Metropia

A very unique Scandinavian-English language film from the technical aspect. The only one kind in the whole world which is actually an experimental product from the new productions. It was made primarily using photoshop, and then adobe after effects for animation. If you're wondering what kind it is, actually a 2.5D animation, that means it is neither 2D or 3D, but between those two. Like tricking the 2D object as the 3D material.

Well they have succeeded to bring a visually impressive animation that mainly focused on the film character faces. The story was decent which is another dystopian concept where metro trains are the main content, hence it is called 'Metropia'. But the title also means 'visual refraction', that's what the story is slightly related too.

Anyway, it was very suspenseful till the final and mostly talking drama than physical action sequences. At some point I felt it was like the recent stop-motion animation 'Anomalisa', but realised that I predicted wrong and the story travelled in a different path to end decently. Though the overall film was very impressive from both technical and narrative wise. One must not miss it, just for a its rare kind, especially you like animations, but best suitable for adults.

7/10

Tarik Saleh's Metropia is for me the most striking animated film of the decade. It's crafted with a process called photo montage, in which the likenesses of the actors, or vague traces of them, are mapped into stunningly rendered images of eye boggling depth and clarity. The color palette and tone is groggy, grey and bleak, but because of the dazzling animation, such bleary proceedings seem gorgeous, a feast for the eyes and minds of anyone who loves innovative technology. The story itself isn't particularity groundbreaking, although well executed and with moments of singular brilliance. Because of the unique visuals on display though, we coast along on that high, and the story rises to meet it. Oddball cult favourite Vincent Gallo plays Roger, a timid office drone in a drab futuristic Europe, connected by an intricate underground metro system. He begins to hear voices, which are nefarious in nature, and lead him on a search that brings him to a multinational corporation involved in mind and body control for the sake of product sales, run by tyrant tycoon Ivan Bahn (Udo Kier, having a ball). He's pursued by the companies security force, headed up by Ralph (Stellan Skarsgard) and meets the voice itself, a drone just like him played by Alexander Skarsgard. He is aided by the mysterious Nina ( Juliette Lewis) in his search for the truth and a way out of the confusing conspiracy plaguing him. It's a paced, methodical movie, instead of loud diversions or cheap thrills, like a lot of animated gunk these days. It uses its skills sparingly to advance plot, making the magic in its animation all the more impactful when we do get to see it. It's also really funny in parts. It owes it's story to Orwellian efforts like 1984, as well as Terry Gilliam's Brazil, but makes an effort to break new ground of its own. A treat, if you're able to find it anywhere.

I have watched this move on a hint, haven't expected it to be much, but in the end it turned out swell. The atmosphere created and the style of the movie is excellent. I have really enjoyed it, as it is not heavy, but more tranquil-food-for-thought kind of movie.

The number of allegories in the movie is overwhelming, and there are many connections with how the society functions today.

The low ratings for this movie are almost certainly there because of the complexity of the work, not because it is bad. Getting to IMDb it immediately reminded me about Aronofsky's Fountain, which had (and still has) sub par user rating compared to the quality of the work.

I think that Metropia is worthwhile and enjoyable work, and can recommend it.

So first of all: In general I am a big fan of low-budget and small films. I think thats where the real passion is.

And Metroia really was a one-man-thing. At least that what I took from it. So there is a pretty impressive achievement here. No doubt. I respect that. I like that.

So it kinda hurts me that I have to say that Metropia would have been a better short film then a feature. It sometimes just dragged. And not in a moody or artistic way (dont worry, I am all in for Tarkovsky and Co) but just with spans of scenes that are not interesting. You can argue that a certain kind of monotony helps you understand the character better. I guess thats correct. But there was still a little underwhelming taste in the end.

It's a story somewhere in the lines of 1984. Dystopian is a genre in itself and it's part of the New World Order conspiracy which has been the theme of many cinema and literature since the 50ies. So yes the core of the story is an old one and all has to come from the graphics, characters and small storyline differences.

In that aspect it's not a masterpiece but it is surely nothing to sneeze at. The animation is very okay. The characters are very average human beings which makes them easy to relate to and likable. The fact that the story is not completely new is not disturbing. Very much worth watching.