I decided to watch this film after I saw Detroit: Become Human. I was a little miffed about the idea of androids developing emotions on their own. It just didn't sit right with me (even though I have enjoyed similar works of art in the past).

I suppose it comes down to principles (and my beliefs as a result). I think of emotions as something nature came up with - often, it can act as the mediator - fastest way to reach a conclusion, rather than through logic. Think about buying jam - two different brands, same flavors, same price. Which do you choose? (Things like brand loyalty come into play...along with the sort of emotion associated with these brands, and their marketing strategies).

I suppose I should give Detroit a second chance...I was just annoyed by the flaws androids took on. I mean, androids are supposed to be superior than us, at least in logical programming. Why would they (a sentient android for instance) adapt emotions? Why would they need it?

Onto the actual review then, fair warning: light spoilers overall.

I liked how the movie had 'thrifty' version of robots - not streamlined or anything. Again, this might be partly due to when the original manga was written (although one of the main characters - a robot is a lot more like robots these days - the way they are portrayed in various media). So it might just be a choice taken to contrast between the said character and other robots.

I am a fan of SciFi and fantasy - even more so when they get world building right (which is also why I am a fan of Maruyama's Overlord LN). The world is lively - humans and robots, each with their own lives/functions. It's a world that I wanted to explore. I liked how Tezuka envisioned technology - a blending of what was then, and what he thought would happen. It's sort of like a time capsule, to capture the ideas of those who lived past about the future.

The movie also explores a lot of ideas in detail. The nation under question (Metropolis) is in many ways a reflection of our world - contrast of rich and the poor (and rich quite literally have built a city upon the poor). The only difference is that role robots play, by replacing a lot of human jobs. I reckon this is something we will have to deal with in a couple of decades (or even years).

There's an ongoing revolution (nods to Marxist ideas - with parallels to bourgeois and proletariat classes) - and the revolutionaries are then used why those in power to further their own goals (something that has happened so many times in our own world).

Heavy spoilers (comments on climax and such):

I admit, I wasn't exactly a fan of Rock, but his loyalty for his 'father' figure is almost admirable. I kind of understand why he hate robots - after all, what else are you going to think when you are raised in such a world? I also liked the climax - I thought for sure that they were going to end up both main characters alive and all. Instead the robot died. I did check wiki page, and it mentions that the other main character goes onto rebuilt the android. Part of me almost wanted the destruction of mankind, lol. Impetus I suppose, for treating robots like anything

Story: 8.5/10
Characters: 9/10
Visuals: 7 (+1 for the unique robots and amount of detail) = 8/10
Audio: 6.5/10
Enjoyment: 9.5/10
Idea/Uniqueness: 8/10

Overall: 8.3/10.

83/100