This 1985 original video anime, remade as a series in 2005 (see review of Area 88: Treacherous Skies, Target 01 in VL-9/05), not only holds up fairly well, but remains highly relevant today given the world's current geopolitical mess. In Area 88, young pilot Shin Kazama is tricked by a rival into signing a contract to serve in the mercenary air force in a seemingly endless Middle Eastern war. Under the terms of the contract, Shin must serve three years or pay $1.5 million to break the pact (desertion is an unlikely option, given that the war is literally in the middle of nowhere). While the anime has plenty of Top Gun-worthy pyrotechnics, its humanistic story of an idealistic pilot being forced to kill is what's truly disturbing and compelling (and Shin is not alone in his quandary—other pilots share his unease over the bloody task before them). The animation is striking, particularly the battle sequences, though some parents may want to think twice about having younger children watch this title (its TV-PG rating is somewhat liberal). This double-disc set boasts a new English dubbed version (although the English dub on previous releases was serviceable and this one isn't conspicuously better); however, the subtitled Japanese version here is preferred. DVD extras include the featurette “Introduction of the Fighters” and an interview with original manga creator Kaoru Shintani. Recommended. Aud: P. (P. Hall)
Area 88
(1985) 2 discs. 195 min. DVD: $29.98. ADV Films (avail. from most distributors). Color cover. ISBN: 1-4139-1431-4. Volume 21, Issue 5
Area 88
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