Bebop Movie Gets Bad Review on Filmthreat

[Shnay]

The movie review website "Filmthreat," which has specialized in independent movie reviews for years, recently reviewed "Cowboy Bebop: The Movie." Unfortunately, reviewer Eric Campos gave the movie 1.5 out of 5 stars. Here are some highlights from the review:

This is one of the most popular anime of all time. Talk of a “Cowboy Bebop” movie being made over the last couple of years has kept the mouths of anime freaks watered. Well, that movie is finally here and it’s with great displeasure that I have to say IT SUCKS!
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The English dub that Bandai did for the “Cowboy Bebop” series is one of the best, if not THE best, dubs in anime history...The only cast change is the voice of bounty hunter Spike, but I gotta say that the replacement voice sounds awfully close to the original.
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…a soulless husk, dressed up in “Cowboy Bebop” clothing. Not only does this movie lack the addictive charm of the series, but it also stands as one of the most boring anime films I’ve ever had to endure. What happened to those four characters aboard the “Bebop” that I came to love? It’s like all the fun's been ripped out of them.
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If “Bebop” fans aren’t bummed about this film, it’s because they’re in denial.


(The entire review can be found here. (http://www.filmthreat.com/Reviews.asp?Id=3550) )

Frankly, I'm not as upset about the poor review as I am about the poor writing. This guy usually writes some pretty good reviews, but this one sounded more amateur-ish than half the stuff that was written about the movie on this forum (an informal place). The guy sounds like he is a fan of the series, but the review still wasn't quite as researched as it should have been (he still got an error in there about Spike's voice).

I don't think this means the movie's going to be bad. I'd listen to the opinions of people here about this before I'd listen to a movie reviewer, and everyone here who has seen it, has loved it.

But does this mean the mainstream media that might review the movie may be just as harsh? Filmthreat is far from mainstream, and this guy had the advantage of having seen the series, so what will happen when the average, mainstream movie reviewer sees the movie? Will poor reviews keep people from seeing the movie or discovering the series? Any thoughts?

[randomguy]

I doubt the mainstream mirrors Filmthreat. After all, one must remember that Filmthreat has always been kinda hyper-critical. Snobby, one might say. I saw the Bebop review too but paid little mind to it; it's pretty poorly written. There's little honest-to-god-discussion about what was so flawed with said movie.

And I dunno how much having seen the series is gonna help. KOHD sounds, more or less, self-contained. If anything, diminishing the roles of Jet and Ed will only help the mainstream understand the film.

[SemperFi]

That's weird, every, and I mean EVERY, other review I've seen said that it was amazing.

[Andy Mancini]

There is a different guy doing the voice of Spike? When did this happen? I heard that there might be a different voice for Ed, but not Spike.

[GPietrash]

It was a flaw in the review. The guy was wrong.

[VashTheStampede]

I have had the pleasure of seeing the film(fansub) And I must ask what this guy was smoking. The movie had all the charm of the series and since it is a longer story it can expand on the other characters in the movie. I liked the movie better than some of the best episodes of the series.

[ohmrbill]

I've seen quite a few bad reviews (ir comments, rather) of the CB movie. And most of them are from CB fans.

[CookieS]

I actually say DON'T EVER LISTEN TO REVIEWS. When you think about the crudientals a critic has (which is mostly none) you can't really respect their opinion. Everyone wants to throw in their 2 cents on art, but its so subjective. One man's trash is another's treasure. The Film Threat review of Cowboy Bebop must have been written by some teen/20-something geek......if I may quote a captain under a picture, from the review:
The most action I got out of this film was being kicked in the balls repeatedly as I watched a unique anime series get turned into a boring, disposable film...
That's not the talk of a professional. Even the crass critics are a little more imaginative than to say "being kicked in the balls". If you want a real review, perhaps check out one done by a professional. Perhaps the movie is bad, but you'll never find out reading that hack review.

[KingKoopa]

David Lucas still did the voice of Spike, but was credited as Steve Blum. See, this seems to be happening alot recently, but don't worry. It's the same guy. He just won't appear in the credits.

[Shnay]

Originally posted by CartoonFridays
That's not the talk of a professional. Even the crass critics are a little more imaginative than to say "being kicked in the balls". If you want a real review, perhaps check out one done by a professional. Perhaps the movie is bad, but you'll never find out reading that hack review.

I'd agree about that. Usually the site tries to keep a more casual feeling than most other sites, which can be refreshing at times, but this just sounded amateur, not casual. Usually I like the stuff this guy writes, too, but this one was really poorly written.

