Revolutionary Girl Utena -
The Movie
Anime DVD Review
Director Kunihiko Ikuhara takes the entire TV series plot and streamlines it to 80 minutes, while at the same time, giving the fans an entirely new alternate universe, all new action, and produces a film unlike anything you've ever seen before. The opening sequence alone makes this one worth watching — again and again. And watch it many times you must — in order to peel away the incredible number of layers of dense metaphor. Much like TV's first true masterpiece The Prisoner, Utena's surface action is really just symbolism for a deeper, thought-provoking and somewhat incomprehensible plot.
 We're sorry, but your brain must be ON while you watch this film. Taking everything at face-value will leave you confused and disappointed. But those of you that can see the lines of the story between the written words will be in for a real treat. Simply every scene is loaded with allegorical imagery and the film is loaded with jaw-droppingly beautiful artwork. However, a warning: instances of lesbianism, murder, incest, child molestation, and suicide might make this movie inappropriate for children's viewing (or may make your parents squeamish!). So watch in private!
Reviewed by Brian Cirulnick, October 2002
Utena 2:
Virtual Star Embryology
Anime Soundtrack Review
A must-have companion CD containing unconventional, but unique blends of eerie, mischievous, whimsical, moody and emotionally-charged dueling chorus music produced by Shinkichi Mitsumune (Fooly Cooley) and J.A. Seazer for the Revolutionary Girl Utena TV series.
This 28-track CD swings out with 10 vocal tracks, including the second ending theme "Virtual Star Embryology" (as well as a Karaoke version), and the TV size versions of the first opening song "A Round Dance Revolution", the ending theme "Truth", as well as 18 instrumental tracks that retain the clever. eclectic characteristics of the first soundtrack.
Reviewed by Brian Cirulnick, April 2005
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