Galerians: Rion (2004) (V)

User Rating:

6.5/10   

Director:

Masahiko Maesawa

Writer:

Chinfa Kang (writer)

Release Date:

6 April 2004 (Japan)

Genre:

Action | Horror | Sci-Fi

Tagline:

man. machine. menace

Plot:

A boy awakes, imprisoned in a hospital without a name or memory. He is immediately attacked and discovers...

Plot Keywords:

Character Name In Title

Cast

Steve Areno	...	Drug Dealer (voice: English version)
Laura Coyle	...	Dorothy (voice: English version)
Yuka Imai	...	Rita (voice)
Akira Ishida	...	Rion / Cain (voice)
Shiho Kikuchi	...	Lilia (voice)
Takehito Koyasu	...	Birdman (voice)
Dave Mallow	...	Rainheart, Dr. Pascalle (voice: English version)
Michael McConnohie	...	Dr. Rem, Dr. Steiner (voice: English version)
Lia Sargent	...	Rita (voice: English version)
Michael Sorich	...	Drug Dealer, Guard A, Guy In Lobby, Maniac Terrorist, Priest, Researcher A (voice: English version)
Kenichi Suzumura	...	Rainheart (voice)
Jim Taggert	...	Birdman (voice: English version)
Kari Wahlgren	...	Lilia, Elsa Steiner (voice: English version) (as Jennifer Jean)
Dave Wittenberg	...	Rion Steiner (voice: English version)

Directed by
Masahiko Maesawa

Writing credits (in alphabetical order)
Chinfa Kang		writer

Produced by
Chinfa Kang	....	co-producer
Sho Tajima	....	co-producer

Original Music by
Masahiko Hagio

Music Department
Jason Miller	....	composer: song "The Hate in Me"

Other crew
David Criden	....	adr director (English version)

Production Companies

• Enterbrain Inc. (in co-production with)
• Polygon Magic (co-production)

Distributors

• Image Entertainment (2004) (USA) (video)

Runtime:

USA:73 min

Country:

Japan

Language:

English | English | Japanese

Color:

Color

Certification:

UK:12

Company:

Enterbrain Inc.

Beats Playin' the Game

I was happy to see this film released for one practical reason.

I bought the Playstation version long ago on a whim, thinking that it looked like an interesting diversion, and that non-mainstream, different games usually appeal to me. I found the story quite gripping, but hated the mechanics of the game. The control system was somewhat inefficient and its default commands made fighting bosses a nightmare. Even the FAQ writers couldn't help, citing the same problems. It upset me, because, how would I find out what happens next? Then, it finally came along. This story of young psychic Rion Steiner, with drug-induced powers and hair-trigger temper, was quite intriguing--and I wanted to follow along in his quest to find innocent fellow psychic Lilia Steiner, and ultimately, himself. All the while, unwittingly mowing down his peers, and their minions. This makes not only for a fine suspense yarn, but a nice allegory on teen angst and rebellion against unjust authority.

Make no mistake, it's not tremendous. Thankfully, the crammed, commercial soundtrack or periodically stilted dubbing on the U.S. version does not get in the way of a story that David Cronenberg would be proud of. If nothing else, it will encourage you to hunt down the worthwhile "sequel", Galerians: Ash for the Playstation 2.

Galerians: Rion. Rent it, see it, and give your poor fingers a rest.