I've seen quite a few bad reviews (ir comments, rather) of the CB movie. And most of them are from CB fans.

What were their comments about it? I'd be interested in hearing some actual criticisms, as oppossed to just general whining about being "kicked in the balls."

[bassist]

Not only does this movie lack the addictive charm of the series, but it also stands as one of the most boring anime films I’ve ever had to endure.
To some extent, I see what Eric Campos is trying to say. The movie, which is longer, and therefore slower than a half-hour episode, can seem fairly different. In addition, the animation quality is slightly better and there's a lot of stuff that was uneccessary (as far as dialog) included. In this way, someone who only experienced the series would think that the movie is just a single episode with uneccessary extra crap.
There’s just a lot of boring, dry talking scenes
Of course, I thoroughly enjoy uneccesary extra crap and thought the movie was excellent. But he does have a point. The movie, while part of the series and a true exploration of what the series could've been given the propper funding and forum, has its action spread out. Rather than being treated to lots of action due to a half-hour restriction, we get the same amount of action over the course of and hour and 40 minutes.

Does that make the movie bad? Not if you enjoy the entire series, including the somewhat slow and dull episodes that most fans consider to b the best episodes. Personally, I enjoy learning the nuances of the characters, and if Mr. Campos is too bothered by all the interesting things we learn between the action, then I say he can go **** himself, even though he has a point.

-Big Ben

[GPietrash]

The point is, is this one review really going to change your mind? No, of course not. I'm still going to see the movie whatever the critics say. If it isn't good, then, hooray for them.

[adultswimfan]

Is this movie animated?

[GPietrash]

Yes. Despite the fact that there are some posters out there with live action actors, this film is 100% animated.

[SemperFi]

Originally posted by GPietrash
Yes. Despite the fact that there are some posters out there with live action actors, this film is 100% animated.

Hehe, like this one. (http://jazzmess.com/misc/img/macybebop.jpg)

[bassist]

Yup. That one's been posted here 3 times now.

-Big Ben

[SemperFi]

Originally posted by bassist
Yup. That one's been posted here 3 times now.

-Big Ben

I know, but it deserved to be posted again, like this one. (http://jazzmess.com/misc/img/cbmovie.png)

[Mynd Hed]

I never read a review until AFTER I've already seen the movie. I think that constantly comparing your reaction to the movie to someone else's reaction ruins the whole moviegoing experience.

[jeffrey 228]

And I think there just weird since they can't even make an anime good.

[Leaping Larry Jojo]

Variety reviewed the flick a few weeks ago; they gave it a generally positive review, though the review seemed to focus more on the film's set pieces than anything else. Variety's critic seemed to be reasonably familiar with the show.

(BTW-Fata, I found a PDF copy of the review on EBSCO Host. I did not download it, however, and opted to just read it off the net.)

[StrangerAtaru]

Personally, I try to get as many opinions as I can about a film before I consider going to see it. That is one of the joys of "Rotten Tomatoes", where many different reviews are put up, creating a general idea of where the critical communty stands on the film. But then, there are still some films you just want to see no matter how much it is panned by the people at large. And no matter what happens with "CB: Knockin' on Heaven's Door", I still want to see it no matter what.

BTW: Never saw that PPG takeoff poster before, but it makes one wonder.

[Shnay]

Originally posted by StrangerAtaru
And no matter what happens with "CB: Knockin' on Heaven's Door", I still want to see it no matter what.

I think most people here will be doing the same. I get the feeling that this review will end up being in the minority of critical opinions of the movie. I still have very high hopes for it.

[Xevo]

Believe it or not, not every Bebop fan is going to like the movie... OMG BLASHPHEMY! you say... YOU ARE SAYING IMPUDENCE TO ME, THAT IS IMPUDENCE! OMG!

Anyway...

The review is pretty accurate... I had all the same problems with the movie he did. The difference is I've been a fan of the series LONG before it was ever popular, and to me the movie always felt a bit like a sell-out. I mean, it's not really necessary to further the story of the series, and it's going to turn off a lot of the casual fans who are just expecting 90 minutes of pure action.

All in all, I like the film, but it is by no means the second coming of christ or anything. That would be more along the lines of Graveyard of the Fireflies =)

[Shnay]

When you say it feels like a sell out, is that simply because they made a CB movie and are trying to get it a big release, or is there something specific about the movie that feels that way?

Also, if there is more dialogue than you expected, is it particularly good dialogue? Does it develop the characters well? Or does it just involve them babbling on and on? Without spoiling anything about the movie, I'd like to hear you're opinion on it.

