Memories (
1995) is one of the more well-known compilation films out there, so chances are youve probably heard of it, but in case you havent, its an animated movie consisting of 3 films and each one is helmed as usual by a different director. I wouldnt really consider this a short of sorts as the film overall lasts over
112 minutes, but for formalities sake these are three shorts. Each one of these shorts differs from the one that came before it, well except for the one thing they all hold in common, the fact that theyre amazing, and masterfully directed. Its no wonder the people who directed these shorts are considered to be the best in the business because they shine here and demonstrate just how much they are indeed capable of. These 112 minutes will have you taking in a whole gamut of emotions and will leave an impression on you long after the credits stop.
Memories is the brainchild of
Katsuhiro Otomo (
Akira,
Steamboy) and is based on the Manga written by him (
Memories of Her
) which itself consists of many short stories, three of which were adapted here for your viewing pleasure with the last of the three shorts also being directed by
Otomo.
The first of the three shorts is called
Magnetic Rose and is a beautiful
sci-fi tale chronicling the space expedition of a bunch of space salvagers who go around collecting wreckages and such in order to make a living. Directed by
Kouji Morimoto (
Studio 4°C Founder, assistant animation director on
Akira, animation director on
Mind Game,
Genius Party,
The Animatrix,
Robot Carnival) and legend in general and a script by
Satoshi Kon. On what seems like just another day on the job they receive an SOS transmission from someone and go forth into the unknown in order to respond to it. The music (
Yoko Kanno) is of an operatic nature and blew me away at the opening scene alone and this moment alone cemented the fact that Id go on to love this piece. The music makes heavy use of
Giacomo Puccinis Madama Butterfly (
Maria Callas) and works with the art in order to conjure up feelings of awe and wonder as you gaze into the dark abyss that shrouds the main characters as they drift around the endless space. The music is seriously phenomenal and is masterfully composed and adds an unrelenting punch to each and every scene.
This would be praiseworthy enough, but when coupled with the fantastic visuals it really goes hand in hand to create something that honestly upsets me, because I doubt Ill see many other pieces that match this. The character designs are strong; everyone looks distinct but wholly realistic and tangible. The mechanical designs are grounded in reality and are intricate and well thought-out. Voice acting is superb and the script is grown up and in the end accumulates to what is a bunch of realistic and human characters that become host to a cluster of emotions in the
44 minutes that they are on screen for.
The story is haunting, sad, emotional and just downright powerful and will leave you thinking about it long after its over. Beautiful music, great characters and gorgeous art come together for this tsunami of emotions that will whisk you away.
The second of the three shorts is called
Stink Bomb and is directed by
Tensai Okamura (
Medarot,
Darker than Black,
Wolfs Rain) of
Madhouse fame, the studio coincidentally bringing you this short and a script again by
Satoshi Kon. The music here was composed by
Jun Miyake, and unlike the first short this makes use of jazz and funk which works incredibly well with the nature of this film. The film itself is a black comedy of sorts and one that had me in stitches throughout its
40 minutes run time. Without delving too deep into the plot, the story revolves around a lab technician named
Nobuo Tanaka who happens to have a bad case of the flu. After taking his flu shot he decides to go back to work where he spends most of his day sneezing at the detriment of his co-workers, one of which recommends that he take an experimental pill that theyve been developing to rid his flu. Unfortunately for him the pill in questions happens to be something else entirely and reacts badly with his aforementioned flu shot as he starts to excrete a deadly odour that kills everyone near him...but of course he doesnt know that!
The short is seriously hilarious and had me laughing the whole way through and I find that it is the perfect supplement to the first short which is super serious. Dont let the comedic nature fool you however, the animation is top notch and looks superb with some spectacular scenes. A good laugh is needed every once in a while and this happens to be just what the doctor ordered.
The last of these shorts is
Cannon Fodder and is both written and directed by
Katsuhiro Otomo himself and is animated by
Studio 4 °C. The music in this short was composed by
Hiroyuki Nagashima. The whole thing is very unconventional from its art style to the way in which it appears be told in one shot with no breakaways throughout the
22 minute duration. The art style presents a bleak, smoggy world but one focusing on a young boy who is full of zest. This works well as juxtaposition between the innocence of the young boy and the grim world in which he inhabits. The world is one that is in a constant war as the city fires its cannons at an unseen enemy, and they do so ritualistically. Day in, day out they fire their cannons. The camera never pulls away from the action, swinging and swaying seamlessly from one scene to the next as you see the life of this one family in a world that never sleeps, one that is dark and bleak but one where the young ones still dream, even if it is misguided in what they want to become.
A futile world, presented with a beautiful art style, unique character designs and a strong message. A sad story, but one told in a way that isnt heavy handed and one that will have you smile from time to time at the banter between the family members which adds to the emotional impact of it all.
These three shorts are phenomenal alone, each delivering something worth watching, but together as a compilation they truly complement each other and work together in order to create an astonishing visual/audio tour de force. The music blew me away in each of the three shorts, as did the art and visuals. Its all remarkably high quality, undoubtedly so but truly distinct and gripping in presentation. You truly wont be forgetting any one of these shorts any time soon and I without a doubt recommend you all to take 2 hours out of your day to watch these as soon as you get the chance. Youll be left spellbound, youll laugh, and youll cry but one thing is for sure, youll be left with some great memories.
10/10
