Based on the popular animated TV series, “Cowboy Bebop: The Movie” is a stylish and fast-paced crime thriller filled with adventure, intriguing characters and fabulous music.
Directed by Shinichiro Watanabe in gritty, film-noir style, “Cowboy Bebop” follows the adventures of Spike Spiegel, a lackadaisical Bruce Lee type bounty hunter living on a futuristic and multi-ethnic Mars, and his band of bounty hunting comrades as they pursue a terrorist intent on unleashing a deadly virus that would destroy the planet. Living on the spaceship Bebop, Spike’s crew is an interesting cast of characters: renaissance-man Jet Black is a hardworking and gruff ex-cop; headstrong and sexy Faye Valentine is addicted to gambling and a fighter pilot extraordinaire; free-spirited and eccentric Edward (a girl) is a genius computer hacker with boundless energy; and “data dog” Ein, an exceptionally intelligent Welsh Corgi adept at playing chess amongst other super-dog talents.
“Cowboy Bebop” is a fun ride and the best parts are the amazing fight sequences, on par with any good live-action film. From the opening fight in a grocery store to the showdown on the bridge with the villain, the pacing is suspenseful and the choreography is creative. The scene where Spike, disguised as an office cleaning man, first confronts Electra, a special detective also on the trail of the terrorist, using buckets, mops and brooms is especially impressive.
The production design is also noteworthy as it beautifully captures the look and feel of a multicultural world. The design of the Arab sector is particularly intriguing. Finally, kudos must go to the eclectic music, created by Yoko Kanno, which blends a variety of jazz, classical, blues and rock tunes that underscore the multicultural setting.
