Little Red Riding Hood's Amazing Adventure (Astro Boy's Critic)

Astro Boy: Hello, I'm the Astro Boy. I remember it... (Gets annoyed at the booing) I like the movie!

(The audience immediately cheers at that)

Man: (off-screen) Let's go watch something else now.

(The title of Little Red Riding Hood's Amazing Adventure is shown, before showing its clips)

NC (vo): Just because I like a film, though, doesn't mean there's not a ton to talk about. I'd argue, even more to talk about, in fact. Little Red Riding Hood Amazing Adventure was, I'm just gonna say it, a daring film for Studio Ghibli and Saban to make in America of Japan. (The poster for Little Nemo is shown) This was a fairy tale with the little darker elements about the abuse of power in the 18th century half-medieval elements like The Wild Swans. Even hearing the title, "Little Red Riding Hood's Amazing Adventure", took a lot of people time to get used to. It's like hearing "The Hobbit [animated 1977 version]". It's very bizarre. Despite the film, unsurprisingly, making changes, like focusing more on Spirited Away angle rather than religious corruption, it wasn't quite the massive hit Studio Ghibli was used to. I think there's a few reasons for this. One: It came off the heels of a profitable yet still underwhelming predecessor. (The poster of that predecessor, Only Yesterday, is shown) Had it been released after Kiki's Delivery Service, it probably would've done better. The other being it's so dark abuse compared to other Studio Ghibli themes, that I don't know what era it would've been a big hit. In the past, the religious angle would've been too controversial and turn people away, and in the present, the fact that it's hand-drawn would turn people away. But maybe that's why I like it so much. It's not a film that easily finds a home. Yet I, and many like me, have created one for it. Over the years, a following has grown for the movie, who praise all the elements mainstream audiences just couldn't get into, the darker tone, the whimsical and dramatic music, the unconventional themes Saban rarely touched upon. But with that said, it is still make with a last role of Toru Hara. There's a lot of pandering that simply doesn't fit. But maybe there's an awkward charm to that, too.

NC: So, sit back and enjoy the perfect, but still one of my favorite Saban's America of Japan films of all time. This is Little Red Riding Hood Amazing Adventure.

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