Review of 'Sky Blue'

sky_blue.jpg An incredible computer animation from a somewhat unexpected source: Korea. Very much in lines with the best computer animated features from Japan Sky Blue is very much in keeping with their best traditions.

It is 2142, humanity is basically split into those that live in the Utopian Ecoban city and those that live outside of it who far outnumber – and are exploited by – the city dwellers. Resentment is the order of the day as those outside of the city plot to overthrow it. Jay, a member of the Ecoban security forces is tracking down an intruder only to realize it is a childhood sweetheart who now lives outside of the city. She is confronted the uncomfortable truth that her privileged lifestyle is not shared by all of humanity.

Ok, not too much on originality but interesting in it's own way. Don't expect too much in the way of any additional philosophy but the characters are moderately interesting if a bit one-dimensional (for example, a child caught in the cross-fire does little more than weep for the whole film).

Here, the effects are the main character with the dark visuals frequently overwhelming the often frantic action (a particular scene with rain falling is unbelievable – hard to tell the difference between reality and animated!). A must-see for anyone interested in Asian cinema and, in particular, Japanese animation. Here's hoping that the 7 years they took to make Sky Blue is not how long we have to wait for the next offering out of Korea!

Rating: “It is OK but I have some issues”

Review Date: 2008-05-17


Directed by: Moon Sang Kim

Studio: End Game Productions Inc.

Year: 2003

Length: 82 minutes

Genre: Animation

http://www.imdb.com/title/tt0353014/