Product Description

The rebirth of the future from the ashes of the past... It has been 300 years since mankind s interference with the environment left Earth in ruins. Now, the remnants of humanity are divided as never before. The crumbling remains of vast cities stand in tenuous coexistence with the encroaching forest, and humans live on both sides of this brewing conflict. Young Agito, the son of an aging hero, inadvertently sets in motion a series of catastrophic events when he wanders into a forbidden zone of the forest. He stumbles across a cryogenic stasis tube containing Toola, a girl who has a vital mission entrusted to her from the past... It is an unsteady peace in an unnatural time. Only by searching their souls and examining the past will Agito and Toola understand the origin of all things and unite mankind with the forest.

Product Details

• Amazon Sales Rank: #1980 in DVD
• Released on: 2008-08-25
• Rating: Suitable for 12 years and over
• Format: PAL
• Original language: Japanese, English
• Number of discs: 1
• Running time: 94 minutes

Synopsis
Set in a post-apocalyptic future, ORIGIN SPIRITS OF THE PAST: THE MOVIE is the gripping action/adventure anime that details the struggle that exists between the warring factions of human survivors.

Customer Reviews

Unusual
I'm not quite sure how to review this DVD - my impressions were very mixed. The title sequences were beautifully done, and the music was lovely; however, once the real story began, I found myself becoming less and less intrigued. Although some aspects were fun, i have to say that some aspects were really silly. I particularly object to clips which show people running, but not actually moving anywhere, because the background never changes! However, it is well dubbed and the story line is intriguing with good links to ecological themes.

I'm not sure if it's the genre that i don't enjoy - or if it was just this particular movie - but I don't think I'll be looking for any more like it.

Origin Spirits of the Past
I was so looking forward to this film that I had to put it in the DVD player as soon as it dropped through my letterbox; and from the powerful and beautifully animated opening credits, with evocative music and stirring imagery, I knew I was going to be in for a treat. This film has excellent post apocalyptic and environmental themes that infuse it with a sense of drama and excitement, as soon as you've watched fifteen minutes you'll be hooked to the very end. The tag line on the cover says 'the most impressive looking anime movie to come out since Steamboy' and I'm inclined to agree. The film is beautifully rendered and the animation is lush and detailed. If you like ghibli and more modern manga and anime then this film will be right up your street. This film is superbly dubbed into English and you get none of that cheesy dubbing from past anime films i've seen. The story was reminiscent of 'Nausicaa' in places, what with the forest fighting back, but it comes from a genetic modification angle, that ties the film into advances in science since that film and the perceived dangers associated with them. At just under 90 minutes this film is a perfect length and will easily keep your attention for the duration. A top anime film that comes highly recommended.

The age of the triffids.
When a girl is revived from cryo-stasis she is told how trees hold power over the world, even going as far as controlling how much water is made available. This convenient explanation fills us in on the back story and explains the reasoning behind the incredibly impressive opening sequence. And it really is impressive, the dramatic music and the slick animation show the advancing of the plants from the moon, burning through the Earth's atmosphere - an event which eventually led to the dystopia we see on screen.

The age of technology has passed and humanity exists against a ravaged backdrop of ruined cities. A blend of hand-drawn and computer animation work well, and the backgrounds are beautifully drawn to give amazing detail - almost photographic in some cases!

I have seen many films which deal with forest spirits (Princess Mononoke (Special Edition) and My Neighbour Totoro being two studio Ghibli examples) but the idea of genetically modified plants with their own intelligence feels like a clever alternative.

The ensuing adventure/battle between those who want the trees to be obliterated and those who want harmony introduces the familiar anime themes of environmentalism, giant mecha constructions, and the desire to finish off a father's work.

In a nutshell: staggering animation with a plot which should have been better but sometimes simply dragged. I'd give this 3.5 if I could, but I can't. So I'm opting for 4. I enjoyed this, and it's a 'must watch' for anime fans, if just for the visuals alone.