Today’s quick review: Redline. Through a lucky break, JP (Patrick Seitz) gets the chance to compete in Redline, the galaxy’s premier race. With the best of the best competing, JP sets out to prove his skill, impress fellow racer Sonoshee McLaren (Michelle Ruff), and make some money on the side with his best friend Frisbee (Liam O’Brien). The only catch is the race’s location: Roboworld, a hostile planet that plans to shut down the race by force.
Redline is a Japanese animated sci-fi action movie about the galaxy’s biggest race. Set in a colorful universe of aliens and machines, Redline follows JP, a talented driver with a checkered past, as he prepares for the race of his life. The movie features an exaggerated art style, striking designs, intense race scenes, a pulse-pounding soundtrack, and a likable hero. Redline’s energy and style make it a great pick for fans of action-oriented anime.
Redline is an experience. The world it takes place in is packed with bizarre aliens, heavy machinery, and cultural quirks. Everything is drawn in a colorful, detailed art style that exaggerates the weirdness of the designs while paving the way for the film’s imaginative, no-holds-barred races. The animtion does an excellent job of conveying the sheer speed of the races, while the thumping soundtrack brings them to life.
Beyond its visuals, Redline is a straightforward but satisfying racing story. JP makes for a likable lead, a talented racer with a laidback attitude and a genuine love for the sport. His budding relationship with Sonoshee gives the film a sweet center, while the combination of a high-stakes race, attacks from Roboworld, and Frisbee’s double dealing inject just enough tension. What results is a short but dense story with everything it needs.
The one major drawback of Redline is that it can be a lot to take in. The movie throws new names and characters at the viewer with reckless abandon, and while this leads to a rich world, it also makes it an overwhelming one. Likewise, not everyone will enjoy the film’s weird designs, and even those who end up liking them in the end may need some time to get used to them. But despite its superficial strangeness, the film’s heart keeps it grounded.
Watch Redline if you’re interested in a stylized anime with plenty of action and an enjoyable story. Redline’s extremes won’t appeal to everyone, but the combination of impressive visuals, a feel-good tone, and raw adrenaline make it worth a try for anyone who’s curious. Those looking for something conventional may want to skip it. For the live-action equivalent, try Speed Racer. For another stylized, off-the-wall anime, try MFKZ.
7.5 out of 10 on IMDB. I give it the same for inventive designs, high energy, and a surprising amount of heart.