Tekkonkinkreet

This vigorous anime feature, theatrically released earlier in 2007, takes place in a wacky Japanese city called Treasure Town. There's no obvious treasure to be found, but that doesn't stop two young boys—named Black and White—living in a broken-down automobile from becoming caught up in all sorts of wild adventures, including a turf struggle between the Yakuza and a slimy real estate developer named Snake who wants to level Treasure Town and construct a Disney-esque amusement park called Kiddie Kastle. The lads also cross paths with bumbling cops, flying aliens, a gangster trying to make a better life for his pregnant girlfriend, and a rambunctious old man called Gramps. Tekkonkinkreet becomes progressively more absurd before reaching a psychedelic climax that seems to have more in common with 2001: A Space Odyssey than the preceding scenes, but under the direction of Michael Arias (a Tokyo-based American), who freely adapted Taiyo Matsumoto's popular manga, the film serves up dazzling imagery and surprising emotional depth to compensate for its decided lack of coherence. Presented on a dual-language disc, rated R, DVD extras include audio commentary by Arias, a 40-minute “making-of,” and an interview with Arias and British techno band Plaid, who contributed the memorable score. Recommended. [Note: this is also available in a beautiful-looking Blu-ray high-def release priced at $38.95.] Aud: P. (P. Hall)