Metropolis (2001 film)
| Metropolis | |
|---|---|
Theatrical release poster
|
|
| Directed by | Rintaro |
| Produced by |
|
| Screenplay by | Katsuhiro Otomo |
| Based on |
Metropolis by Osamu Tezuka |
| Starring | |
| Music by | Toshiyuki Honda |
| Cinematography | Hitoshi Yamaguchi |
|
Production
company |
|
| Distributed by | Toho |
|
Release date
|
|
|
Running time
|
113 minutes |
| Country | Japan |
| Language | Japanese |
| Budget | $15 million |
| Box office | $4 million (North America) |
| Metropolis – Original Soundtrack | |
|---|---|
 |
|
| Soundtrack album by Toshiyuki Honda | |
| Released | 2002 |
| Genre | Jazz, Dixieland, Orchestral |
Metropolis (メトロポリス Metoroporisu?) is a 2001 Japanese science-fiction anime action film loosely based on the 1949 Metropolis manga created by Osamu Tezuka, itself inspired by the 1927 German silent film of the same name, though the two do not share plot elements. The anime, however, does draw aspects of its storyline directly from the 1927 film. The film was directed by Rintaro, written by Katsuhiro Otomo and produced by Madhouse with conceptual support from Tezuka Productions.
Humans and robots coexist in the futuristic city of Metropolis, although robots are discriminated against and segregated to the city's lower levels. A lot of Metropolis' human population are unemployed and deprived, and many people blame the robots for taking their jobs.
Duke Red, the unofficial ruler of Metropolis, has overseen the construction of a massive skyscraper called the Ziggurat, which he claims will allow mankind to extend its power across the planet. A wayward robot disrupts the Ziggurat's opening ceremony, only to be shot down by Rock, Duke Red's adopted son and the head of the Marduk Party, a vigilante group whose aim is to promote anti-robot sentiments. Private detective Shunsaku Ban and his nephew Kenichi travel to Metropolis to arrest Dr. Laughton, a mad scientist wanted for organ trafficking. Unknown to Shunsaku, Duke Red has hired Laughton to build an advanced robot modeled and named after Red's deceased daughter Tima. Red intends for Tima to function as a central control unit for a powerful secret weapon hidden in the Ziggurat. However, Rock learns of Tima's existence and, not wanting a robot to overshadow Red, shoots Laughton and sets fire to his laboratory.
Shunsaku comes across the burning laboratory and discovers the dying Laughton, who gives Shunsaku his notebook. Meanwhile, Kenichi finds the activated Tima. The two fall into the sewers and are separated from Shunsaku. While Shunsaku searches for his nephew, Kenichi and Tima search for a way back the street level. They grow close as Kenichi teaches Tima how to speak. Neither are aware she is a robot. The two are hunted relentlessly by Rock and his subordinates, and encounter a group of unemployed human laborers who stage a revolution against Red.
...
Wikipedia