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REVIEW: Red Garden DVD 2




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ikillchicken



Joined: 12 Feb 2007
Posts: 7272
Location: Vancouver
PostPosted: Mon Nov 12, 2007 9:02 pm Reply with quote
Okay, this review just confused the hell out of me. Now, I cant make any judgements on my own as I am still currently waiting for the arrival of Vol 1 in the mail. Overall though this seems to give the impression that its not very good but an improvement from Vol 1. However, Vol 1 got quite a good review.

This review criticizes it for "overripe theatrics" whereas the first review complimented it for what appears to be the same elements. This seemed to indicate they thought it was an improvement from vol 1 so I can't imagine it got worse. I guess its just a matter of vastly different opinions. Still, it seems strange that something would be a A- and then get better and be a C+/B-.

Either of the reviewers have any thoughts?
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Key
Moderator


Joined: 03 Nov 2003
Posts: 18456
Location: Indianapolis, IN (formerly Mimiho Valley)
PostPosted: Mon Nov 12, 2007 10:49 pm Reply with quote
As the reviewer of the first volume, I have yet to watch my copy of vol. 2 so I can't comment at this point on how it compares to the first. It's entirely possible that Carl just had a less favorable reaction to it than I did. (We usually agree on titles, but not always.)
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Nermal



Joined: 10 Jan 2006
Posts: 223
Location: I was made to hit in America
PostPosted: Tue Nov 13, 2007 3:37 am Reply with quote
I didn't really like the musical interludes either...it kind of ruined the mood for me, so I just fast forwarded through it. I'm still not entirely sure how I feel about this series...sometimes I really enjoy the suspense and big noses, and other times I just want to slap those screaming girls with a trout.
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Cowboy Cadenza



Joined: 31 Oct 2005
Posts: 243
Location: Poughkeepsie, NY
PostPosted: Tue Nov 13, 2007 12:13 pm Reply with quote
Key wrote:
As the reviewer of the first volume, I have yet to watch my copy of vol. 2 so I can't comment at this point on how it compares to the first. It's entirely possible that Carl just had a less favorable reaction to it than I did. (We usually agree on titles, but not always.)


Quite honestly, I agree with your review much more...I think one of the best things about Red Garden is that the characters actually seem realistic; I know people in real life who act the way these characters act. Perhaps Carl just needs to give it more time, since you do have to get more acquainted with the characters before the drama really starts to hit you as something meaningful. On the other hand, I don't think I was head-over-heels for Red Garden by episode eight either, so it's not a huge deal; he'll come around. Razz
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Jedi General



Joined: 27 Nov 2006
Posts: 2485
Location: Tucson, AZ
PostPosted: Tue Nov 13, 2007 6:01 pm Reply with quote
Gosh, what a difference in opinions between Carl and Theron! I did expect the second volume to get a lower grade than the first, since the series does have its share of peaks and valleys along the way (and personally I found the second 4 episodes to be a "valley"), but to drop as low as a B-/C+? Wow. I'm guessing that Carl just didn't have as good of a reaction to the series as Theron did. Hopefully he'll come to appreciate the "overripe theatrics" in time. Honestly, I found them to be one of the best parts about Red Garden.
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Anatticus101



Joined: 06 Nov 2007
Posts: 9
PostPosted: Tue Nov 13, 2007 8:30 pm Reply with quote
I also agree with the first reviewer, although I can not disagree with this review, since I have not seen this volume. I thought the first volume was amazing, espiecailly the animation, its new and refreshing (for me anyways never seen anything like it in anime before). Also the way the characters act just add to the whole feel of the anime. It all works together if you ask me. I really am looking forword to watching this one too.

Weird I never compared it to gantz but the whole dieing part, is way to simailler. Surprised I never noticed that >.>. But I do not think it is right to compare these two in any way. There far to diffrent from each other. Red Garden is diffrent and good if not better in its own way.
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Randall Miyashiro



Joined: 12 Jun 2003
Posts: 2451
Location: A block away from Golden Gate Park
PostPosted: Sat Nov 17, 2007 6:49 am Reply with quote
I remember being baffled at how the first volume got such a high rating here since I found it tough to get through. At it's best it reminded me of Utena, a series which sadly enough I could not get into, but understand why others like it.

I actually like the stylized art, especially the OP and eye catches. It reminds me of Speed Grapher in it's flatness which I loved, even though most hated it. This is one of the things that will keep me watching the series.

On the negative point I will agree on the musical interludes. Much like the group song in episode 2 which made me literally laugh mid-episode there are 3 musical pieces in volume 2 which are really bad. I notice that the first one is only half present in the dub (flipped to the dub to see how bad it was) with the second half being mercifully replaced with an instrumental only version. The second musical interlude with the big brother singing to himself is almost painful to watch. The last one with the girls singing together in the room is almost passable, especially compared to the others.

This series is really one that is hard for me to take seriously. There are a couple of neat scenes in volume two spoiler[like when the girls encounter themselves in coffins] which is just ruined when they all start weeping and getting hysterical in the very definition of self pity.

Out of the 60 shows that were released this year that I've collected so far this might be the lowest ranked one for me. I enjoyed Moonphase, Tokko, Coyote Ragtime Show, Innocent Venus, and 009-1 more than Red Garden. With so many great shows being released in 2007 I find it hard to recommend these other shows. Then again it does seem that some people here do enjoy this series. I think even Bamboo gave volume one a shelf worthy rank.

I'm also surprised at the lack of extras considering the excellent extras on ADV's other titles this year.
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