Akira 1988

Dave Kehr, Chicago Tribune: Pounding away, it becomes monotonous. Read more

Charles Solomon, Los Angeles Times: A compendium of the worst cliches of Japanese animation -- two hours of chases, laser attacks, machine-gun battles, spilled stage blood, computer-animated backgrounds and hokey dialogue. Read more

Janet Maslin, New York Times: A phenomenal work of animation with all the hallmarks of an instant cult classic. Read more

Jonathan Rosenbaum, Chicago Reader: Grade-school violence freaks may find a few kicks here, but even they may have trouble coping with this ugly movie's ending about eight separate times. Read more

Jay Cocks, TIME Magazine: The movie, even at 124 minutes, has the densely packed sweep and go-for-it pep of a pop epic. Read more

Geoff Andrew, Time Out: An impressive achievement, often suggesting a weird expressionist blend of 2001, The Warriors, Blade Runner and Forbidden Planet. Read more

Variety Staff, Variety: A lavish animation extravaganza produced at a cost of $8 million, this futuristic exploration is a followup by author-director Katsuhiro Otomo to his tremendously popular comic books. Read more

Michael Atkinson, Village Voice: Easily the most breathtaking and kinetic anime ever made. Read more

Richard Harrington, Washington Post: The most expensive animated feature ever made in Japan... and it's easily the most impressive, as well. Read more