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Art House & International and Horror movie directed by Carl Macek and Toyoo Ashida
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Rating:
+5
VAMPIRE HUNTER D
I have been watching anime since I can remember or at least since I was able to get my hands on it many moons ago. This one in particular is one of my favorites of all time and regardless of what any one tells me this will forever be in my one of the best ever. I know that some will say that I like this film just because it is older and is widely considered a classic while others will say that I should not rate it so high because of dated animation or what have you. All I can say to that is both of your points are true, this is the older film and is considered a classic by most and by today's standards it is dated. But that is were you are at fault for being overly judgmental and not understanding certain things.
Let's say that the dated argument is a legitimate flaw to the film but by that logic all those who say that about this film and praise "Bloodlust" so much for its looks will have to go back on that at some point. For those who love the second so much because of the animation just think of what the next film will look like especially if there is as much a time delay as there was between these first two. By the logic of the first is not so much a classic because of dated animation then that would mean eventually one would have to take back all the positives of the second in favor of the new and highly polished third film if there is to be one.
Don't get me wrong I love both films and enjoy both equally because I don't judge one against the other as far as animation. Story telling, voice acting, and even direction will always be up for debate because those are really constant from different time periods, there are those who do those well in every generation. The thing that is truly unfair is judging something based on things it can't help, animation gets better over the years because of the progression of technology and budgets. Therefore judging for the time period and such I would say this is excellent.
I love the animation in this first one mainly because it gives an other worldly and dark feel to the film, to be honest with out this animation the film may not have been the same. Be honest and really think about this, do you really think this would be better with the production value of the second film. The second film is a romance tell when it really comes down to it, therefore I think that the polished look and feel to the animation adds onto the over all storyline. Were as the fist film is about a girl taken against her will by creatures of the night that have a bloodlust as deep as their master, this film is more about the evil in that world not the beauty that could be. That means the grainy [dated] and dark feel of the animation is a perfect fit.
Now finally on to the actual film, "Vampire Hunter D". This first film is said to be based on the first in the series of books I believe, I have bought all of them so far but I have yet to find to time to read them. So to say this is the case would not be true n my part. What is true is it is based on the series and it's characters but I will have to read the first book to find the actual stories source material. As far as I know this is loosely based on the first book and did make some changes in the film version, but all is forgiven because I love this anime. "Vampire Hunter D" was brought to life on the screen by director Toyoo Ashida based on the works of D creator Hideuki Kikuchi, to me these two are legends because they helped create one of my favorite characters/stories/films of all time.
Our story is about a dhampir or dunpeal [which do you prefer] named D which means his of both vampire and human decent as his mother was human and you guessed it his father was a vampire. When we first happen upon D it is after a night spent with a girl named Doris [werewolf hunter like her father] who after hunting down some unfriendly creatures is bitten by a rather large fellow named Count Magnus Lee. Turns out that in the year 2,090 A.D. vampires and things like them are coming to an end even after many many years of ruling the lands. Well this Count is still holding on to all those old memories of ruling because he rules the land and all those in it just by taking what he wants, and what he wants is Doris.
Well this would not be what it is with out a skilled vampire hunter and he arrives in the form of D, who after easily dealing with Doris's attack on him agrees to help her in her fight with the Count. Of course Magnus is not a fan of this and sends his goons out to get her and each time D is there to either stop them or rescue the girl. The story really is that simple but the characters in this film are very interesting and the straightforward story telling of the first is excellent. The dark tone and feel of the movie is great and the fights, gore, and action are excellent. It doesn't hurt that the count has a pretty and interesting daughter who is opposed to his wanted arrangement with Doris. Add in some crazy looking creatures and vampires along with some more interesting characters like the majors cocky son and you have one great anime.
The acting is good especially for D { Michael McConnohie in the English version and Kaneto Shiozawa in the original} and Count Lee { Seiz Kat in the original and Jeff Winkless in the English}. Also it should be noted that Carl Macek is the man who produced and directed the English version of this film. Any way all involved on both sides should be commended.
As far as I can tell most people either love it or like it because I never have really meet any one who hated this film. And those who only like it seem to be the ones who judge it based on the animation thing, there are those who only like it but prefer the second film based on story, structure, acting or what ever. Those seem like more legitimate reasons to prefer the second film over this one not just disliking it more because of "dated" animation. Any way different people have different taste and for me this is a classic by far as is the second one in my opinion, I don't know maybe I am just a sucker for vampires. Also there is a huge thing about what his real name is like D could not be his real name at all, what if it is? Also he could just ride under the title Vampire Hunter D as in Vampire Hunter dhampir or dunpeal. But you could also say that D is the initial of his very famous vampiric fathers name, now who do you think that could be?
