An amalgamation of Fritz Lang's seminal science fiction classic and the later manga of the same name by Osamu Tezuka, Rintaro's anime update takes its inspired source material and transforms it into a visually gorgeous epic. As with Blade Runner and the more recent Ex Machina, Metropolis explores the nature of memory and identity through the eyes of a self-aware robot. While the story might not break any new ground, it's told with a grandiose sweep and in such style as to overcome any narrative shortcomings (the explosive ending set to I Can't Stop Loving You by Ray Charles is inspired filmmaking) Perhaps most impressive is the way in which director (and Madhouse Studios co-founder) Rintaro conceives the metropolis itself - this is an incredibly detailed, living and breathing city with as much character as the humans - and robots - which live within.
