In the vein of “The Matrix”, “Avalon” explores the world of virtual reality and computer gaming. As directed by Mamoru Oshii, “Avalon” offers an artistic and meditative take on the subject, showing us how addictive the computer game becomes that it distorts our vision of what’s real and what’s imaginary.
Set in a drab world seemingly devoid of human connection, “Avalon” focuses on the story of Ash, a young and introspective woman who is one of the top players in a virtual reality war game that is played for points and money. It’s a game with risks as players’ spirits can become trapped in the game while their bodies remain comatose in the real world. We follow Ash, who seems to blossom only when she’s playing the warrior, in her grail-like quest to win each battle and progress to the next level.
Although the narrative is a bit muddled and the characters don’t really spark much emotional connection, “Avalon” is worth a viewing for its impressive visual effects, dark surreal imagery and production design. Even though it’s a live-action film, the look and feel is very close to anime. The war game sequences are visually impressive even if the action itself isn’t so riveting. The use of a sepia tone color palette is effective in blurring the distinction between the real world and the imaginary game world.
Overall, “Avalon” may not be a good fit for those seeking intense action but it offers some philosophical food for thought about a person’s internal quest for meaning and identity that is constantly changing.
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