Take a closer look at the selection of UMD movies available at your local stockist, or on the web for that matter, and you may be pleasantly surprised to find support coming from some unlikely sources. Universal Media Disc, the format designed for the Sony Playstation Portable – still has it’s work cut out for it, competing as it does, with a medium several times the capacity – and all that implies – in the humble DVD.
So, whilst we have a range of effects laden, money making, family friendly blockbusters as you would no doubt expect from the likes of Sony, Fox and Universal; what is very encouraging is to see some of the more recently established, yet less mainstream distributors such as Tartan Video embrace the UMD format as well.
Here, released simultaneously on UMD and DVD in the UK, is Moon-saeng Kim’s animated film
‘Sky Blue’ , or for those in the US,
‘Wonderful Days’ . It could be argued that this Korean production is pitched at an audience who are perhaps more accustomed to major releases of this genre from Japan;
‘Advent Children’ ,
‘Ghost In The Shell: Innocence’ ,
‘Appleseed (2005)' and the likes. Employing as it does, a seamless blend of cutting edge CG, traditional cell animation and miniature work, how does this film stand alongside these contemporary, perhaps more well known offerings ?
A look at the UMD case and the cover art and style at once grab your attention; a shadowy, tormented, dishevelled, gun-wielding teenager – caught in a ray of sunlight – set inside a vast other-worldy corridor which snakes backwards into a unsettled sky. Running from danger – or running into it?
The year is 2142. Through rain clouds echoing with thunder and distant flashes of lightning, a lone motorcycle rider crosses a barren wasteland. A voice tells us we are looking at an Earth of the future; and whether by war or by waste, an Earth now devoid of much of its people. This is a world ravaged by freakish climate and poisoned with toxic rain.
Those that have survived have built a last refuge for themselves, a huge bio-city called ‘Ecoban’ - protection from the elements that wreck the surface of this planet. But, whilst the founders of Ecoban have set themselves as the ruling elite of society, a restless under-class exists – ‘Diggers’ - who dwell in the city below, mining carbon to fuel the city which pollutes the skies further.
However, the increasingly rebellious Diggers have a leader in their midst – Dr. Noah – who harbours a radical plan to rid them of this city and bask the world in the sunshine of a time long forgotten. So begins a simple tale of struggle, questioned loyalty, lost love and hope for a better tomorrow but, acted out in a world the likes of which you (or your PSP) will have never seen. Until now.
For those who question the abilities of the PSP as a movie playback device the sights and sounds contained in this feature are truly a joy to behold. That the locations and environments are created and realised with such dazzling attention to detail is testament to the film makers and the seven years this film was in production. From the faded browns of the bleak landscape to the ominous grey storm filled skies – colour and definition remains sharp throughout. That the diminutive screen of the playstation is able to display them with this degree of clarity and precision takes watching film on your PSP onto another level.
The opening ripples of thunder and screaming motorbike engine, resound across the built in console speakers with great effect. Sound placement and stereo separation is well executed and makes for a satisfying listening experience – accentuated further by use of quality headphones or powerful external speakers. The music on offer adds an appreciable – somewhat hypnotic - texture to proceedings, whether in the haunting piano and vocal arrangement which greets our arrival in this world – or in pounding percussion to an Akira-esque bike ride across futuristic looking terrain.
For all the positives on offer here, where the film falters slightly is in story development and exposition. Elements of the story leave the viewer asking more questions than there are answers. Situations and characters are occasionally introduced with little logic behind them – giving a feeling that the arrival of an element is not for the advancement of the story – more as a hook on which to hang some sumptuous visuals.
The UMD transfer is first rate and is complemented by animated menus and a title based chapter selection. The only bonus feature on offer comes by way of a trailer for the release
‘R-Point’ .
In any case, this is a richly detailed piece of science fiction which exemplifies the trend of ground breaking cinema we have seen from Korean film-makers in recent years. Director Moon-saeng Kim is clearly one to watch.
'Sky Blue (UMD)' is available to pre-order via
AmazonUK , as of yet there has been no US release date given.
You can read more about the UMD in our
database .
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