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More Vampire Hunter D (1993) reviews
Set in the future, humans are living in fear of vampires and monsters. Doris Ran makes the mistake of entering forbidden territory. While battling with a creature, she loses her crucifix and is visited by a powerful vampire, Count Magnus Lee. After receiving his "kiss", she hires a vampire hunter named D. D sets out to kill Lee and save Doris in the process.-summary Along with Akira, Vampire Hunter D is one of those old anime titles, where its popularity … more
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Compliments (36)
I love this film, one of my all time favorites.
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Compliments (3)
Pros: See what D faced before Bloodlust Cons: Erm...choppy editing...or something The Bottom Line: ...Who names their kid Doris anyway? Plot Details: This opinion reveals minor details about the movie's plot. People seem to get confused when one mentions Vampire Hunter D because if they’ve heard of it, chances are they’ve heard of the second one, Vampire Hunter D: Bloodlust. This, however, is Bloodlust’s predecessor … more
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Compliment
Funny how the cover has nothign to do with the feeling of the movie. I know it was done like 18 years ago, but the color scheme is aqua,pink,navy,black,white, etc very dull, the characters look like they have been drawn by a kindergarden class, and the story isn't that interesting, honestly i got through half of it, and turned it off. I couldnt even finish the movie! Watching this, all i could recomend is sticking to cheesy cartoons on tv, because they are highly more superiour to this. … more
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review by AdamHunnicutt.
April 14, 2002
As the movie opens, we find the young Doris running through the goth night, in between the sage. She raises her rifle and spurts hot rounds into the neck and head of a fierce night creature. The monster falls squirting streams of blood into the night air, as Doris' horse appears. With only half of its remaining head, the creature grabs the horse in the throat and begins tearing. Doris fires enraged shots, wildly destroying the remnants. Behind her, appearing from no where another night creature … more
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About the reviewer
FM_ALEX
Ranked #4
Ranked #4
I basically am just a normal person obbsessed with Mixed Martial Arts, pro wrestling, movies of all kinds, music of all kinds, books of all kinds, and of course foods of all kinds. Just trying to keep … more
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About this movie
D, a haunted half-human, half-vampire warrior, wanders the countryside of a feudalistic future, hunting his own kind while battling his own evil nature. Like a rogue samurai, the silent, solitary hero wanders into a small hamlet terrorized by the all-powerful Count, a monstrous vampire lord, and his demonic minions from a castle that casts a long shadow over the countryside. The Count has claimed the human Doris (who wields a mean cutlass herself) as his bride. D becomes her protector and--when she's captured by the Count's shape-shifting minions--her savior. Designed in slashes and sharp, angular images and directed with abrupt explosions of lightning-fast action,Vampire Hunter Dis violent and bloody in the mode of a samurai adventure. The sleek D is appropriately dark and quiet, cutting a mysterious figure, while the Count is a veritable demon of a vampire, a supernaturally powerful monster whose appetites know no bounds. The undercurrent of sexuality never spills over into the sadistic vein of so many "adults only" thrillers, but it is recommended for mature audiences.
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The DVD features both English and Japanese language soundtracks with optional English subtitles. It also has a documentary featurette, deleted footage, and an artwork gallery by Amano among its supplements. --Sean Axmaker
Based on the novel D-YOUSATSUKOU by Hideyuki Kikuchi, VAMPIRE HUNTER D follows the exploits of the mysterious vampire hunter known only as D. Half vampire himself (Count...
Director:
Carl Macek,
Toyoo Ashida
Genre:
Action,
Animation,
Horror
DVD Release Date:
October 17, 2000
Runtime:
80 minutes
Studio:
Urban Vision
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The otakus compare it with other things visually and this is why the dated animation thing holds up. Most well rounded anime fans know what they're talking about, and if you compare this to lets say Castle of Caglistro, then you know D is dated visually. Even Neo Tokyo holds up pretty well. Yeah, you can say it's unfair to compare it to those titles due to the budget of the former, and that the story was told mainly through the visuals of the latter. But this is a flawed argument as well, since people still use Akira and Ghost in the Shell as examples against later and earlier titles. I think the dated animation thing is a legit complaint. But it shouldn't be the single reason to pan the movie and look over its story, no more than it should be to praise a movie with fantastic visuals and a completely lackluster story. But back to one of your other points. If the third movie was to come out and be visually more impressive than the second. You don't have to take any of the visual claims back, because there is a such thing as standing the test of time, which Akira and Ghost in the Shell are doing to this very day. Maybe in another 30 years they will appear to be dated.
Your second point really doesn't make sense to me. You haven't done many anime reviews so I can't really make any type of judgement from that POV. But you have done lots of movie reviews, and you sound like you have more than a reasonable grasp on what makes a movie work. And I still can't believe you would use the animation as the base on what tells the story. Vampire Hunter D: Bloodlust does not come off as a horror/romance because of the visuals. It comes off as one due to the narrative; ie, direction, story, characters and their motives. This is why it feels that way. This movie here makes no real attempt at serious romance even though there are hints to a smaller one. If the original had the visuals of the second, all depending on how it's directed would determine if the horror like setting works or not. Example - High School of the Dead does not have a gritty look, its look is very polish and consist of the usual school girl thing. It deals with very dark content taking place in a zombie apocalypse. It fails miserably due to the clashing of genres. No matter what visual style would have been chosen, it still would come off completely ridiculous and still be a failure because none of it can be taken seriously.
