THE SKY CRAWLERS features animation that
sometimes is almost photo realistic when it comes to the airplanes when they’re in the air or in dogfights. The film makes you think as THE SKY CRAWLERS takes place in an alternate universe where forever youthful
pilots known as the Kildren fight in a war they fail to understand. They fly
in the air as two corporate factions face off against each other. They fight
on end and their memories blur. They drink, smoke, and have sex in their downtime
as for today could be their last day. The unit’s commander, Suito
Kusanagi, even has a daughter and a wish to kill herself (or to be killed). Every
pilot is obsessed with a legendary pilot called the Teacher (who is on the other side) and no one has lived to tell about
it if they get too close to the Teacher. Also the corporate concerns even clone
the Kildren if they feel they don’t want to lose a certain pilot’s skills.
THE SKY CRAWLERS starts with a mystery as a new pilot wonders what happened to the previous pilot of the plane he now
flies. Also the European setting of the film and the unique fighter planes
add to the universe of THE SKY CRAWLERS. This film has me thinking about it still
even though it has been days since I have watched it.
SPECIAL FEATURES:
ANIMATION RESEARCH FOR SKY CRAWLERS- a featurette that focuses on the director and animation team’s visit to Poland
where they mostly take pictures at a Poland Air Force base and visit a book store (where the director buys a huge amount of
books). Director Mamoru Oshi believes one most visit the places they are going
to model scenes and locations after (they even visit a bowling alley).
THE SOUND DESIGN AND ANIMATION OF THE SKY
CRAWLERS- This is like a making of featurette/ post-production featurette
as it shows a visit to the Skywalker Ranch where the sound is mixed and created, a look at the music being recorded, animation
deisgn, and the voice actors.
The DVD rounds out with previews for other
animation titles available from SPHE. Sadly the interview with director
Mamoru Oshii is only available on the Blu-Ray.
FINAL ANALYSIS: THE SKY CRAWLERS is an experience within itself as I’m still thinking about it days after watching
it.
This DVD review is (c)5-26-2009 David
Blackwell and cannot be reprinted without permission. Send all comments to lord_pragmagtic@hotmail.com
