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

Astro Boy: Hello, I'm 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)

Astro Boy (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.

Astro Boy: 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.

?????

Red Riding Hood: Impossible!

Pussy: If you say so.

Astro Boy: Remember that famous scene from Star Wars...

(That "I am your father!" scene from Star Wars Episode V: The Empire Strikes Back is shown)

Astro Boy (vo): ...where Anakin renamed Darth Vader told Luke Skywalker finds out who his daddy is?

Luke Skywalker: That's not true. That's impossible!

Astro Boy: (points to the film's moment of Red Riding Hood and Pussy singing) This! (Struggles not to lose it) This!

Astro Boy (vo): Red and Pussy sings a idiotic song about impossible or quite possible, once again utilizing the girl's conscience, and encounters Bucky the Wolf at her.

?????

Astro Boy: So that was the midquel as Nippon Animation, not the original as Saban, of Little Red Riding Hood's Amazing Adventure. Does it hold up?

(Footage of the film play out as Astro Boy gives his final thought)

?????

Astro Boy: Right, now we're going to talk about Little Red movie that's worth talking about!

(Then, Chihiro (Spirited Away) appears in his room)

Chihiro: You said it, Astro.

Astro Boy: Chihiro! Wait, what are you doing here?

Chihiro: I want to help you talk about Red Riding Hood movie that's worth talking about.

Astro Boy: Oh, of course! With your love of fairy tale movies, it only makes sense that you want to talk about...

Chihiro: ...the 1998 Nippon Animation version.

(Beat)

Astro Boy: What, are you out of your mind?!

Chihiro: No. But the movie is! It's one of the most midquel ever, and we need to talk about it.

Astro Boy: Yeah, but...what about the original Red Riding Hood?

Chihiro: You mean (holds up the DVD for...) the 1987 Cannon Films' Fairy Tale with Amelia Shankley, or (holds up the Blu-Ray of...) the 2011 Warner Bros. version with Amanda Seyfried? You mean, the good ones? (as Astro Boy shakes his head) Look, everything about the classic versions has been already said. They're masterpieces. But this new one, we need to give it what it deserves.

Astro Boy: (sighs and massages his forehead) Oh, great. So we're really ending Easter Critic like this? Will it still even be the March or April by the time this comes out?

Chihiro: It doesn't matter. (brings out cases for 1987 and 2011 movies again) To defend the honor of the classic Red Riding Hood, we have to do this.

Astro Boy: (sighs again) Fine. All right. Next week, if you'll excuse me, I'm actually off to see the Nippon Animation midquel of The Adventures of Red Riding Hood. (The Nippon Animation poster is shown once more) There you go. I'm Astro Boy. I remember it so you have to. (Gets up and leaves the room)

AstroBoyShowCaseTheater Tagline: Red Riding Hood: Impossible!

'Pussy: 'If you say so.

(the credits roll)