[Galaxia]

Originally posted by Shnay
The movie review website "Filmthreat," which has specialized in independent movie reviews for years, recently reviewed "Cowboy Bebop: The Movie." Unfortunately, reviewer Eric Campos gave the movie 1.5 out of 5 stars.

I liked it and that's all that matters. I never listen to critics anyway. :D :p

[Y3k-Bug]

I wish the author of that review could have written his statements better. Although I do agree that KOHD isn't much of a movie, I don't agree with a his reasoning behind that opinion.

[SemperFi]

Believe it or not, not every Bebop fan is going to like the movie... OMG BLASHPHEMY! you say... YOU ARE SAYING IMPUDENCE TO ME, THAT IS IMPUDENCE! OMG!

LOL!! I love that. Squee's a genious.

[Calhoun07]

Originally posted by SemperFi
I know, but it deserved to be posted again, like this one. (http://jazzmess.com/misc/img/cbmovie.png)

Man, those posters rock. Whoever made them had too much time on their hands, that is for sure, but I am for one GRATEFUL.

That said, am I one of the few who didn't really desire to see a Cowboy Bebop movie? It may be great, it may be bad, but I don't think we needed it. The series is so perfect as it is. Like Watchmen, the fans may cry for more, but really all you need with Watchmen is the 12 issue series, and all you need with Cowboy Bebop is the animated series.

[Batlhasar]

Well a movie based of a series isn't really a movie. I'm mean alot of things are in the series and the movie is just an adiition, not a completely new movie. If you never saw the show, you may not completely get the movie and may find yourselves confused and upset that somethings weren't clear.

As an indeppendent film it may or may not be very good, but as and addition or simply a piece of entertainment, i don't think you can argue that it's fun and enjoyable. Best to think of it as an extra episode.

Perhaps the bad review may come from expecting too much. I personally didn't find the movie as *great* as the series in it's entirety. but then again...

"The work which becomes a new genre itself, will be called COWBOY BEBOP"

[StrangerAtaru]

Basically, all Cowboy Bebop is from its inception was 26 short stories about the life and situations of these space-bound bounty hunters. It did have an end, but they decided to add a "lost chapter" to the tale before that point occurs. (that being "Knockin' on Heaven's Door") Personally, I say that you should take this as an extended CB episode, just like someone else said. And if you don't like it, fine, that is your opinion. Besides, I did not really like "Wild Horses", even though I love the rest of the entire series.

[Xevo]

Originally posted by Calhoun07
Man, those posters rock. Whoever made them had too much time on their hands, that is for sure, but I am for one GRATEFUL.

That said, am I one of the few who didn't really desire to see a Cowboy Bebop movie? It may be great, it may be bad, but I don't think we needed it. The series is so perfect as it is. Like Watchmen, the fans may cry for more, but really all you need with Watchmen is the 12 issue series, and all you need with Cowboy Bebop is the animated series.

I actually have a screenplay to turn the Watchmen into a 6-hour 3-part miniseries, and it is excellent =)

Anyway, I agreem the 26 episodes tell all the story we should ever need. The CB movie, like the Eva movie, was made in Japan to appease fans, but unlike Eva, it at least didn't try to change the entire ending of the show. Could you imagine a movie that tried to ressurect Spike, or make it where it was all a dream or something else idiotic like End of Eva?

My biggest pet peeve is editing, and changing a title card is editing. Of course, I knew they were going to have to do it all along since my mom is an Intellectual Property specialized Attorney. And if there's one thing that holds true in America, it's that you can't steal other people's ideas (well, heheh, we're talking their intellectual property, which ideas aren't, but that's a WHOLE other topic...). [/rant]

[Dogasu]

The movie may not be for everyone, but the way the critic wrote his review was unprofessional and childish. He could have at least outlined why he felt the movie was a disappointment rather than lamenting on how it's not the same as the series.

Personally, I liked the movie. The animation is about the same as the series' (but then again, the animation was top-notch to begin with), and Yoko Kanno is brilliant as always. The only thing that really bothered me was that there was WAY too much expository dialogue. I mean, it's literally half the movie, and someone who's not paying attention will quickly get lost. But the action scenes are well-done (now you know the fancy chase scene toward the end was just the director showing off ;) ) and Spike is as cool as ever. Plus, the film showed that the Japanese don't quite grasp the concept of "Halloween" ...

Whenever you do go to see it, see if you can spot the Mel Gibson look-alike in the opening credits :p