Blonde action babe Deunan separates the robots from the bioroids in this spectacular exhibition of conventional anime character design amalgamated with state-of-the-art CG effects. “Eye-goggling.” — Screendaily
Screened as part of NZIFF 2005
Appleseed 2004
Appurushido
Appleseed is a spectacular exhibition of conventional anime character design amalgamated with state-of-the-art CG effects. Adapted from Masamune Shirow’s bestselling mid-80s manga, it follows blonde action babe Deunan as she fights off robot tanks, angsts over the fate of newly reassembled metallic ex-boyfriend and matches wits with a council of floating Yoda clones. “Shirow is also responsible for the Ghost in the Shell manga, and Appleseed is populated by a similar mix of humans, genetically engineered ‘bioroids,’ and all manner of cyborgs… But mainly, Appleseed is characterized by its female protagonists, whose physical attributes are not restricted to their Lara Croft buff bods but include great hair and indelible lip gloss.” — J. Hoberman, Village Voice
"Appleseed should convince even sceptics that the Japanese are pushing back boundaries in this medium even faster than their Hollywood counterparts, if from a radically different angle… The plot tropes, which might have been fresh in 1985, are by now familiar, but the film takes them to a new, eye-goggling level.” — Mark Schilling, Screendaily