Memories Blu-ray Movie

Rating summary

Movie		5.0
Video		4.5
Audio		5.0
Extras		4.5
Overall		4.5

Memories Blu-ray Movie Review

Memories is a brilliant and inventive anthology feature-film. Released on December 23, 1995 in Japan, Memories is the brainchild of Katsuhiro Otomo (Akira). Otomo served on the production as both the chief production supervisor and as the head creative director of Memories. The story for the film is based on Magnetic Rose,  Stink Bomb and Cannon Fodder by Katsuhiro Otomo. These stories are presented as episodic chapters in the anthology. Executive produced by Makoto Yamashina (Venus Wars, Royal Space Force - The Wings of Honnêamise), Shigeru Watanabe (Akira, Steamboy), Shoji Yakigaya (Violinist of Hamelin, Fatal Fury: The Motion Picture), and Teruo Miyahara (Ghost in the Shell, Sailor Moon S: The Movie), Memories is an essential anime anthology film and one that will appeal to fans of intelligent art-house cinema.

Memories features animation production by Madhouse (Stink Bomb) and Studio 4°C  (Cannon Fodder, Magnetic Rose). The production was overseen by Bandai Visual, Kodansha, and Shochiku. Memories featured film developing by Imagica and distribution by Shochiku. Produced by Atsushi Sugita (Ghost in the Shell: Stand Alone Complex, Jin-Roh - The Wolf Brigade), Eiko Tanaka (Children of the Sea, Spriggan), Fumio Samejima, Hiroaki Inoue (Appleseed, Perfect Blue), and Yoshimasa Mizuo (Gunsmith Cats, Oh My Goddess!), Memories features opening and closing credit theme music by composer Takkyū Ishino. The ending credit theme features one of the most exciting electronic score pieces I have ever heard in a feature-film. (Katsuhiro Otomo wanted the piece to be exhilarating and something audiences could dance to while leaving the theater.)

In Magnetic Rose, the first anthology episode in Memories, two explorers armed with heavy artillery traverse through the trenches of space and end up on a ship. The ship is a mysterious one secluded in the darkest terrains of outer space. As these explorers board the seemingly empty vessel, the two men discover a haunting reality – one in which a formerly popular diva might now exist in a haunted space – a space that is comprised of past memories. Alternating between sequences of stunning color and a Noir-esque style, beautiful memories and operatic vocals turn to the bleakness of outer space and the emptiness of solitude.

In Stink Bomb, the second anthology episode of Memories, an inquisitive scientist finds himself getting sick with the flu. The scientist finds himself terribly ill and attempts to feel better by taking some newly developed pills. Instead of taking samples of the flu pills the scientist takes some different experimental pills instead – ones that cause his body to become gaseous and create a stink bomb of the deadliest order. As the scientist traverses across the city, the stink bomb causes chaos, destruction, and smells beyond belief.

In Cannon Fodder, the third and final anthology episode in Memories, an expressionist style of storytelling unfolds and an almost silent style of filmmaking is explored. A family struggles with their grim world, enveloped in war-time, and involving the use of a giant canon. There isn’t much else to their world and the cannon summons them to their duty. Waking up to the call of war and the “fodder” of the cannon, the silent existentialism of the world is brought in to question.

The animation in each installment of Memories is outstanding. Memories is a brilliant work of art and the animation is one of the most compelling elements of the production. Each short film included is hypnotic and captivating. The animation in Magnetic Rose traverses back-and-forth between dark visuals and lush landscapes. The animation captures the essence of the filmmaking. In Stink Bomb, the animators provide the short with a style reminiscent of some of the best of 90s anime with the aesthetic providing a more modern (at the time) visual approach alongside some visual gags involving the stink bomb. In Cannon Fodder, the experimental art style is akin to something one would find in an art museum with the expressionistic style that feels both Japanese and inspired by Russian animation. Memories is one of the most inventive of all anime films. The animation in each of the three short films is spectacular and there is a sense of dedication coming from the animators involved on the production. Outstanding work was done on each anthology episode.

Composer Yoko Kanno (Cowboy Bebop, Ghost in the Shell: Stand Alone Complex) handled the score for Magnetic Rose. Composer Jun Miyake (Coffee with Pina, The Story of Pupu) tackled the score for Stink Bomb. Lastly, composer Hiroyuki Nagashima (August in the Water, Living in Your Sky) composed the score for Cannon Fodder.

Each of the three short films in Memories has an inventive and magical score. The best score in the film is the work by Kanno (one of the most genius of all anime composers). The haunting and melancholic score is the work of a masterful composer with a complete understanding of the craft. Kanno’s music is eloquent and sophisticated in style and fits the tone of Magnetic Rose perfectly. The score by Miyake is energetic fun and there is an upbeat and jazzy element to the score for Stink Bomb. The music for Stink Bomb often plays in my head after watching the film. The score by Nagashima is haunting and beautiful in a more minimalist manner. The music fits the tone of the Cannon Fodder beautifully.

