Malice@Doll
2001 - Japan - 78 mins
Japanese language dialogue with English subtitles
Rated R (Restricted) - MATURE SITUATIONS
© 2004, ArtsMagic
Director
Motonaga Keitarou
Writer
Konaka Chiaki
Synopsis
Prostitute robot dolls roam empty streets, in their daily search for clients.
But those whom they were built to service have ceased to exist: humanity has
wiped itself out. In a world of action without purpose, cleaners, guards and
whores all respond to their programmed tasks until they in turn become defunct.
Malice@Doll is one such prostitute, now in need of repair. In her search for
renewal, she becomes aware that her world is being modified, leaving her increasingly
open to attack by her former robotic guardians, and in a state of increasing
isolation and alienation.
Attacked by a strange biological creature, she is mysteriously transformed into
a human being. Overcome with joy and wonder, Malice seeks to transfer this gift
through a loving kiss. But, with every gift there comes a curse...
Review
Malice@Doll is not a film that would make most people stand up and take
notice, because most people are either uncomfortable or too comfortable
with even a skirting pass at sexual situations in animation. Here, however, is
a film that is much more than initially meets the eye.
For the anime-knowledgeable audience with a keen eye and a keener memory, the first hint is the
author and scriptwriter of the film. Discounting his huge body of Digimon stories,
Konaka Chiaki also wrote all of the following: serial experiments lain (1998),
The Big O (1999), Hellsing (2002), RahXephon (2002), Texhnolyze
(2003), and the new Astro Boy (2003). The atmosphere of mystery and the well-crafted
flow of those works are also plentifully present in Malice@Doll, with one artistic
difference: Malice@Doll is wholly done in 3D CG models, albeit at a technological level
more akin to Reboot than its contemporary, Final Fantasy: the Spirits Within (2001).
The world of the robots is perhaps no different than ours, except exaggerated into sharp relief:
hopeless, directionless, dark - and in it is a Pinocchio who discovers that the gift of
humanity has a terrible price of its own. While imperfect and dense in spots, this film
deserves a review.
World Sales Agent
ArtsMagic Ltd.