Now, if you watch When They Cry, which uses younger characters in school girl outfits with non gritty visuals. It succeeds because it uses its horror and dark elements very well. In fact, better than any anime I've seen including Requiem from the Darkness.
I would never try to change someone's mind on what they like. I have nothing against anyone for liking or loving anything I don't. I just take issue when folks fact something as being the greatest, especially when it doesn't have an airtight plot, in the case of this right here. If someone says it's the greatest to them, then that's a different story. If you can overlook around 300 anime titles that has a better plot, story, characters, and use of themes than this. Then hey, that's your right to do that and I wouldn't fault someone who feels that way. Personally, I can't do that. I love Cowboy Bebop. But it has nothing on Visions of Escaflowne as far as I'm concerned.
You actually sum up what I was saying in your second paragraph with "I think the dated animation thing is a legit complaint. But it shouldn't be the single reason to pan the movie and look over its story, no more than it should be to praise a movie with fantastic visuals and a completely lackluster story." I am not saying that is not a legit complaint I am saying it is not legit if it is all somebody wants to throw out there. You also some up another point I made when you said "You don't have to take any of the visual claims back, because there is a such thing as standing the test of time, which Akira and Ghost in the Shell are doing to this very day. Maybe in another 30 years they will appear to be dated".
I said in the review "The thing that is truly unfair is judging something based on things it can't help, animation gets better over the years because of the progression of technology and budgets. Hence why I was saying those who do say that and claim that they love the second film for it's visuals based on their statements will then hate the second film because the third looks so good. I was trying to point out how stupid that sounds.
I am a bit confused with "I still can't believe you would use the animation as the base on what tells the story. Vampire Hunter D: Bloodlust does not come off as a horror/romance because of the visuals. It comes off as one due to the narrative; ie, direction, story, characters and their motives. This is why it feels that way." I never said that, I said "The second film is a romance tell when it really comes down to it, therefore I think that the polished look and feel to the animation adds onto the over all storyline. Were as the fist film is about a girl taken against her will by creatures of the night that have a bloodlust as deep as their master, this film is more about the evil in that world not the beauty that could be. That means the grainy [dated] and dark feel of the animation is a perfect fit." I was saying that the polished look of the second film added to the story because of the kind of story it was, and the grainy look of the first added to it's atmosphere. I never said the animation is the base of the story, I said it added to it. A visual style does not determine how the story works but it can add to it, I think each ones look added to their stories. I am sure with the right people any look could work for both, but a Grindhouse film works better with the grain and stuff, the first "TX Chainsaw Massacre" felt feel because of its look. The look of something can help or add onto.
I feel you didn't get what I was saying at all because you write "I just take issue when folks fact something as being the greatest, especially when it doesn't have an airtight plot, in the case of this right here". I actually agree with you as I can't stand that either just like with this I was saying I can't stand when people say something is horrible because of one thing, like the animation. I say in the last paragraph "there are those who only like it but prefer the second film based on story, structure, acting or what ever. Those seem like more legitimate reasons to prefer the second film over this one not just disliking it more because of "dated" animation."
Also you say "If someone says it's the greatest to them, then that's a different story.", that is great because I said in the last paragraph "Any way different people have different taste and for me this is a classic by far as is the second one in my opinion,". There are classic out there for sure and to some this isn't one of them, I love "Akira" and others but I also love this one. If someone else doesn't like it, cool, but to just hate on something is as ridiculous as "when folks fact something as being the greatest" like you said.
Like I said in this review it is not pushing my feelings of it on any one else but I will defend it against any one who says my personal feelings are wrong based on one thing. Like that douche that lived next door to us.
"I said in the review "The thing that is truly unfair is judging something based on things it can't help, animation gets better over the years because of the progression of technology and budgets. Hence why I was saying those who do say that and claim that they love the second film for it's visuals based on their statements will then hate the second film because the third looks so good. I was trying to point out how stupid that sounds."
I get what you're saying now, I can't believe I missed those key words "those who say". This is not against ALL naysayers, only those who are looking for the next pretty thing. So you're only going at those who are narrowminded to the point where all they see is the visuals. That was my mistake. What happened is I'm just use to your current review style that only goes on about how you feel about what you're reviewing. And not use to your commentary style, which is addressing a handful of ignorant folks, you don't do that often. Yeah, there's a lot of truth in what you're saying. And the sad thing is, there will be folks to trash the 2nd movie as outdated should the 3rd have better visuals. That's just the way it goes sometimes. The only thing you can do is ignore those folks.