Urusei Yatsura - Movie 2 - Beautiful Dreamer (1984)

Originally released in 1984, the second Urusei Yatsura feature offers characters created by Rumiko Takahashi (Ranma 1/2) and a screenplay and direction by Mamoru Oshii (Ghost in the Shell). As the perpetually lecherous Ataru and his friends prepare for a carnival at Tomobiki High School, they gradually realize the days are literally repeating themselves. Any effort to break the pattern dumps them back where they started. They later discover their town has been reduced to a circle of land a few miles across, poised on the back of a gigantic sea turtle--a reference to "Urushima Taro," a Japanese Rip Van Winkle story. Takahashi and Oshii weave elements from other Japanese folk tales into their science fiction adventure. Although she's described as an alien princess, Lum has many of the attributes of an oni (demon), including horns, the ability to fly, and a tiger-skin costume (although hers is a bikini). The character designs reflect an interesting moment in animation history, when the influence of Western TV shows was giving way to the familiar anime style. Lum has large eyes and long viridian green tresses, but Ataru and his pals sport more Caucasian-looking hair and features. Unfortunately, the good-natured story runs out of steam after about an hour, and the film falters to a conclusion in an annoying series of false endings. Unrated; suitable for ages 12 and up: minor nudity, profanity, and cartoon violence. --Charles Solomon Amazon.com

The movie is five stars, the transfer zero...

...so I have to take off one star.

I don't have much to say about this true anime classic that other reviewers have not already said. If you like anime, even if you are a recent convert, watch this movie. Like the best of Miyazaki's work, it's truly special.
It desperately deserves a new release from a proper widescreen master, but sadly, I doubt it will ever get one. I finally bought the Japanese R2 release just to see it as it should be seen.
Finally, while I thought I had seen the worst of Charles Solomon's always incredibly insensitive and retarded anime reviews, this one takes the cake. I wonder who feeds him and changes his diaper? What a clueless bozo. Amazon should be ashamed to continue letting this idiot write anime reviews. October 6, 2008

Great to see a classic anime film and also an early work of Oshii Mamoru

It seems like for many anime viewers who have been watching anime for nearly or over three decades as I have has seem to comment on Urusei Yatsura's 2nd movie "Beautiful Dreamer" as a film that would be a classic.

A film that would deviate from the comedic style of the TV series and although still retaining its humor, to really show an almost sci-fi, yet almost serious storyline thanks to director and screenwriter Oshii Mamoru.

Many people know what kind of cerebral anime that Oshii would create after this film but this is where his talent was first displayed and where many anime fans at that time would clamor of how this was the ultimate anime film.

Originally released in theaters back in 1984, the series really had some major politics behind-the-scenes as Oshii who was really ticked off with how he had to change things for the producers for the first film, wanted to do things his own style with the second film. Not only did series creator Takahashi Rumiko nearly canned the script, Oshii also drew the ire of anime fans of the popular series.

For me, back in the early 90's "Urusei Yatsura", "Ranma 1/2 and "Maison Ikkoku" were Takahashi Rumiko fan favorites on the fan sub scene. In fact, I remember when she came to San Diego Comic Con in the early 90's and rocker Matthew Sweet had a Lum tattoo. "Urusei Yatsura" had its major fandom and people really talked about this film nearly ten years after it first came out in theaters in Japan. And yet for me, I was talking about corellations between this film and a Star Trek: the Next Generation episode about time repeating itself.

With "Beautiful Dreamer", Oshii takes the Urusei Yatsura cast for a ride as the team is preparing for a festival but for some reason, it seems like things are repeating itself and Ataru, Lum and friends start to realize something is wrong when they realize that they are the only ones in their city that are alive. Only Ataru's home and a nearby supermarket are the only functioning parts of the city and something has gone awry.

What has happened to the word? What has happened to the school? Who's behind it all?

Really, I don't want to spoil the film for anyone but what I will say that the fact that Oshii was behind the creation of this film and what he was able to accomplish in his career so far, you can look back at this film and just see how the famed director/screenwriter was able to come out of his shell and really make you think. Granted, it's not as cerebral as "Ghost in the Shell" but nevertheless, with the humor that "Urusei Yatsura" is known for but to put the cast in a situation for a film like this was quite interesting.

VIDEO:

I did not own the original DVD release back in 1998 but according to the back cover, it says it features digitally remastered video. From my viewing, I felt that the anime series on DVD looked great for a 1984 film. I've read that the Japanese remaster of the film was great because it was anamorphic but US Manga Corps did not use that transfer and chose to remaster it their own way. Signs still have its hard subtitles but all in all, not having owned or seen the Japanese remastered DVD, I can just tell you from my experience with this DVD that the animation looks great!

AUDIO:

I watched the film primarily in Japanese but I did watch certain parts of it with the original English dub. But I wasn't really into the English dub (but my preference is more towards the Japanese voice acting anyway) but I'm sure those who prefer that, may enjoy it. But watching it in Japanese and hearing Hirano Fumi as Lum and Furukawa Toshio as Ataru is just fun and I love watching those two interact.

SPECIAL FEATURES:

Specia features include an art galler, original Japanese trailer (which is widescreen btw...), the US trailr and trailer for the first film. The biggest special feature that makes this DVD worth owning though is the director's commentary by Oshii Mamoru. For those who are familiar with his work know that this man is a man of few words. And for him to give commentary for a film he did back in 1984 is special. I mean...as in a rarity. So, this alone enhances this DVD and makes it a "must-buy"!

