Memories - 大砲の街
Memories is a three part anthology of sci-fi stories released by Otomo Katsuhiro, which was animated by Studio 4°C. This post is the last in a three part series reviewing each of the films separately. For the final film, Cannon Fodder, Otomo worked as both the director and writer.
This film follows the day of a family, following their life in a hyper-militarized, dystopic society centered on the production and use of artillery.
Fodder has a lot to say about nationalism and militarism, and uses airplanes in part to make its point. The last scene, a dream sequence, includes a shot of eighty-two (eighty-eight, if we include the six hidden behind the flag) bombers flying across the sky in the background. Though it is done in a way to argue ultimately against their existence, these eighty-some-odd planes do fly across screen, and Otomo gets points for making a statement with them.
Cannon Fodder earns itself Two and Three-quarters Airplanes out of Five, because even though they are used as a background element, they speak to a grander message.
(Links to Magnetic Rose and Stink Bomb)
Thus concludes the Memories saga.
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