Cinema review
Directed by Keiichi Sugiyama
Starring the voices of Ryo Katsuji, Aoi Miyazakim, Kenichi Endo
Release date 11 July 2008 (UK)

300 years in the future, mankind’s experiments have led to the destruction of civilisation and the existence of a dangerous, sentient forest. Society is split between those who wish to co-exist with the forest and those who wish to declare war on it. Into this, Agito, the playful son of a warrior, and Toola, a young girl from the past on an important mission, change the course of the future…

The prospect of an animated fantasy with an eco message inspires rather horrible flashbacks to Ferngully: The Last Rainforest and Once Upon a Forest. Origin, the first feature from Studio Gonzo, is a far less simplistic film than those early 90s kiddie flicks – in fact, it’s frequently impossible to follow. Not that that’s necessarily a problem with Japanese anime – after all, large chunks of the brilliant Akira were unfathomable. But Origin is never quite absorbing enough to make it worth the effort, and lacks the charming characters of a Studio Ghibli film (an obvious influence here).

Nevertheless, the movie is undeniably stunning to look at, with its startling post-apocalyptic world of imposing forests and destroyed cities brought to life by a flawless combination of traditional cell animation and CG. Matt McAllister

VERDICT: 6/10
Origin is well intentioned and visually dazzling, but suffers from a confusing and ever-so-slightly dull storyline.

Click here to view the trailer!