Today’s quick review: Black Jack: The Movie. Two years after a spate of superhuman performances at the Olympics, the athletes have begun to suffer from Moira Syndrome, an inexplicable illness that causes complete organ failure. Jo Carol, the head of a medical research lab, hires Dr. Black Jack, an unlicensed surgeon with world-class skills, to cure the disease. But Black Jack soon learns that there’s more to the story than his employer has let on.
Black Jack: The Movie is a Japanese animated medical drama based on the manga by Osamu Tezuka. The movie follows Black Jack, a stern but skilled surgeon, as he tackles a condition that could determine the fate of humanity. Black Jack: The Movie features a competent plot, a fair amount of drama, and reasonable craftsmanship overall. However, its thin cast, dated animation style, and lack of a clear emotional arc make it something of a niche pick.
Black Jack: The Movie is a loose spinoff of the 90s Black Jack television series, and its roots show. Black Jack and his daughter Pinoko are treated as constants, with minimal introduction and no significant character progression. Moira Syndrome, though calamitous, has the feel of a weekly illness. The supporting cast is limited to Jo Carol, an untrustworthy scientist, who happens to be the only character to undergo a complete character arc.
These factors don’t really affect the quality of the movie, but they do affect its scope. The story begins and ends with Moira Syndrome. The plot concerns the secrets behind the disease, the drama comes from Black Jack’s efforts to treat the disease, and the film’s main theme involves the possibility of superhuman performance that seems inextricably tied to the disease. The result is a focused movie with few frills.
Black Jack: The Movie is mainly worth a watch for fans of Osamu Tezuka or old-school anime in general. The movie delivers on its premise, but it doesn’t have enough in terms of plot, character, or artistry to draw in viewers who aren’t already interested. For an Osamu Tezuka adaptation with gorgeous animation and a more elaborate story, try Metropolis. For another anime spinoff with richer themes and a better plot, try Cowboy Bebop: The Movie.
6.8 out of 10 on IMDB. I give it a 6.5 for a decent, self-contained story without the scope to have a deeper impact.