L/R: Licensed by Royalty--Mission File 1: Deceptions

There's much potential in this anime series, which combines a Cool Britannia sense of classy espionage with Japanese anime style and action. More's the pity, then, that the plots in most of these early adventures are little more than red herrings. Artifacts are stolen, international conspiracies are hatched, and high-level diplomats are taken hostage, but it's all just an excuse for blond pretty-boy Jack Hofner and brunette pretty-boy Rowe Rickenbacker--royal family protectors--to preen, flirt, and save the day. Rather than commenting on the James Bond mythology that forms the background of the entire series, L/R simply embraces the clichés, including the outmoded ones, such as the assistant Claire, who giggles when the boys harass her and can't do much more than cook for them. While the gravity-defying action scenes are thrilling, there's precious little at stake here as the two nearly invincible spies work their customary magic while making awkward and stale jokes regarding which of them is “L” and which is “R.” Points, though, for the jaunty harmonica score and Americanized Japanese pop tunes on the soundtrack for this otherwise extra-less Japanese and English subtitled disc, rated 16-up. Optional. Aud: P. (D. Fienberg)