Martian Successor Nadesico The Motion Picture: Prince of Darkness

Amazon.com Although it was initially criticized for spoofing mecha sci-fi adventures and fan culture, Martian Successor Nadesico (1996) became an international hit. Unfortunately, the theatrical film offers little of the original's irreverent humor. Two years after the broadcast series, Yurika and Akito are missing and presumed dead; Ruri now commands the Nadesico B. Ruri was always the beleaguered voice of common sense, noting, "I guess we?ll be fumbling about, making noise ?til the end. However, when you think about it, that?s rather appropriate for us." The new Ruri asks dumb questions: "Are you a good guy or a bad guy?" Fry cook turned mecha pilot Akito appears as a masked, Keanu Reeves-esque figure. ("That was then. This is now.") Fragmented and difficult to follow, Prince of Darkness is a dreary coda to a wonderfully funny series. Where's Gekiganger 3 when we need him? (Rated 15 and older: profanity, brief nudity) --Charles Solomon