Cosmolina 2 is a 2003 Japanese animated superhero black comedy film written and directed by Mamoru Hosoda, animated by Studio Ghibli for Tokuma Shoten, Nippon Television Network, Hakuhodo, Buena Vista Home Entertainment, Mitsubishi and Toho and distributed by the latter company. The film is the second installment in the Cosmolina film series and a sequel to Cosmolina (2000). The story continues the conflict between the two groups with the Meerkats, now with the aid of Sunshine continuing their efforts to defeat Klein despite being wanted by the government. The conflict is worsened when Henry learns that Mandy is still alive and is being held captive by Klein with a superpowered son fathered by Maximan. Henry is attempting to rescue his wife from Klein. Electricia, a new superhero with a secret past, joins the Mighty Seven and subtly promotes her message throughout the world, with the hopes of convincing an unwitting Maximan to lead Supes to world domination. The film stars Ashley Johnson, Tara Strong, Sarah Michelle Gellar, Gary Oldman, Samuel L. Jackson, Vincent Cassel, Glenn Close, Gina Gershon, Daryl Sabara, Brendan Fraser, Jennifer Connolly, Cuba Gooding Jr., Sam Rockwell, Morgan Freeman, Julie Benz, Embeth Davidtz, John Goodman, Anthony Hopkins, Sigourney Weaver, Christopher Lee, Judi Dench, Vic Mignogna, and Chloë Sevigny. The film received high praise for the animation, humor, themes, screenplay, storyline, action sequences, musical score and voice acting performances, especially Johnson, Oldman, Fraser and Sevigny.
Plot[]
Cast[]
Ashley Johnson as Emica Kugano / Cosmolina, a superhero and high school student with multiple superpowers.
Tara Strong as Samantha Vareny / Sunshine, a devout Christian, light-emitting superhero and member of the Mighty Seven. One of the few superpowered individuals sincere in helping the public, she questions her loyalty to the Mighty Seven after learning of their true character.
Sarah Michelle Gellar as Suki Morutaki, Emica's best friend.
Edward Norton as Kenji Kugano, Emica's uncle who takes her in after the death of her parents. He cares deeply for his niece, but does not believe Emica has the confidence to stand up for herself after her aunt abandoned the pair.
Gary Oldman as Henry Atkinson, The leader of the Meerkats and former SAS operator who distrusts all individuals with superpowers. He has a particular hatred towards Captain Supreme, who he believes is responsible for the disappearance of his wife.
Samuel L. Jackson as Anthony Williams, a member of the Meerkats responsible for organizing and planning their operations. Formerly a medic in the United States Marine Corps, he is motivated by his attorney father working himself to death while attempting to bring Klein down.
Vincent Cassel as Guillaume, a member of the Meerkats and international arms trafficker skilled in munitions, ordnance, infiltration, and communications. After being coerced into joining to protect his criminal friends, he seeks redemption for his past crimes while battling Klein.
Glenn Close as Jenny Harrison, the original team leader of the Meerkats.
Gina Gershon as Mandy Atkinson, Henry's wife.
Daryl Sabara as Matt Atkinson, the 8 year-old son of Maximan and Mandy Atkinson. He lives a sheltered life with his mother at the behest of Klein until Maximan learns of his existence and begins paying him visits.
Brendan Fraser as Maximan, the extremely powerful leader of the Mighty Seven. Beneath his public image as a noble hero, he is narcissistic, sadistic, and cares little about the well-being of those he professes to protect.
Jennifer Connolly as Chloe Smith / Queen Claire, a veteran member of the Mighty Seven with enhanced physical strength and durability. Although she once wanted to protect innocent lives, she has become disillusioned and suffers from burnout.
Cuba Gooding Jr. as Neil Mattson / Torpedo, a speedster member of the Mighty Seven. He is determined to maintain his status as the fastest speedster in the world, resulting in him becoming addicted to Omnium.
Sam Rockwell as Jasper Brokowski / H2O, a member of the Mighty Seven who possesses the ability to communicate with aquatic life and breathe underwater. He is looked down upon by the other members of the Mighty Seven due to his status as the group's token aquatic hero.
Morgan Freeman as Mark Jenkins, the corrupt CEO of Klein International.
Julie Benz as Lana Varrick, while she is initially fired by Eleanor Schaeffer in the first film following Sunshine publicly commenting on her sexual assault by H2O, Maximan has her rehired in the second season as the new Senior Vice President of Hero Management so he can use her to spy on Mark Jenkins.
Embeth Davidtz as Elizabeth Newton, a congresswoman who publicly opposes Klein.
Anthony Hopkins as William Henderson, the CSO of Klein International and Maximan's creator.
Sigourney Weaver as Tammy Vareny, Sunshine's emotionally abusive mother. She initially seems supportive of her daughter’s dreams of joining the Mighty Seven, but is only supportive for her own financial gain. Samantha cuts her off when she finds out her mother purposefully had her injected with Omnium, which is the real reason why her father left. Tammy tries to weasel her way back into her life and puts herself in danger by getting involved in Sunshine’s business.
Christopher Lee as Phillip Atkinson, Henry's father
Judi Dench as Marion Atkinson, Henry's mother
Vic Mignogna as Daisuke Tezuka, Kimota's brother who possesses telekinetic abilities.
Crispin Freeman as Firestarter, a pyrokinetic superhero and retired member of the Mighty Seven.
Chloë Sevigny as Bridget Visinger / Miss Sovereign / Electricia, the first successful Omnium subject and member of The Mighty Seven with several abilities, including the ability to discharge burning energy from her hands. A former Nazi, she holds bigoted views towards minorities and individuals without superpowers.
Production[]
Release[]
The film was released on March 7, 2003.
Music[]
Although the soundtrack contains a portion of Marco Beltrami's score, a more complete album of the film music was released as Cosmolina 2: Original Motion Picture Score. 10 and 11 are listed as "Bonus Tracks" as they were not used in the film. Score performed by The Hollywood Studio Symphony; conducted by Pete Anthony.
Transcript[]
Cosmolina 2/Transcript
Credits[]
Cosmolina 2/Credits
Opening logos[]
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Critical reception[]
The film has an approval rating of 93% on Rotten Tomatoes.
Accolades[]
Gallery[]
Cosmolina 2/Gallery