Nice Pretender Razbliuto Anime Film Evaluation
The animation for The Great Pretender was…alright. Upon seeing the original anime on Netflix in 2020, I found it to be an enjoyable and noteworthy program with a charming ensemble of characters, a unique aesthetic, and a stunning music. A series of well written and compelling dialogue heists reminiscent of Robin Hood would always be entertaining, but there was a chance that the series might become too extravagant. I believe that the show suffered a little bit in its last arc, reaching a point when the absurdity of the situation almost broke the bonds holding my disbelief in place. I mention this because the movie has many of the same flaws as the series’ final arc, so how you feel about it will mainly determine how much you love this one.
This Razbliuto storyline is ridiculous. I’ll give a program or movie one opportunity to wink at the camera and brag about how easy or well thought out everything is, but if that occurs three or four times in an hour and a half, I’m going to be quite grumpy and will leave the theater. The astounding amount of plot devices and fortuitous meetings in this movie really kills whatever suspense it may have had before we’ve even reached the halfway mark. The big revelation at the conclusion, when everything comes together, or the surprising turn that reveals how our heroes escape a precarious position, is a staple of many heist films. But even if you take that cliché into account, it seems less remarkable and more ludicrous when you look back and see how much room for mistake there was. Razbliuto has the same issue as the series’ climactic arc: a complex overarching plot with an excessive number of interrelated, annoying variables.
Does this mean Razbliuto is a subpar film? When you take the genre into account, the answer is yes. The planning becomes even more obvious since there are so many allusions and easter eggs to previous action and heist films. But something may still be enjoyable even if it’s terrible. There were times when I laughed so hard at the speech and the interactions that I had to palm my face or scratch my head. It’s encouraging to know that, despite the success or failure of the actual heists, the character writing in the series continues to be a strong point. This is especially noteworthy given that the majority of the actors in this movie is new.
In addition to the newcomers Jay and Yang, whose fraternal bond formed the core of the film, we also had Dorothy from the original series. Their mutual hatred and deep comprehension of one other’s mental health issues create a special interaction. The movie included a passage on how long-term relationships may sometimes cause things to alter. I like how their relationship is symbolic of wandering about with a real amnesiac who is unable to recall her relationships with other people.
The character acts are usually plausible, the language is sharp, and I enjoy how everyone turns out in the end. All I enjoy is not how we get there. We could have produced a fantastic film that would have fit in nicely with some of the finest storylines from the original series if it had had a much stronger narrative. Perhaps things would have been better if the movie had been presented and organized more like a full-length movie rather than just a few disconnected segments. It didn’t feel like I was watching a movie, and that was the second thing that disturbed me. Every twenty minutes, little title cards appear, seemingly indicating that the show is divided into many acts. They still seem like the opening credits for a different episode that starts automatically after the previous one ends.
This also has to do with the film’s graphics, which don’t seem all that superior than some of the series’ better-looking episodes. It also helps because Great Pretender was a very beautiful show with a unique aesthetic. The figures have exquisitely detailed piercings and painted nails, among other little details, that contribute to their continued popularity. One of the most distinctive and beautifully rendered Black ladies I have ever seen in anime is definitely Dorothy. In addition to being gorgeous and vibrant, the backdrops provide a variety of tones that serve to maintain the senses’ stimulation.
I wish there had been more soundtrack to hear. The music for Great Pretender has always been quite diverse, drawing from a wide range of influences and sources to represent the numerous nations and ethnicities that are included in the program. Even if Razbliuto isn’t exactly an avid traveler, the diversity of music still works rather well with the situations. The insert tracks were excellent as well, even though we hardly had a chance to hear them due to how sparingly spaced out and brief they are throughout the movie.
I wanted to enjoy this “movie” more, in case you couldn’t tell from my dejected tone throughout this review. It’s entertaining, has some excellent character interactions, and raises questions about what may happen in the future if there is a second chapter planned. But I think this movie also highlights some of the most significant problems the series has; they’re simply more obviously seen since the movie attempts to pass for something it’s not while still having these problems. I don’t think you’re missing much by missing this one if you loved Great Pretender when it ended, but if you were someone who was already checking out by the time the series wrapped up (or maybe you don’t even really remember much of the series), then I think there might be just enough here for you to find enjoyment.
