Mask of Zeguy (1997)
Rating: Seven of Ten Stars
"Mask of Zeguy" was originally made as a two-part animated series, although here it is contained on one disc. It features a solid storyline about Miki, a teenaged dscendent of a powerful priestess who is is drawn into the World of the Clouds, a magical realm where she becomes embroiled in a battle to save both it and Earth.
This is a low-priced DVD, with good animations quality, interesting ideas, and plenty of action and twists and turns within a story that should appeal to both girls and boys.
One of the things that I found most appealing was the design of the World in the Clouds... it was a fascinating "what if Leonardo DaVinchi's more offbeat creations actually worked"/magic steam-punk kind of place.
The only caveat to "Mask of Zeguy" is that its storyline assumes alot of knowledge of Japanese history and classic poetry. Some of the figures that Miki meets are well-known Japanese historical/mythical figures, and some of the villians' plans are likewise probably only fully understood with some grounding in Japanese culture. That said, I don't think I have much more knowledge of Japanese history and culture than most Americans, and I enjoyed "Mask of Zeguy," so I'm sure others will, too.
On a note that isn't related so much to the cartoon as it is to its marketing, "Mask of Zeguy" was originally released in the U.S. as simply "Zeguy" (back in 1997). That title makes alot more sense than that given to the current edition--"Zeguy" is a Japanese word that translates, roughly, into "Wow!" or "Amazing!" There is no character in the show named Zeguy, nor is there any "Mask of Wow" anywhere in the program. It looks to me like someone in the marketing department decided the title needed to be punched up, and that he was making his decisions based solely on promo art for the product.
Currently Showing at Cinema Steve
-
-
31 Nights of Halloween: Trick or Truth? - "The Silent Watcher" (sadly one of the many great early films that have been lost) tells of four sorority sisters, the handyman they all lust after, and th...1 week ago
-
Richard Sala's Panique: An Unauthorized Second Editon! - [image: 'Panique' cover art by Richard Sala] SECOND EDITION *Design*: Richard Sala & Steve Miller *Editing*: Steve Miller *INTRODUCTION* In 1994, artist/wr...1 year ago
-
Mystery Monday: Hush - [image: Kavya Trehan In "Hush" (2018)] The impact of some films is ruined if a reviewer blathers on about it. This is one of those. Watch this one minute o...1 year ago
-
No doubt that 'Shadow of a Doubt' is great - *Shadow of a Doubt (1943)* Starring: Teresa Wright, Joseph Cotton, Macdonald Carey, Henry Travers, and Patricia Collinge Director: Alfred Hitchcock Stars: T...3 years ago
-
Neat film with an all-star cast AND a werewolf! - *The Beast Must Die (aka "Black Werewolf") (1974)* Starring: Calvin Lockhart, Anton Diffring, Peter Cushing, Marlene Clark, Michael Gambon, Tom Chadbon, Ci...3 years ago
-
'Evil Bong 666' breathes new life into the series - *Evil Bong 666 (2017)* Starring: Mindy Robinson, Robin Sydney, Sonny Carl Davis, Michelle Mais, Jessica Morris, and The Don Director: Charles Band Rating: F...5 years ago
-
A Franco foul-up that's kinda saved by unintentional comedy - *Neurosis: The Fall of the House of Usher (aka "Revenge in the House of Usher" and "Zombie 5") (1982)* Starring: Howard Vernon, Robert Foster, Lina Romay, J...12 years ago
-
Happy Birthday to Boris Karloff - On this day in 1887, the great Boris Karloff was born. To mark his birthday, here's a review of one of his many films that deserve more attention than it g...13 years ago
-
The Addams Family was never as creepy as this father/daugher duo - Mark of the Vampire (aka "Vampires of Prague") (1935) Starring: Lionel Barrymore, Lionel Atwill, Elizabeth Allen, Jean Hersholt, Henry Wadsworth, Donald Mee...15 years ago
Friday, October 14, 2005
Fabulous anime fantasy series
Subscribe to:
Post Comments (Atom)
No comments:
Post a Comment