Golgo 13: The Professional

Animation: A

Story: B

Overall Impression: A

Golgo 13 the Professional is the ultimate Superspy movie. He is literally so good at what he does no one has a chance not that they do not try. The story is pretty standard killer (Golgo is not a good guy in any sense) facing other killers. But it is pulled off so well it all seams fresh. The movie is most interesting in the fact they way it tells the story through animation is so uncunventional. The fights are not just fights, they explode off the screen using speed lines, comic book panels, or multiple angles at once in dofferent windows. The sniper scene involving Golgo shooting through a building is hand down the most inventive and coolest part of the movie The movie is so intersting to watch because you never know what will come up next. The pacing and mood have a great Detective noir feel.

Not that everything is great. The first 30 minutes is a little strange. Most of it has nothing to do with the story, it is almost like it is just to set up that Golgo is the ultimate assassin and women find him irresistable, even those who are trying to kill him. Golgo establishes himself as the ultimate bad ass from shot 1 so it is all really unecessary. Worst of all, not that interesting, hence the B for story.

The movie really starts rolling after all that is over and Golgo finds himself attacked from all sides, even his friends. Well friends is the wrong word, informants is more accurate. Duke is simply devoid of any emotion which is why he is so good. The action is amazing with Golgo going up against Snake, Gold and Silver in the finale at Dawson Tower. But the end has some real twists, including the past coming to haunt Golgo at the end, but not the way you might expect. The movie is such an experience, I call it a must see.