Product Description

Mars. Days before Halloween 2071. Villains blow up a tanker truck on Highway One releasing a deadly virus that kills hundreds. Fearing a bigger even more devastating biochemical attack an astronomical reward is offered for the arrest and capture of the person behind the destruction. On the space ship "Bebop" Spike Spiegel and his crew of bounty hunters (Jet Black Faye Valentine Ed and Ein) are bored and short of cash. But with the news of the reward everything changes. Based on the wildly popular TV series "Cowboy Bebop" the big screen smash COWBOY BEBOP: THE MOVIE pits Spike and Co. against their deadliest adversary ever. Featuring stunning state-of-the-art animation this action-packed sci-fi adventure builds to a breath-taking nail-biting climax guaranteed to keep you hanging on the edge of your seat.DVD FeaturesThe Making of Cowboy Bebop: 6 Behind-the-Scenes featurettesMusic video for "Ask DNA" and "Gotta Knock a Little Harder"Conceptual Art GalleriesStoryboard ComparisonsIn-Depth Character ProfilesWidescreen PresentationDigitally Mastered Audio & Anamorphic VideoAudio: Original Japanese Theatrical Version and English 5.1 (Dolby Digital) FrenchSubtitles: English FrenchTheatrical TrailersAnimated MenusSystem Requirements:Running Time 114 MinsFormat: DVD MOVIE Genre: ANIMATION/ADULT SWIM Rating: R UPC: 043396090552 Manufacturer No: 09055

Product Details

• Amazon Sales Rank: #7025 in DVD
• Brand: Sony
• Released on: 2003-06-24
• Rating: NR (Not Rated)
• Aspect ratio: 1.85:1
• Formats: Anamorphic, Animated, Closed-captioned, Color, Dolby, Dubbed, DVD, Special Edition, Subtitled, Widescreen, NTSC
• Original language: English, Japanese
• Subtitled in: English, French
• Dubbed in: English, French
• Number of discs: 1
• Dimensions: 1.00 pounds
• Running time: 114 minutes

Amazon.com
As the eagerly awaited Cowboy Bebop feature film reunites the original director, screenwriter, composer, and vocal cast, it's not surprising that the film plays like an expanded TV episode. What should be the routine capture of a two-bit hacker by Faye escalates into a deadly game of cat and mouse, as Spike and the gang struggle to prevent the evil Vincent Volaju from murdering every human on Mars. Director Shinichiro Watanabe handles the action sequences with his usual panache. Inside the sinister Cherious Medical research facility, Spike fights a beautiful agent, using a push broom in a series of maneuvers Jackie Chan might envy. The climactic duel between Spike and Vincent plays against innocent yet eerie images of a Halloween carnival, recalling the amusement park setting of episode 20, "Pierrot Le Fou." Knockin' on Heaven's Door will delight fans of the series and provide an excellent introduction for the uninitiated who want to know why Cowboy Bebop is so popular on both sides of the Pacific. (Rated R: violence, brief nudity, minor profanity, tobacco use) --Charles Solomon

DVD features
As special editions go, this Cowboy Bebop DVD isn't that loaded. The bulk of the extras are six featurettes--about 35 minutes of material--consisting of interviews with the key talents including creator Shinichiro Watanabe and the vocal talent (both Japanese and American). Because the Bebop DVD series was void of any design extras, fans should eat up the 100 or so production drawings and a dandy storyboard presentation. Listed as "music videos," the two songs are essentially clean opening and closing animation cuts (without credits). Fans will also appreciate that the film is presented in both original Japanese language and English in Dolby 5.1. The film lost its subtitle, "Knockin' on Heaven's Door," from its American theatrical run for the DVD. --Doug Thomas

Customer Reviews

"Just a humble bounty hunter, ma'am."
Based on the very popular and successful TV series, "Cowboy Bebop: The Movie" is one entertaining thrill ride that really shows how effective anime can really be when it is done correctly. It's hard to think of a cartoon being so action-packed and involving, but this movie does a splendid job of doing just that. You're plunged right into the nail-biting action that will have you glued to your seat until it is well over.

