Phoenix 2772 (1980)

Excellent but underrated film

if their story seems completely bonkers, almost like a feverish work of fiction, you ain't heard nothing yet.

Exactly the movie you think it is, but not the movie you want it to be.

True to its essence, the characters remain on the same line and manage to entertain the viewer, each highlighting their own distinctive qualities or touches.

Apparently 2772 has suffered much the same way that Nausicaa suffered in translation, further add the dilemma of context and we have something that no doubt has justifiably earned some low scores from reviewers. I haven't seen the old dub, but now with its Region 4 reissue on DVD (and I assume an R1 to follow), what we get is something truly magnificent. Not perfect by any means, but definitely Tezuka working at the peak of his animating ability. For those who have seen his experimental short films, this film seems to be much from that same vein. Here is where context comes in, because as a stand alone film, 2772 may seem weird and hard to appreciate. Taken as a whole--with Tezuka's other work under your belt--well, then you have something truly special.The story does not seem a direct adaptation of any of the phoenix stories, but many familiar characters (both from Phoenix and elsewhere) appear. The story line will feel familiar and at home with anyone who has read the phoenix books, but it is something new (it is sort of a new twist on the book 'future'.) The real treat here though is the animation. With what is seemingly more funds than Tezuka knew what to do with, virtually every scene is fertile with new ideas. Shots are rarely 'flat' the way they are in TV shows like Astroboy and Kimba. Instead, we have fluid perspective where not only are the characters moving, but so is the 'camera'. There are numerous multi-layered scenes using various psychedelic textures and cloud patterns. Much effort is put into making every scene feel important. When all these techniques are not enough, Tezuka resorts to what he knows best, and just starts drawing the most surreal space creatures you could imagine. For instance, on a planet that seems to be run by Mustachio, we see every possible alien design, most of which are ridiculous (reminiscient of the surreal encounters in 'Nostalgia'.) From the perspective of a fan of animation and a fan of Tezuka, Phoenix 2772 (I'm not sure why it is translated 'space fire bird') is a 10/10. This is in so many ways the culmination of Tezuka's studies in animation, a celebration of new possibilities (and also of animation in general.) The flavor of the original Phoenix stories are also captured with perfection in this film despite 2772 being a new story.For outsiders however; those who don't know Tezuka's works and may not have interest in pre-90's anime, 2772 could be a difficult work that at times seems pointless, and with an end that makes little sense. I think the original language with subtitles should help tremendously, but the film is still quite surreal and takes some chances (that may be seen as faults by some.) With that in mind, I've given the film an 8/10 (but fans will know it deserves more.)

I first watched this film when i was about 10. I didn't really like it then though i thought it was a bit weird and even scary. I only saw it again a few days ago when i found a VHS copy on the internet,that's 14 years after i first saw it. I'll have to say it's not the best anime of all time,and it's not the place to start if you're not a fan. But i loved it all the same as it reminds me of my childhood. My memories of it were right as it was weird though not scary. The animation was OK but the problem was the direction as it was very patchy. So if you don't like anime or Tezuka then don't bother. But it is definitely worth investigating,and frankly i prefer it over the newer animes which seem to be more about the animation and the special effects than the story or characters. Another thing about this movie is that it has great music.The version i've got is the dubbed version which as usual is crap. I know that it's been released on DVD(region 4),i hope it gets a release in the UK. 10/10

I saw this movie when i was 7 years old and i still remember it as th e matter of facts i have it on my collection, it may look not good to adults or to the "newer" anime fan. but to me this is a classic(note it's very suitable for children) if you grew up with Starzinger(Spaceketeers) Mazinger Z, Voltes V, Techno Police 21C, Starblazers, Space Warriors Baldios many more from the era you will enjoy this! You will love Olga (Godo's female cyborg) and Pincho (friendly alien pet)This is the original serialized story for the theatrical film "The Phoenix," the theme of which is the immortality of life. Against the background of a futuristic universe, Godo, who at first has karma as a human being, is transformed into a god through numerous ordeals. As this was the first full-animated film, the outlines of human figures are slightly blurred, presenting a technical problem to be overcome. The entire story reflects Tezuka Osamu's desire to portray transformation, including the episode in which a female-shaped robot falls in love with a man and has her dream granted by the Phoenix. Winner of the Inkpot Award at the 1980 San Diego Comic Convention, and theAnimation Award at the 1st Las Vegas Film Festival, 1980

This played Berkeley's now late UC Theater, subtitled and complete, 1980 or so. I can't be sure what's on the current VHS dub, and wouldn't suggest anyone buy or rent a dub of any film, much less encourage such mutilation by purchasing one for myself. But there is another way: Back in '80 or so, Kodansha Anime Comics put out a four-paperback set containing the complete " Hi no tori 2772," that I bought when I had the chance, guessing rightly the film might vanish. This is not another instance of a manga upon which the film was based, though there's probably one of those around too. Instead it's a graphic novel composed apparently of the original animation cels, colors intact, edited to the page, with dialog transferred to standard white balloons and sound effects to free-floating katakana. Far as I can tell, the whole film is there. The first 47 pages, covering the protagonist's test-tube birth, his discovery of his all in one robot/mother/friend/unattainable love, and his rapid, to us, growth from infant to child to boy to young adult, are essentially silent and nearly as magical as I remember them being on the screen. There are plenty more similarly "silent" sequences, so if you know even a few characters and a little syntax it's possible to flip through all four volumes with a reasonable idea of what's going on. With no Japanese at all, you still might do okay.Random thoughts: The villain is a take on "Popeye's" Bluto. The robot is both sentient and emotioned. The techno mumbo-jumbo that you might not get with no translation is mad-scientist stuff about tapping the earth's core, or maybe it's just volcanoes, for power. A couple of touchpoints for "2772" might be "Le Soufflé au coeur" and "Tadpole." Not to mention "A.I." and (stupid-seeming teeny movie that nonetheless keeps coming up) "Andromedia." Think too about kid protagonist Shinji, virtually, though not truly, motherless, taken in by, living with, raised by, finally kissed ("This is a kiss between adults.") by older Misato in "Neon Genesis Evangelion." What exactly's up with all these mother-not-mother figures? Maybe Dylan had a clue: "...if only I could turn back the clock/to when Gaawwd and her were boorrrrn."