Future War 198X |
Japan • 1982 • 120m •
  • Directed by: Tomoharu Katsumata, Toshio Masuda. • Starring: Masashi Amenomori, Yoshio Kaneuchi, Kin'ya Kitaôji, Masako Natsume. • Music by: Nozomi Aoki.  An American scientist constructs a laser satellite with hopes of preventing any nuclear conflicts from occurring. However, after a fatal error from both the U.S. and the U.S.S.R. governments, war breaks out and humanity faces a new bloodshed.
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Review:
This story tells of WWIII and was written during the Cold War. From the beginning, it shows the war through many sets of eyes: civilians', the engineers', the world powers, and the soldiers'. Probably the most realistic portrayal of war in a cartoon.
It's extremely somber and depressing, which is the right tone for it. That is, until the end. I felt the ending of it really reversed all of the buildup and drama the movie had going for it.
But even though it's heartbreaking, it ends on a note of hope. There's something to be learned from that.
The Japanese music is better in my opinion. Not too much that is important was cut, though, just a scene showing Japan's involvement and some of the gorier details (for instance the shot of a bloody stump of a soldier's arm is cut). Laura is also implied to be in a relationship with the character who was her brother in the original.
Either way, it is wonderfully animated and a real gem, making it a shame that it's so obscure.
Review by rf3059 from the Internet Movie Database.
Movie Database