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REVIEW: Murder Princess DVD


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Yuki_Kun45
Exempt from Grammar Rules


Joined: 26 May 2008
Posts: 725
Location: U.S.A.
PostPosted: Wed Jun 17, 2009 11:21 pm Reply with quote
Quote:
Bee Train's atypically plain character designs.


Do you have the right Studio? Compared to everyone else Bee Train is the one studio that puts more flair into the primary character designs compared to other studios. And more flair into their animation style.

I can't say this review speaks the truth too much of Murder Princess, yeah if you are looking for the moving art film of the year, this isn't it, it's a popcorn flick with out a doubt, but it's a lot of fun. It's no more different than some of the other popular tripe that other studios have forever used as a crutch and those that have a cult following. Murder Princess isn't amazingly thought provoking, and that's just fine, it's fun with a fun cast of characters, deserving of at least a B- in my opinion.
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norman728



Joined: 03 Jul 2004
Posts: 17
PostPosted: Wed Jun 17, 2009 11:57 pm Reply with quote
I bought this after reading the manga and watching alternate anime streams. While Murder Princess certainly not a masterpiece, it can be a enjoyable watch. The story itself isn't much but I have watched more popular anime with less enjoyable plots. My one complaint is the departure from the manga(which is only 2 books long) gives Faiis a more fleshed out backstory(not much but gives her a little more character) The plot which deviates especially the ending and character origins are more shaded. But you can see Bee Train's touches I enjoy Murder princes and thanks to alternate anime streams have it ready to watch on the go. The english dub is adequate for what it is.
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vashfanatic



Joined: 16 Jun 2005
Posts: 3489
Location: Back stateside
PostPosted: Thu Jun 18, 2009 12:20 am Reply with quote
So in other words, it's "Rental Shelf", if we go by Shelf Life's definitions?
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Uthred



Joined: 21 Dec 2006
Posts: 79
PostPosted: Thu Jun 18, 2009 8:13 am Reply with quote
So basically its an action film then ? So [expletive] what ? Oh noes it doesnt have a dutifully angsty message about the human condition but is just entertaining whatever will we do?
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Omega13



Joined: 27 Aug 2004
Posts: 78
PostPosted: Thu Jun 18, 2009 8:19 am Reply with quote
Yuki_Kun45 wrote:
Quote:
Bee Train's atypically plain character designs.


Do you have the right Studio? Compared to everyone else Bee Train is the one studio that puts more flair into the primary character designs compared to other studios. And more flair into their animation style.


That's what 'atypical' means - 'different from the norm'.
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Dorcas_Aurelia



Joined: 23 Jul 2006
Posts: 5344
Location: Philly
PostPosted: Thu Jun 18, 2009 9:35 am Reply with quote
Omega13 wrote:
Yuki_Kun45 wrote:
Quote:
Bee Train's atypically plain character designs.


Do you have the right Studio? Compared to everyone else Bee Train is the one studio that puts more flair into the primary character designs compared to other studios. And more flair into their animation style.


That's what 'atypical' means - 'different from the norm'.

Atypically PLAIN. That is, unusually common.

Overall, I agree. MP is a fun, violent romp, but little else and of no lasting value.
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SongstressCela



Joined: 26 Sep 2008
Posts: 615
Location: Pennsylvania
PostPosted: Thu Jun 18, 2009 11:23 am Reply with quote
Uthred wrote:
So basically its an action film then ? So [expletive] what ? Oh noes it doesnt have a dutifully angsty message about the human condition but is just entertaining whatever will we do?


Hahaha. I applaud you, good sir. That is exactly what I was going to say, only slightly less grammatically correct.

Either way, I am so, so sick of so-called critics acting like something is a huge irreparable waste of time because it isn't some huge social commentary or thought provoking deconstruction of genre norms.

Oh. God. No. It's a mindless, darn enjoyable action flick. Big freaking deal. Perish the thought someone watches a show for entertainment value rather than trying to figure out the next thesis for their dissertation.

See, the problem is not the fact he disliked the show, not at all. Heck, my boyfriend isn't a fan of the show either. The problem is that the reasons for disliking the show seem solely based on the fact that it isn't the War and Peace of action series.

Glad to see this topic sticking up for the show though, so far. Then again, it is a Kimlinger review so that seems to be expected. I could go on, but...eh. "So it goes", in the immortal words of Vonnegut.
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the Rancorous



Joined: 08 Feb 2006
Posts: 2248
Location: Hunting the Dragon in Gransys
PostPosted: Thu Jun 18, 2009 12:46 pm Reply with quote
vashfanatic wrote:
So in other words, it's "Rental Shelf", if we go by Shelf Life's definitions?

actually, Bamboo gave this one "Perishable" Razz

Quote:
the decision to have lead actresses Monica Rial (Alita) and Colleen Clinkenbeard (Faris) remain with their characters' bodies, voicing the different personalities that inhabit them. .... In the episode six audio commentary (the series' one extra) Glass states that it made more sense to her that way, and while it may seem confusing on paper, it really isn't.

Yeah, it actually does make more sense when you look at it with logic. I mean, if its the same bodies then why would the voices change? The vocal chords are still going to be the same as they were, its just a different mind is using them.

