A film that looks like a video game. The quality of the animation varies from the superb to naive. Visually it's unbalanced but largely engaging.The storyline could have been written on the back of a postage stamp -- which is just as well as that way it doesn't interfere with the action sequences which seem to be the film makers primary interest.The idea of an artificial intelligence taking over and assimilating humanity has been done before and better by Star Trek's Borg and appears to have been borrowed wholesale here. Personal "devices" cause the general population to morph into homicidal Zombies who stagger down the street like rejects from Michael Jackson's Thriller video. Yet, despite discovering this, our heroes don't even try to eradicate this "fashion accessory". Well, there wouldn't be a film if they did.I can understand the film's appeal to a narrow band of the population -- mainly young men, I'd imagine -- but don't believe the raves or the 7.1 rating. It's nothing special.

I'm not a huge fan of anime or 3D animation, but i am a fan of great animated movies that have substance, a story-line that holds from the beginning to the end, thorough and not rushed out character development, great scenery and camera shots that make sense for the moment.There are many things i liked about this movie, and a some i didn't like.Some might say that the animation in this movie was flawless. I say it was not and it has nothing to do with opinion. It has something to do with fact and what is capable to be done. I believe that the animation could have been much, much better. The still objects such as the city, buildings, and vehicles were definitely excellent, but the people didn't stand, move, or talk realistically enough and nowadays it is possible to come VERY close to that - but it seems like they ran through that and didn't put enough effort into it. I'll just assume they had a time limit and that was the least of their worries - a lesser worry than the story-line should be.So I assume than the story line and character development would be the main focus here, since little was done to better or outdo the first Appleseed movie. I have to say it was in a way equal to the first. A few things i liked the most about this one was the interaction between the character or Deunan and Tereus. The chemistry was well illustrated, and I wish the envelop was pushed a little further and there was some type of physical contact, kissing or something, anything more than just a hug. This way to explore love in a different between a human and a biologically engineered human being that is the copy of someone that you still love.The cinematographic was entertaining, but the music wasn't that great. I can't stand the upbeat electronic music and wish it had been replaced by something more suitable like some different electronic music that made sense for the movie and the action scenes. A few times i felt trapped in a rave club or some rave party, which i enjoyed when i was in high school, but never enjoyed in a good Sci-Fi movie. I would have stuck with organic or industrial sounds for effects.Overall this movie isn't better or worse than the first. It's very entertaining and i greatly enjoyed it.

If you are watching Appleseed Saga: Ex Machina for the first time - this is top notch at all. The world is shiny, beautiful, scary. But comparing it with Appleseed (2004) this is nothing new. Poor script, same cool (but same) graphic quality. For me personally the major disappointment is the music (OST). The previous (2004) was moving by the marvelous techno rhythms by Oakenfold and Boom Boom Sattellites. This is action! This time, action B-class, SF movie and... script is getting stuck in some places and very boring clear complicated j-acid and electro OST is doing nothing for help. Finally, if you haven't seen prequel - you will not understand the movie. Well, just enjoy the pretty picture. If you have watched it - you will find nothing new.

I really appreciated this post modern SciFi saga. There are some scenes and themes that reminded me of Star Trek Borgs assimilation, The Matrix Sentinels attacks, Blade Runner city atmosphere and commercials, Star Wars space vehicles landings and political environment, Transformers battle of machines and not to forget the zombies from Resident Evil. The graphics are really stunning. The way the city landscape has been designed is phenomenal. The motion capture is seamless. The camera movement is very realistic. The love story in the movie was touching in the way it depicts how love is unconditional. The scene where Deunan is stumbling, and then you see that she took of her high heel shoes to feel comfortable is so hilarious, knowing what a tough cookie she is. What was missing in the story was to understanding better why and when Briareos became extensively replaced through cyborg equipment. I was lucky enough to see the English dubbed version.