For nostalgia reasons, I really wanted to see this film again and you can purchase it online for a good price these days.

There has been so much said about this film, may it be looked as "classic" because of its storyline, because it was written and directed by Oshii Mamoru or enjoyed by many as it was one of the first anime films to be shown on television and many people watched it on the Sci-Fi channel and thoroughly enjoyed it's repeating timeline story.

But for me the DVD was special in that I watched it with many fellow anime fans during an anime club meeting and remembering the laughs and everyone enjoying it. I remember just being around that "Urusei Yatsura"/Takahashi Rumiko crazy fandom in the early 90's and how everyone would clamor for the fan subs. And nearly 25 years later, after its release in the theaters and just realizing how much of a classic this film is, how much of a part Oshii Mamoru played and how it influenced him on works in the future and more.

I have no idea if a new version of this film will come out in 1999 for it's 25th Anniversary, I would imagine a Blu-ray release in Japan to celebrate it but for now and for it's low price, for those who have been curious about this film or wondered if it is worth purchasing, the answer is a "YES"!. It's definitely worth owning this film but also for it's rare special feature commentary featuring Oshii Mamoru.

Definitely check it out! September 16, 2008

A Beautiful Anime: A World Of Reality and Fantasy!

I am a late comer to anime. Yes, I own a few, which are some of the better known anime. One in particular that I was really impressed with was this anime, "Urusei Yatsura" aka: "Beautiful Dreamer" Amazing that an anime as old as this one [1984 release] has been able to hold up to time so well too. I first saw this anime back in 1990, but did not purchase it until 2004. There have been some very good reviews of this film, and it is deserving of its high praise. I have seen many anime films, some I like, some are okay, while others, such as this film are a real treat and worth adding to ones collection. As I stated in the beginning, I am relatively new to anime. I have seen several, but not a lot. This one belongs in your collection whether or not you are a fan of anime. It's really that good!

Moreover, this is one anime that I would have loved to have seen on the big screen in a good theatre. I saw the film in a cheesy dive that did not have the best of sound equipment or subtitles. [Many of the subtitles were difficult to read]. I understand that this film is the second of part of a six film collection. Unfortunately, I have yet to see the others in the series. However, this one is great even if there were no others in the series. I will have to seek out the others some time. I found the anime to be very funny and entertaining, yet also very philosophical too. I do not wish to rehash what had already been said by many reviewers, and more importantly, I do not wish to spoil this film for those who have not had the chance to view it yet. However, the films story centers on reality and dreams. What is real? And more importantly; What is love? The film starts off with the changing of the world, where events seem to repeat themselves: And eventually result with disappearing people, streets and the changing of reality itself. But what is reality?

I have to admit, that when I first saw the film I did not understand some of the film; with both reality and fantasy blurred, and I had to view it again to catch some of the films meaning. Therefore, it was a real treat to finally purchase this film a few years ago. [repeated viewings are necessary]. And I never tire of the repeat reviewing. Also, one more thing, the musical score in the film is great. It seems to go with the film. Also, do not let the age of the film deter you from purchasing [or renting the film] as the animation is just terrific. I highly recommend this film to all viewers. It is well worth purchasing, and if you are not sure, then at least rent the film. You will not be disapointed. I know I was not when I first saw the film, and when I eventually purchased it. Highly recommended! April 23, 2007

amazing

My friend first saw this film back in '98 when Sci-Fi channel aired it on their "Saturday Anime" programing block; for two weeks he could not stop yammering on about it. Four years later he picked up this DVD and called me over to watch it. I had seen some of the TV series before, but Movie 2 amazed me. It captures all the slapstick elements of the show, but they flow with in the context of a deep plot where the same day repeats over and over, much like the film Groundhog Day. As clues begin to surface that might shed some light on the strange occurances, people begin to disappear.

This film is probably the most popular title in the UY universe and for good reason. With the exception of a few characters, a viewer can jump in totally ignorant to the prior portions of the series. Also, it has a nice balance to the light hearted antics of the TV show, but combines that beautifully with the deeper existentialist trappings of the plot. The ending is satisfying, although the home stretch does drag some. All in all its a great buy for some one who has had some experience with anime, but its not a good starting point for the uninitiated.

This DVD is the only title not put out by Animiego, but it was translated for CPM by the same team, so the continuity and translation is exicelent. This also makes it the only one that is dubbed. its only in fullscreen which might bother some people. March 5, 2007

sorry for non-japanese speaker fans.

When I watched this movie in 1984. I stayed in the cinema for more than ten hours straight to watch the same movie three or four times that day. (In Japan, once you paid admission you could stay in the cinema until you were physically out of the cinema.) 21.5 years and a few movies later, I have never seen any movie that gives me more goosedumps that this movie. And many animation fans over 30 years old and a few greatest animation creators in Japan agree with me, including original Gundams' creator.

Urusei Yatsura was popular even when it was on the comics, so when it was recreated as TV series in the early 80s, it had got experienced voice actors (dubbers?). And without their unique voices, expressions, dialogs, and strange dialects you are experiencing this movie only by 50%. I watched the english version and I was impressed the work of translation, however unless you know the language, it's difficult to enjoy every aspect of it. December 5, 2005

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