I haven't seen this yet, planning on it. All I'm hoping for is that it is Princess Resurrection promised to be but wasn't; a violent, fun to laugh at farce.
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vashfanatic



Joined: 16 Jun 2005
Posts: 3489
Location: Back stateside
PostPosted: Thu Jun 18, 2009 12:55 pm Reply with quote
I read this review, and I think Mr. Kliminger's getting burned out and bored. He needs the opportunity to review something that really gets his juices going. Too many "mindless fun" shows one after another can make you long for something more substantive.
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Gewürtztraminer



Joined: 14 Nov 2007
Posts: 1028
Location: Texas - Its like whole other country.
PostPosted: Thu Jun 18, 2009 6:38 pm Reply with quote
Murder Princess Review wrote:

Murder Princess is far from bad.
...
Enjoyable enough, yes? Certainly;
...
Despite their basic lack of inspiration, the series' many fights do stick out a bit from their blandly amusing surroundings.
...
Among the other things that are, aurally speaking, good stuff, is Funimation's dub. The acting is fine, the dialogue pretty peppy, and the dub overall plenty of fun.
...
So what's so bad about heaping helpings of disposable fluff? Well, nothing, so long as you can shut down all but say four or five of your neurons—a process that Murder Princess heartily encourages.
...
Overall (dub) : C+


I thought it was a fairly positive review with an average number of backhanded compliments. C+ is above average right?

I blind bought this at the usual place during a Funimation sale. Then the Shelf Life column came out listing it as perishable. I was a little disappointed, but I was not out a lot of money. When it arrived and I watched it, I thought I got more than my money's worth and would encourage anyone who thinks this looks interesting to give it a shot.

But I agree with the review, this is fun, but there is nothing stupendous or mind blowing here. That includes story, visuals, dubs, subs, etc.
I might have been generous and gave it a B-, but I do not think I could justify it in the end.

What in this series could possibly push the overall grade higher?[/quote]
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SongstressCela



Joined: 26 Sep 2008
Posts: 615
Location: Pennsylvania
PostPosted: Thu Jun 18, 2009 7:36 pm Reply with quote
I think the style could push the grade higher. Mindless it may be, but it's also very slick. The unique monster designs are very eye catching, and it's hard to deny Faris is a typical mercenary.

The opening theme is outstanding as well, and altogether it's just a very well put together series. Much more eye-catching than most of Bee Train's stuff, contrary to what Kimlinger seems to think.
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Big Hed



Joined: 04 May 2006
Posts: 1607
Location: Melbourne, Australia
PostPosted: Fri Jun 19, 2009 2:56 am Reply with quote
@Uthred, SongstressCela

Consider: different people can have fundamentally different criteria for evaluating anime. Therefore, mindless fun = good for some, not so good for others.

I can go either way, though a positive evaluation is largely dependent on slick visuals. I saw the trailer for this a while back, and neither they nor the representation of the story therein impressed me, so I had already written off Murder Princess. The review -- both here and from Bamboo -- has reaffirmed this decision.

As for which voice inhabits which body when, the argument is pointless to have since it's all magical anyway. Both dub approaches make sense. I'd offer a third: verbal dialogue is spoken in the body's voice, whereas internal dialogue is spoken in the voice of the person inhabiting the body.
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prime_pm



Joined: 06 Feb 2004
Posts: 2332
Location: Your Mother's Bedroom
PostPosted: Fri Jun 19, 2009 7:21 am Reply with quote
Good review, and I still like the series.

Anyone else tired of their page suddenly streaming to another site without your permission? I am!
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JackCox



Joined: 22 Jun 2006
Posts: 386
PostPosted: Sat Jun 20, 2009 1:23 am Reply with quote
the Rancorous wrote:
vashfanatic wrote:
So in other words, it's "Rental Shelf", if we go by Shelf Life's definitions?

actually, Bamboo gave this one "Perishable" Razz

Quote:
the decision to have lead actresses Monica Rial (Alita) and Colleen Clinkenbeard (Faris) remain with their characters' bodies, voicing the different personalities that inhabit them. .... In the episode six audio commentary (the series' one extra) Glass states that it made more sense to her that way, and while it may seem confusing on paper, it really isn't.

Yeah, it actually does make more sense when you look at it with logic. I mean, if its the same bodies then why would the voices change? The vocal chords are still going to be the same as they were, its just a different mind is using them.

I haven't seen this yet, planning on it. All I'm hoping for is that it is Princess Resurrection promised to be but wasn't; a violent, fun to laugh at farce.


Well then Murder Princess is definitely up your alley. The Show is exactly like that. It's not a spectacular show but Damn is it a fun time.
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Tuor_of_Gondolin



Joined: 20 Apr 2009
Posts: 3524
Location: Bellevue, WA
PostPosted: Mon Jul 20, 2009 5:04 am Reply with quote
Having just watched it, I'd say Murder Princess is of "Rental Shelf" quality. I enjoyed it, but not enough to buy it.

Yeah, the plot elements have all been done before. But it was still reasonably fun, and sometimes a little sad, too: this isn't a series that's afraid to kill characters off.

I'm glad I watched it.
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