Each of the short films in Memories has a fantastic script. The screenplay for Magnetic Rose was penned by Satoshi Kon (Tokyo Godfathers, Perfect Blue). Katsuhiro Otomo handles the scripts for both Stink Bomb and Cannon Fodder. All three of the scripts are outstanding.

My personal favorite is Magnetic Rose. Kon is one of the most visionary of all anime filmmakers and his contribution to the first film in the anthology is nothing short of miraculous. The dark tale is haunting and lyrical in approach (the backdrop of outer-space being completely captivating).

Otomo delivers intelligent and well-written scripts with both Stink Bomb and Cannon Fodder. There is a good reason why Otomo was the chief creative director on the production of Memories and why he was involved on each of the anthology segments. Otomo had a clear vision with the film and he made each short a memorable one.

Otomo handled the directing duties on Cannon Fodder and oversaw the entire production of Memories as the chief creative director. In addition to overseeing the entire production as chief creative director, the film features additional direction by Kōji Morimoto (The Animatrix, Short Peace) on Magnetic Rose and Tensai Okamura (Wolf’s Rain, Blue Exorcist) on Stink Bomb. The filmmaking in each anthology film provides a mesmerizing and hypnotic experience. The directing team assembled for Memories was exceptional and this is why the film has gained a cult status as one of the best anime films ever made. Memories is brilliant in all creative arenas and the filmmaking helps the storytelling soar with artistic animation captivating throughout the entire experience. Memories is an anime essential.  

Memories Blu-ray Movie, Video Quality 

Released on Blu-ray from Anime Limited, Memories is presented in 1080p MPEG-4 AVC encoded high-definition in the original theatrical aspect ratio of 1.85:1 widescreen. One aspect of the Blu-ray release which is particularly interesting and compelling is the option to choose between viewing the restored version and the original version. One can also choose to view the film as the complete anthology or select the specific short included in the anthology.

The restored version looks exceptional overall. Colorful animation with plenty of fine detail. The print quality does exhibit some slight damage with some occasional specks of dirt and debris but these elements are not too detrimental to the experience. A sharp and pleasing presentation overall. The older CG effects have been upscaled with special up-res technology and these moments are seamlessly edited to make the feature presentation appear quite impressive throughout.

The original version provides a different viewing option for Memories. The older special effects do not feature the restored up-res efforts. The other segments still retain a sharp and pleasing aesthetic. The print on the original version appears a tad sharper in select scenes. However, the obvious print damage is more apparent in some shots and appears less impressive by comparison. Nonetheless, a nice option – providing either viewing selection for the release gives audiences more choices for how to view the presentation.

Memories Blu-ray Movie, Audio Quality 

The release includes a plethora of lossless high-resolution audio options in 24-bit. The main audio selection on the release is presented in Japanese DTS-HD Master Audio 5.1 (with English subtitles). A Japanese DTS-HD Master Audio 2.0 stereo mix is also provided. The release also provides a new English dub (not previously available on DVD). The English dub is presented in English DTS-HD Master Audio 5.1. An optional English DTS-HD Master Audio 2.0 track is also present on the release. The Japanese audio is stunning surround sound and the 24-bit master used is masterful in every sense of the word.

The audio quality is startlingly clear sounding and the razor-sharp audio encoding provides a more immersive experience. Dialogue is exceptionally crisp sounding and the surround effects (and score elements) are beautifully mastered and mixed. A first-rate lossless presentation and one that is leaps and bounds superior to anything one could find on a streaming video service. The sound direction by Sadayoshi Fujino (Mobile Suit Zeta Gundam, Mobile Suit Gundam 0080: War in the Pocket) is well preserved by the release.

Memories Blu-ray Movie, Special Features and Extras 

Featurettes:

Memories Special Preview Video (SD, 29:09)

Making Memories in English (SD, 31:02)

About the Restoration (HD, 3:37)

Interview with Marc Swint, Voice of Heinz in "Magnetic Rose" (SD, 10:22)

"Magnetic Rose" English Dub Outtakes (HD, 3:19)

Trailers:

Original Theatrical Trailer (SD, 1:56)

English Blu-ray Teaser (HD, 00:51)

English Blu-ray Trailer (HD, 1:52)

Image & Video Galleries:

"Cannon Fodder" Complete Storyboard Animatic (HD, 22:21)

Japanese Blu-ray Interview Booklet includes 12 click-through slides.

Memories Blu-ray Movie, Overall Score and Recommendation 

Memories is one of the best anime films ever made. The film is the brainchild of Katsuhiro Otomo (Akira, Steamboy). Otomo oversaw every aspect of the production and was involved throughout the entire process. Memories is respected as one of the most compelling anime anthology features. The production is epic in scale and the animation is breathtaking.

The Blu-ray release features a superb presentation with outstanding 1080p high-definition video and lossless 24-bit audio. The set comes with plenty of supplemental features. Memories is one of my favorite anime films and one that I have viewed many times over the years. It is wonderful to see the film upgraded to Blu-ray with such a nice presentation. Highly recommended.