Psycho-Pass: The Movie
Japan, year
2113. A country where everyone’s state of mind is quantifiable and analysed
regularly, highlighting their sanity and innermost desires, to name a few areas.
The government/dictator running the show is also known as the Sibyl System. Once
that number exceeds the limit, you’re determined to be a potential criminal and
sent for rehabilitation. Worse still, if the police (Public Safety Bureau
Inspectors or Enforcers in this case) and their specialised guns determine that
you’re a potential criminal, you can be shot on the spot, either paralysing or
killing you immediately.
Japan is a
dystopian nation but by the end of Psycho Pass’ second season, the system has
been forced to rethink its idea of justice and has acted appropriately. For
people who might want to watch the Psycho-Pass movie on a whim, do catch seasons
1 and 2 of the anime first. The movie is a continuation after all and the
series isn’t run on an episodic basis like Gintama or K-On! for example.
For fans of
the series, the movie is a return to form, literally and figuratively. Most of
the team handling the first season of Psycho-Pass returned to create the movie,
probably realising that the second season produced by Tatsunoko Production wasn’t
stellar, to say the least. If you’re fond of Production I.G’s style and loved
the first season, you’ll like the movie, visually at least.
Psycho-Pass:
The Movie takes viewers out of the grim and dull Japan and into a fictional
island of Shamballa Float, located in the tropics of SEAUn (Southeast Asia
Union). It’s a sight for sore eyes, seeing the sun shining brightly, lush
greens, rice fields and temples, rather than your usual host of Matrix-esque
skyscrapers and overcast skies. The movie even highlights this change in pace
subtly, with a starting sequence set in Japan before moving to Shamballa Float
for the next 1.5 hours.
Why this
change in environment? Japan’s Sibyl System is being used in the war torn
state, both as a trial to see how well it works outside of Japan and return the
country to a state of peace. Protagonist Tsunemori Akane returns, together with
junior Inspector Shimotsuki Mika and their unit of Enforcers from the anime’s
second season. Everyone’s beloved protagonist, Kogami Shinya from season one re-appears
too and has significant screentime, along with Tsunemori Akane.
For viewers
who loved the dynamic between these two characters and sorely missed it in
season two, Production I.G has heard you. It’s clear that the pair is the movie’s
driving force, showcasing two different perspectives and two very different
solutions to a single problem the state is facing. This is the least that can
be revealed without spoiling the movie entirely, but if you’re worried that the
movie suffers from having too many villains vying for the spotlight like the
second season, you can put those worries to rest, it isn’t that confusing.
However,
Psycho-Pass: The Movie isn’t flawless and the heavy use of English detracted
from the experience. Although there were characters who sounded like native
English speakers, there were those who had me pausing multiple times just to
read the subtitles because of the verbose nature of their lines. Throw in their
unfamiliarity with the language and it proves to be a headache.
There were even
characters shouting commands in Thai/Vietnamese/Burmese during firefights. The
attempt to create a more authentic atmosphere might’ve backfired but the voice
actors’ efforts are clearly visible and they aren’t just lazily going through
the motions even though English isn’t exactly their forte.
Psycho-Pass:
The Movie was an excellent ‘apology’ to fans and even hinted to viewers that a
third season or second movie is on the cards. Hopefully, Production I.G and the
original crew will return to work on the series again and maybe fans will fully
forgive the forgettable second season then.
Written by ET
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