Movie Reviews
Paprika

Summary:

     Dreams are a subject of mystery and wonder. Some people claim to dream the future, others recollect the past in dreams. The realm of dreams can contain our deepest thoughts, desires, and neurological disorders. A machine is developed, which allows anyone to watch the dream of some other person. This machine is used to analyze and cure the deeper neurological disorders in any patient. Everything seems fine, until one copy of this machine, the DC-MINI, disappears along with one of the researching developers of the machine. Dr. Atsuko Chiba is leading the search for the lost DC-MINI, while some difficulties ensue. Minds of the researchers are being invaded and destroyed, while the realm of dreams starts to seep into reality. The dreams of people combine and fall under the mysterious master dream, and chaos spreads around the city.

     To make matters more complicated, Dr. Chiba has a second personality, known as 'Paprika'. This personality is her more active side, always jumping into the line of fire to solve the problems. Everything begins to merge in space and time, and insanity brews all around.  Dr. Chiba, her fellow sane researchers, and her alter ego must all take part in the strangest series of events you will ever see.      

Author's note:

     This was an astounding movie, beginning instantly on the edge of reality, and jumping far off into a realm beyond explanation. The beginning scenes are so smart and beautiful, I actually broke into tears during the film. This movie has some of the greatest animation I have ever been witness to, and every scene is fluid in every way. The sounds are amazing, and I get chills just thinking about the movie again, because it was so incredible. Reality switches to dreams and imaginations, and the viewer must pay attention to this film. The artwork is so beautiful and detailed, I doubt you could take your eyes off it. I cannot imagine how much work was put into drawing the scenes, and the storyline is incredible. Science and philosophy merge just as dreams and reality. Everything connects by the end of the film, and several occations make you think the movie has finished. Stay seated, don't leave, and watch closely. You will be witness to movie magic, and you will wonder what in your life is truly real after this film. Dont pass up this chance to see 'Paprika'. For those of us that are sick of the same old movies, 'Paprika' is a dream come true, in every sense.

          Note: this is an independent movie, and I saw it at the Cinema Center in Indiana Tech, Fort Wayne. The film may not be playing in many other locations. In that case, purchase the video when it is released.

Information:

Movie Title: Paprika
Starring: Megumi Hayashibara, Toru Emori, Katsunosuke Hori, Toru Furuya
Director: Satoshi Kon
Genre: Anime, Mystery, Science Fiction
MPAA Rating: R

Last Updated: May 12, 2008 
By: Travis Valentine