When you think of surrealist films, Mamoru Oshii's name probably doesn't come up. Known more for his animated adaptation of the Ghost in the Shell series, Oshii's films focus more of the complex political/technological themes. "Kerberos Panzer Cops" is a series created by Oshii about an elite team of soldiers who work for, and above, the law. The series is most known for the iconic armor worn by said team.
"The Red Spectacles" is a live action film that works within the "Kerberos" series, but it's much different than the political/philosophical ramblings of "Jin-Roh," an animated film that mostly embodies the "Kerberos" series. "Spectacles" is about Koichi Todome, a somewhat bumbling character who does not seem like the same character, clad in that iconic armor, stoically escaping Japan and leaving his comrades behind to cover his escape. Years later, Koichi returns to Japan, seeking his old comrades and possibly more...
While the summary of the film seems straight forward, the actual film is anything but. Koichi's journey through his homeland is filled with bizarre characters and almost parody-like antics, all filmed in sepia colors. The heady mix of contemplation and slapstick humor keeps the film interesting, even if it never bothers to answers any of the questions it puts forth.
Who is the Red Riding Hood, whose face is plastered all over the city? What happened to Koichi's armor? What are the Red Spectacles? It doesn't really matter, because the journey is more interesting than the destination.
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