Mezzo Forte

1998-Animated/Japan

This is the famed Yasuomi Umetsu's 2nd work. The first one is this movie 'Kite' which was very artistic and quite unprecedented for an unknown anime writer/director. His second attempt is in the same vein but in the realm of heavy comedy and dissfunction.

Synopsis:
Momokichi is a brutal baseball owner with mob connections. A mysterious old man hires Mikura and the Danger Service Agency (DSA) to kidnap Momokichi. but the DSA has bigger problems standing in their way, namely Momokichi's daughter Momomi, a young girl with a twisted mind and a loaded gun. Now the DSA must find a way to accomplish their mission without getting slaughtered in the process.

All-in-All:
Direction and Artistry is fine. The pacing is breakneck and the plot twists and turns are compelling but if anything this film was a far cry from reaching the mark. Namely the Characters are lost, and undeveloped. I've had problems remembering their names outside of just knowing their descriptions, and attitudes. There was no actual threat of loosing a favorite characters or ones life in jeopardy, which makes the general plot sink in the water. NOT SAFE FOR CHILDREN if you accidentally get the 'Uncut' version. To some way, the 'Uncut' scenes actually distract and confuse the viewers more for a senseless sex scene.

Riko's Rating: C+