Legend of the Millennium Dragon (2011)

This movie was another example of excellent story telling. It reveals the struggles of two opposing groups, each vying for the power of a "Savior", the main boy character. But he comes to understand that war is not one-sided, but often disguised by deception and fears. It was especially satisfying watching the child change from a fearful, fragile person, to a strong and powerful young man, though not necessarily in a way one would totally expect.The one drawback I experienced was that with so many characters put into the story, it was hard to tell them apart, and who signified what. Of course, there is a lot of back story that is not presented and, without some research would be difficult to understand. However, I cam e away from it with a renewed appreciation for this type of story telling.

Even if a anime misses the mark story wise, they usually can make up for it by painting up a beautiful world. This film however does not. The character designs are cheap and crude and while the backgrounds are usually pretty good, they're also at time very simplistic. For example, when the protagonist goes back in time to the city in the beginning and the city is attacked by demons, keep an eye on the background stick figures in one of the scenes where people are panicking. Look at the guy who falls into the river. Sheesh.This anime is for kids who are used to cheap, mass produced Saturday cartoons. If you value quality then look elsewhere.

What can I say about this film? It could have been brilliant, the story line is OK, the setting imagery is very nice, and a lot of detail has been put into it. However, the human characters have a annoying 'Dora The Explorer' nature to them, both crudely drawn in comparison to the settings, and unbelievable in ratio the story line. It turn's a possible classic into a cartoon movie for the under 12's. Personally, I don't understand why use inferior character depiction when they clearly went to so much effort in the setting and story.Its the eyes...Don't bother with the English dub; it will only make you more angry.

Jun is an ordinary middle-school boy, except for his unusual birthmark which takes the form of a dragon on his chest. Because of that birthmark, he is abruptly whisked back in time, to the medieval Heian era. That era is remembered for being a peaceful time, but in fact humans, led by sorcerer Gen'un and warrior Raiko, are battling demons called the Oni, and Jun has been summoned back to awaken and control the legendary dragon, Orochi, in the fight. But the humans and the Oni are not quite what they seem, and both sides are desperate to enlist Jun, and Orochi, to their cause in this long-running conflict. Jun, however, is uncertain where the truth lies amid all the contradictory information he receives from each side, and he thinks maybe the best thing to do is simply to stop the fighting....This anime film reminded me a good bit of YA fantasy novels, or perhaps novels for a slightly younger (say, 9-12) set, in that Jun is a typical Everyboy who must fight his insecurities and doubts to become the hero (indeed, Gen'un constantly calls him "Saviour") he is meant to be in a fantasy realm before he can return to his own time, having grown stronger and wiser in the process. Each frame of this film is hand-drawn, and some of the imagery is quite beautiful, while the supernatural battle scenes are quite epic in scope. Not a film to think about very hard after viewing, but an eye-pleasing spectacle to watch.