If it is one thing about Netflix I’ve learned is their preview game is fantastic, which means the actual series or movie is often a huge disappointment. Not always, but often.
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I am hoping this isn’t the case with the opening credits for Cowboy Bebop, starring John Cho as Spike Spiegel, with Mustafa Shakir and Daniella Pineda as Jet Black and Faye Valentine respectively.
As a mega-fan of the original anime series, here is my quick take, base on the credits alone.
Keeping Yoko Kanno’s music wasn’t just the best decision, it was the only one. Her music sets the tone. With The Seatbelts wailing “Tank!” you might as well pack it in.
The animation mixed with the live action with the bright primary colors and the James Bond action silhouettes looks good. I appreciate that artistic touch, and it looks like they are trying to keep the spirit of the original alive. They even kept the font consistent.
I know the whole costume controversy with Faye. She seems the only one that was really changed. Spike and Jet look good, as well as another character I’ll mention later.
The problem with live action is it just isn’t as sleek as a well-drawn anime. Live action characters seem to be slogging along a little compared to the original. I’m nitpicking, I know, but I couldn’t help but see that.
Are we going to meet Edward at some point? Ed may be a bit high-energy, but she was a big part of the original crew. I guess we will have to wait to see.
We get a hint of the Swordfish, but I want to see a good image of it.
I was worried there would be no Ein for a bit. As much as John Cho looks great in the lead, there’s your best casting, right there. Good doggo.
From the looks and angles of the various secondary characters, it looks like they might be following the original story. I hope. Don’t go off and interject something new. I have no problem with a full, live action version of the series. It would be so much better than a show “based on the characters created by Shinichiro Watanabe.” That is sometimes code for “we’re changing everything you love.”
The one scene I gotta give praise to is the spot on Spike and Vicious’s standoff in front of that massive stained glass rose window. Anyone who has watched the anime knows what a standout that was, and the tribute to this epic fight scene gives me a little hope.
Shucks, Howdy, all let’s hope this is a good one, but I’m issuing a “mandate” since those are so popular:
Please, please watch the original animated series wherever you can find it (as well as the animated movie after episode 22) before hitting this one.
No matter how this one turns out, you need some of the original “space cowboys” in your life.
Cowboy Bebop premieres on Netflix Nov. 19.