The
Big O
Volume 1 DVD from Bandai
Review
by : Troy
Brownfield 
 Trying
to describe The Big O evokes nothing to me so much as that
old advertising chestnut: "You got your chocolate in my peanut
butter! You got your peanut butter in my chocolate!" Only
try this on for size: "You got your Batman: The Animated Series
in my James Bond! Yeah, well you got your Gundam in my Dark
City, and where'd my Blade Runner go?"
That's
right, kids. The Big O erupts from your screen as a propulsive
mixture of classic pop culture elements. You want a suave
hero? It's in there. You want an android trying to discover
what it's like to be human? It's in there. You want giant
robot action? Believe me, it's in there.
Our premise:
Roger Smith is the best "negotiator" in Paradigm City. Paradigm
is a city of amnesia, a place where forty years ago everyone
lost their memories. Roger, ably assisted by his butler, has
found a Megadeus robot called The Big O that he uses to solve
those extra big problems. The elements come from all over
the damn place, and magically, they work.
The look
of the series (designed by Keiichi Satou) draws on the awesome
Bruce Timm school that we know so well (from Batman, Superman
and the upcoming JLA). It's strikingly different from most
anime, and the ambient darkness underscores the themes of
secrets and lost times beautifully. Also magnificent is the
often jazzy score, calling to mind the film noir of old. Though
Roger Smith insists that he's not a detective, we know better.
This first
DVD contains the first four episodes from the series. These
episodes establish Roger's character and introduce us to Dorothy,
an android that becomes integral to the ongoing story. The
relationship between the two recalls great old film duos.
When a disheveled Dorothy, in her flat monotone computerized
voice, says "You're a louse, Roger Smith", I immediately thought
of "The Thin Man".
I found
The Big O to be huge fun. The DVD also contains a text interview
regarding the genesis of the show. While not your conventional
anime, this is certainly a treat for animation fans. It's
worth your time. Don't forget it.
Troy
Brownfield is the Editor-in-Chief of Shotgun Reviews. He's
only had amnesia twice that he can remember.
Email him at psikotyk@aol.com
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