The movie revolves around a bunch of outlaw bounty hunters. In Mars, there's a suspected terrorist running around with a virus that could very well wipe out the existence of human beings. Spike and company decide to take the case, as there is a large reward that will be given to the person or persons who catches the madman. The only trouble is that Spike and the gang have stumbled onto something that is much more than a simple bounty and end up discovering a big conspiracy that will throw their lives into ultimate danger. The action and excitement never ends until the shocking finale.

I watched the movie TWICE in one day. Right after I had seen it for the first time, I had to immediately watch it again. You know a movie is powerful when it has that kind of effect on you. Very rarely do I run into movies that make me want to watch it again right then and there. When you're watching "Cowboy Bebop," you really don't view it as an animated feature, but as a real living and breathing film. It is done that well. And, the great thing about this movie is that you do not have to have seen the show before. I watched this without seeing any of the shows and was able to follow it without any problems. Of course, chances are that you will want to watch the series after viewing the movie. The story is well thought out and appropriately structured. There isn't a single dull moment in the entire movie.

A little warning; although this is an animated feature, the movie is rated R. While it is certainly more mild than most anime, the movie does contain violence and language. I don't think this is anything for very young children, but I don't see a reason why older teens shouldn't be able to enjoy it.

The DVD has some nifty features to offer. First off, the picture quality is GORGEOUS. Even though it is an animated movie, the picture quality is fantastic and it really shows if you have great home theater system. The sound is also very good. Extras included are featurettes, music videos, storyboard comparisons, trailers and more. You can also watch it in the original Japanese audio track or the dubbed English one. I have to say, they do a great job of dubbing it in English. If you're not a fan of subtitles, then check it out in English. Overall, a very cool DVD package.

If you're looking for a wild and exciting trip filled with humor and thrills, "Cowboy Bebop: The Movie" is just for you. Again, you do not have to have seen the actual TV series to understand the characters or the story. The movie does a fine job of standing on its own. This is truly a great movie that shows you just how exciting anime can be. Definitely a favorite. -Michael Crane

You'll LOVE this movie!
Spike, Jet, Faye and Ed go after a Bio-terrorist worth a LOT of money. Good music from start to end (stay for the credits), with lots of humor and the characters are the same ones we love from the series, no changes like they do with other anime characters when they put them onto the big screen. Lovely camera shots, good quality work and you can tell they spent a lot of time working on the details. When the DVD comes out with lots of extras and both subtitles and dubbing in the English, you can BET your life I'm going to buy it. If you can't wait the DVD is already out from Japan (English subtitles only).
Try to see it on the big screen first. Not only does it seem to live, to reach out and touch you, but you're with other fans of Cowboy Bebop. How can you lose?
Even Ein has a few good scenes!!!
Go see it!

The Cure for Bebop Withdrawal
This movie has been described as an extended-length episode of the clever and well-shot Cowboy Bebop series; an unfair comparison. Knockin' On Heaven's Door, which assuredly takes place somewhere in the middle of the series, follows bounty hunters (or cowboys) Spike, Faye, Jet, Ed and Ein in pursuit of a tremendous 300,000,000 wooloong bounty by the name of Vincent, who has the capacity and drive to remove everyone from the face of the planet. It does sound like just another episode, with raised stakes, but the movie offers more than just that. The art and "camera" movement are much more polished than the series, and the fight scenes (which may be the among if not the best hand-to-hand-to-broom-to-coffee maker combat scenes caught in ink) also reach a higher level of activity and smoothness. The plot isn't convuluted; you'll enjoy it a lot more if you watch at least five or six episodes of the series, but the movie is easy enough to follow and self-supporting.
"_____ the Movie" efforts often take on their own lives, and offer nothing toward the originating series, but Heaven's Door is an exception. The tale perhaps provides some insight into Spike's invulnerability and willingness to enter death or death situations; gives some more color to the "Julia" storyline; and just provides more interaction among the main crew of the Bebop.
Expect many beautifully shot moments to appropriate music, similar to the first Vicious-Spike encounter in the series.

Can't go wrong with it, and is at the least, worth your money.