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Following up on the successful
Cowboy Bebop TV series, this
movie features the same cast of characters -- Spike Spiegel, Jet Black,
Faye Valentine, Edward, and Ein. While chasing a minor bounty named Lee
Sampson, Faye comes across a tanker truck explosion while a man clad in
black escapes into thin air. It turns out that a mysterious deadly
virus was released within the explosion, affecting everyone within a
three kilometer radius. The bounty on the culprit is set at 300,000,000
woolongs, which immediately puts the Bebop crew on the case. But the
criminal succeeds in pulling off one act of terrorism after another,
and no one seems to be able to put an end to the carnage... Cowboy Bebop: Knocking on Heaven's Door starts like the drop of a rollercoaster ride, which means you will be glued to your seat breathless in anticipation all the way through the end. Like the series, this film's strength lies in its characterization; each of the Bebop crew take part in this new adventure, and in the process certain events are connected to their past(s) -- which further reveal the essence of their characters. Knockin' on Heaven's Door takes a more in-depth look at the two newcomers -- the female fatale Electra and the cold-blooded villain Vincent. The story pacing and effects are superbly done. Things progress smoothly. Each event is very creatively transitioned, building up to the climatic conclusion. The animation is also top-notch like in the regular series. With a two-hour time frame to work with, Knockin' on Heaven's Door offers a delightful blend of action, romance, comedy, drama, and good music. While the film is set in the timeline between episodes 22 ("Cowboy Funk") and 23 ("Brain Scratch"), it can stand alone like an independent feature. I would recommend that you view at least a bit of the series in order to get a feel for the characters though, because they shine in this film. If you have had experience with the Cowboy Bebop series, then "Knocking On Heaven's Door" will bring more of what you love about Bebop. |
