‘Cowboy Bebop’ is anime the right way, ‘Phone Booth’ keeps you

on your toes

‘Cowboy Bebop’ fits the big screen nicely

A chemical truck explosion releases an unknown disease on Mars. A

bioterrorist attack is suspected, and the government offers a huge

bounty of 300 million woolongs for the capture of the perpetrator.

The bounty hunters of the spaceship Bebop set out to catch the

culprit and claim the money. They encounter more complications than

they ever expected.

The animated movie “Cowboy Bebop” is based on the Japanese anime

TV series of the same name.

Fans of the TV show will already be familiar with the crew of the

Bebop -- Spike Spiegel, Jet Black, Faye Valentine and Ed. Previous

knowledge of the TV show isn’t necessary to understand the movie,

though.

The animation style varies widely in the film, even from character

to character. Some characters are drawn in a fairly realistic

fashion, while some are in the typical anime style of females with a

big bust, a button nose and large eyes. The backgrounds span from

shadowy noir to rich colors. Somehow, all this variety works together

and makes the film feel visually lush. The animation in the opening

credits alone is wonderful.

The plot is intriguing up to a point, but loses flow and coherence

later in the film. If you don’t think too hard about the gaps in

logic, it isn’t a fatal flaw. Just accept the story as it is, and

instead concentrate on the fantastic music, wry humor and futuristic

scenery.

I have never seen the “Cowboy Bebop” TV show on Cartoon Network,

but enjoyed the film so much I’m going to start watching the series.

My friend who went to the movie with me is a big fan of the TV series

and said the film is on the level of one of the decent episodes, not

up to the best, but definitely not the worst.

While “Cowboy Bebop” will undoubtedly appeal more to fans of

Japanese anime, there is enough here for even anime novices to enjoy.

* TRICIA BEHLE lives in Newport Beach and works as a software

validator.

‘Phone Booth’ keeps you guessing

Colin Farrell can always be counted upon to hold your attention,

even while standing in a phone booth.

Farrell has a short opening scene to establish himself as a

fast-talking wheeler and dealer named Stu. His morals demonstrate why

there are words like “sleazy” in the English language.

We are also introduced to what the narrator informs us is the last

standing phone booth in Manhattan. The booth it makes it possible for

Stu to place calls to his mistress without them showing up on his

cell phone bill. As an added gesture of hypocrisy, he removes his

wedding ring before placing the calls.

One of Stu’s conversations is interrupted by an irate man waiting

to use the phone. During this encounter, Stu accidentally cuts off

his connection. When the phone rings again the voice on the other end

informs him that the speaker has a high-powered rifle aimed right at

him. To prove his story the speaker points a red light right on Stu’s

chest. With Stu still in denial, the speaker shoots a man walking

past the phone booth.

Now Stu has two problems: a man threatening to shoot him and a

dead body the police believe he is responsible for. His only ally is

a police negotiator, played by Forrest Whitaker.

From here on the plot becomes a cat-and-mouse game. The voice on

the phone seems to have anticipated every tactic either Stu or the

police will try.

Believable? Maybe. Entertaining? Sure.

* JUNE FENNER, a Costa Mesa resident, is vice president of a

work-force training company.