to near godlike levels. Though clearly influenced by previous sci-fi films, Akira carves out its own territory, and has in turn influenced countless others: James Cameron's Dark Angel, for one, borrows heavily. The animation is obviously not the latest state-of-the-art, but it doesn't creak either. Unfortunately, the new print doesn't look all that new, and the transfer to digital projection is somewhat lacking (resolution lines are often visible). The remixed soundtrack rocks, however, especially in its judicious use of utter silence (Akira has perhaps the best sound-absences since 2001). It's a great film, and chances are you've never seen it on a big screen, so now is the time. But be prepared: Though unrated, Akira features definite R-level violence, as well as one brief female nude scene.