Movie Night- Paprika

Paprika was released in 2006 and is based of the 1993 novel by the same name. It was written and directed by Satoshi Kon. 

Dr. Atsuko Chiba works as a schientist by day and, under the code name Paprika, is a dream detective at night. Atsuko and her colleagues are working on a device called the DC mini, which is intended to help psychiatric patients, but in the wrong hands it could destroy people's minds and blur the lines between dreams and reality. When the prototype is stolen, Atsuko, and Paprika, spring into action before damage is done.

I really like how trippy this movie is. From the very beginning you don't know that is real and what is the dream world. As the movie progresses you think you know what is real and what is a dream but then you realize that every thing is not what you really thought. 

I felt that the whole taking over the world for your own gain was a little simple for this movie. Everything else is so different and original, when you see that Seijiro Inui just wants to walk again, it's more then a little disappointing. He uses the technology that he stole to walk again and be an all powerful lord in the new world. It's a very simple bad guy takes over the world plot. Since the rest of the movie is so out there and different it didn't feel like it fit in the story. 

I liked Toshimi Konakawa's story much better. Even though it felt a little forced into the rest of the story about the evil take over the world scheme. I liked that he had to really look back into his past and find the reason he was having bad and recurring dreams. It takes a lot to get there by your self. In the end Paprika helped him get there, but it was him that did every thing to fix him self. I think he's the real hero of the movie. I really like how the movie ended with him getting a movie ticket and restoring his love of films after all those years.

I did also like that Atsuko and Paprika had to combine to defeat Seijiro. Even though she may not like Paprika she understands that she needs that part of her. But, I did feel like the her defeating Seijiro by eating him was a little bit of an easy way out. The movie had less then five minutes and she defeats him in about a minute. It felt very rushed and a bit forced. 

I did really like that Atsuko fell in love with Kosako Tokita in the end. It makes sense they worked closely together and she couldn't just leave him when the dream world and reality were combining. Also, he went into the dream world because she was upset at him and he wanted to show her he could help and wasn't like Kei Himuro. It is kinda nice to see the hero, Toshimi, doesn't always get the girl even when he does want her. But, he's ok with that and understands.

I recommend this movie if you liked Inception. It's very similar to Inception or I should say Inception is very similar to Paprika, but is more about what is real and what is not. Also, Paprika has more boobs then Inception.

Next week I'm watching Tsumiki no Ie.

~^.^