Studio: Warner Home Video Release Date: 03/11/2008

Produced by John Woo and directed by Shinji Aramaki, Appleseed Ex Machina (2007) ranks as the most elaborate, stylish, and violent of the three adaptations of Masamune Shirow's manga. When it was released in 1988, the original Appleseed felt like a summary of anime's past, while Akira pointed the way to the future. The second Appleseed (2004), also directed by Aramaki, was an unimpressive motion-capture CG feature that borrowed elements from other sci-fi anime. In this latest incarnation, Deunan, Briareos, and Tereus of the E.S.W.A.T. team are charged with preserving the peace of the city-state of Olympus, a hi-tech paradise on a largely ruined Earth. Screenwriters Kiyoto Takeuchi and Todd W. Russell have given the story a contemporary twist, adding attacks by "cyborg terrorists" and an effort by the ruler of Olympus to control a world-wide satellite surveillance system. When cyborgs and human launch coordinated attacks on the government headquarters in Olympus, Deunan, Briareos, and Tereus swing into action against a mysterious enemy. The plot has little in common with the earlier films: the Appleseed technology that was at the core of the story isn't even mentioned. The look, tone, and characters in Ex Machina recall Shirow's Ghost in the Shell, rather than the original Appleseed. Not surprisingly, the elaborately choreographed fight scenes reflect Woo's signature style, with slo-mo martial-arts combat, close-ups of falling shells, dynamic camerawork, and all-out gun battles. But the weightless movements of the motion-capture characters and the limited rendering of the skin textures gives Appleseed Ex Machina the feel of an extremely elaborate computer game. Despite the limits of the mo-cap technology, Appleseed Ex Machina is a fast-past, take-no-prisoners cinematic adventure that will delight action-movie fans as well as anime lovers. (Rated PG-13: violence, violence against women, profanity, grotesque imagery, potentially offensive religious imagery.) --Charles Solomon

Overall I give this animation/movie the following scores:

Animation A+/Blu-ray B-/Video On Demand
Writing C-
Acting C
Story B

The movie honestly is a pleasure to watch, but please note that to get the best effect you should purchase the Blu-Ray version, otherwise the score goes from A+ to about a B- since it stacks up against any average animation. My first mistake was getting it via "Video On Demand" and what a terrible mistake that was. Watching it in HD made all the difference.

However, the writing and acting was very disappointing as it reminded me of some of the things I used to read from my friends in Junior High School. It's really at that level in my opinion. It all felt very forced and bland in that respect. But, then again, the HD continued to captivate me especially since I enjoy anime.

Whilst, the animation is top notch, the story line felt a lot like I was watching a young adult romance novel converted to an anime. There was a lot of room to improve character development, especially the conflict between the main character's new partner and old. I would have liked to see less love story, more character development, and more combat.

These is one of the best movies i have recently seen. Recomended to everyone that loves Anime.Super good fights and very detailed graphics. Toooooooo Coooooool!! rock on Apple seed!!.

it simple one of the most extreme anime that i ever see, it has action, romance, but the grapichs are GREAT, the trama is just the right one for the type of movie, you have see it.

After you watch this awsom movie you'll run out and try to fine Appleseed. both are just remarkable.