#live action

Well, I recently got through NETFLIX's live action interpretation of the acclaimed 1998 series "Cowboy Bebop." Cowboy Bebop is my all-time favorite anime, and I'd been anticipating the live-action portrayal since it was announced several years ago. I have some mixed feelings about this now that I've seen it for myself, so I'll start off with some Pro's:

1. The setting, lighting, colors, and tone of the live action are gorgeous. If there was any justice done to this series, it would be to the aforementioned. Whether it was the Church that made its illustrious appearance at the end of the season, or New Tijuana in the beginning of the season, the theme park that served as setting for Spike and Mad Pierrot's showdown, or the inside of the Bebop, all were gorgeous. I even liked how they did the intro, the one accompanied by "Tank." I have absolutely no complaints.

2. The Music, Style, and Pacing were quite good. As I understand it, Yoko Kanno reprised her role as composer for this live-action adaptation which explains the reason the music was on point, and quite timely. Stylistically, I really liked it as well. I've loved the film-noir genre since I was a kid (e.g. "Detour," "the Killers," "Touch of Evil," etc.) And admittedly I have a bias for it. I also liked how the series was competent  in its capacity to alternate between comedic, dark, and poignant moods.

3. Mustafa Shakir. Now, I understand that as always, especially as it concerns live-action adaptations of beloved anime, there's an an issue of "-washing." Whether it was "Asian-washing" Spike Spiegel, or "Mexican-washing" Faye Valentine, or "white-washing" Edward, or even "Black-washing" Jet. (Thank goodness, Ein was spared.) And to some extent, I understand given that washing the characters come off more as pandering than anything integral or organic. With that said however, I never understood the online controversy with Jet's "Black-washing." Aficionados of the 1998 anime, especially the English Dub, with a bit of research would know that Jet was voiced by a so-called "Black" man. And Mustafa Shakir does a great job not only mimicking Jet's mannerisms, but his voice as well--even the inflections. Shakir's rendition of Jet's character is probably my favorite portrayal of the whole adaptation (second would be Edward in spite of her brief appearance.)

Now for the con's:

Vicious: No, no, no, no, no, no, no, no, no, no, no, no, no, no, no, no, no, no, no, no, no, nononononononononononononononononononononononononono! NO! No, no, no, no, no, no, no, no, no, no, no, no, NO! What the hell were they thinking with this? Rather than the stoic, enigmatic, soft-spoken, serpent-like character of his anime incarnation, the live-action decides to flip the script, and portray Vicious as an overly-talkative, overly emotional, Wal-Mart version of Hugh Grant who's preoccupied with his father's approval. No, NO! This is one of the most egregious faux-pas of the live-action. I wanted to laugh, but I was so annoyed with this portrayal, I couldn't.

To be continued... (and trust me there's more!)