Just got back from a special screening of the anime feature film Expelled from Paradise which features 3DCG technology. It looks very smooth, nearly like hand-drawn animation, but it is all CG and visually brilliant. Think Knights of Sidonia, only even better with respect to its visuals.
This anime not only looks really good, but it's a solid sci-fi story to boot. It's a bit of a slow burn leading to some high concept Sci Fi leading to plot complications, conflict, and good old Anime mech battle badassness. The trailer did NOT prepare me for what was to come. The beginning reminds me of Sword Art Online, and it was disorienting as I hadn't expected such an opening.
I was very lucky to attend this screening, which is apparently a world-wide premiere taking place only shortly after this film's release in Japan, so of course this was a subtitled show, which I didn't mind. In fact, there is so much if it that revolves around singing and music that I'd be very surprised indeed if this anime even gets considered for an English dub, as music rights is always a formidable hurdle, and they'd have to pick thematically appropriate songs, too.
The screenplay was by Gen Urobuchi and I was definitely pleased with the writing of this show. It's got solid Sci Fi elements in it, and reminds me a bit of the Utopian/Dystopian visions of Psycho Pass, which Gen Urobuchi was associated with for season 1. He's also the creative mind behind Fate/Zero, the prequel to Fate/Stay Night.
It was also a nice night out to meet up with my friends and fellow Aspies, S.R. and F.M. It was the first time in several months we've managed to all hang out together. We even had some good discussion after the movie, too, and managed some catching up chit-chat before the film, too. All in all, I give Expelled from Paradise a big thumbs up for story and for its visual appeal. Definitely a worthy film.
