Annecy 2020 Preview - Tooned Up #6
Cameron, Mike, Jacob, and Keona discuss the projects featured in the annual Annecy Film Festival, running from June 15-30! This year, due to complications from the global pandemic, the event is scheduled to take place online, so join us as we talk about our impressions of the Festival’s lineup, as well as the latest news from the animation world, including the launch of HBO Max and the upcoming release of GKids and Shout Factory’s Promare Collector’s Edition!
Speaking of Studio Trigger’s latest, Promare has become one of my favorite films of the year so far. I wasn’t able to attend a theatrical screening last year, so I’m counting it as a 2020 film. God, remember theaters? And actual screenings with people? What the hell has happened in less than a year’s time?
But I digress. Trigger’s style and energy is on full display in Promare, with astonishing colors blanketing the screen and an impressive blend of 3D CGI and 2D animation anchoring the film’s aesthetic. The soundtrack is incredible, as well. I’m so happy to see that Japan isn’t all about bubblegum pop or overly produced, homogenized beats. There’s a variety of tracks here, some orchestral (and perfect, might I add) along with more radio-friendly tunes, and I enjoyed it immensely, even when listening to the songs on their own.
While the animation and music are the standouts here, I also adore the character designs in the film. Galo, Lio, the entirety of Burning Rescue, and Kray are all incredibly well-designed characters that I could see headlining an Arc System Works fighting game. Hell, I’d watch a show about the Burning Rescue team saving random people every week.
I even love how it embraces its shonen anime sensibilities and is so self-aware of its own awkward goofiness. Galo Thymos is an incredibly over-the-top protagonist, but Lio Fotia and the Burning Rescue team are very aware of that, and provide a good counterbalance to Galo’s blustering proclamations. Any film that has its hero cry out “HYPER FIRE SAFETY PUNCH!” is going to earn its way into my cheese-loving heart. Kudos to the voice cast, too, both on the Japanese and English sides, for giving it their all in bringing the characters to life.
Promare is visually stunning, hilarious, and absolutely worth the watch. Check it out, and consider picking up that upcoming Collector’s Edition from Shout Factory! Looks like it’ll be worth the price!
Well, that’s all we have for this installment, Renegades! Keep an eye out for more Tooned Up in the near future, and be ready for the next RPC podcast! Coming up: our take on the DCEU! Be there! And stay safe!
Before we conclude, a quick note about the current state of the world. We know that we live in absurd times. The global pandemic continues to rage on, our citizens live in a state of fear and paranoia, racism still permeates through our system of governance and law enforcement. People should never have to live in fear of those who should be our protectors. We support those who have suffered injustice and unlawful persecution in our society, whether it be in the past or today. Injustice is unacceptable to us. We stand with those who fight to bring about change. Thank you.