The Lip Flapper : Volume 10.1 - Cartoon Heroes Review

This forum is for the general discussion of Anime Music Videos.

The Lip Flapper : Volume 10.1 - Cartoon Heroes Review

Postby CodeZTM » Fri Feb 24, 2012 10:08 pm

AMV Review : Cartoon Heroes

Image






___________________________


Introduction

When I first started here at animemusicvideos.org, there were a ton of AMVs that were published that I still, to this day, keep on a constant replay. One of these “classics” , is none other than Mamo’s (the artist formerly known as SenshiMamoru) Cartoon Heroes . To me, this is a perfect example of how a “fun” video is done.

___________________________


Concept

The concept is pretty simple, yet effective.

Playing on the lyrics of the song, viewers are shown cartoon related heroes that are the heroic “illusions of our fantasy”. This easily hits closer to home for anime fans, as the “cartoons” that we’re familiar with have more depth to them than that of other animation styles.

Sailor Moon, Kaleido Star, Cardcaptor Sakura, Pretear and others are just a few among the many. The link is obvious, as they all have similar art styles, and all have characters that “fight” for what they believe in, using abilities and powers that we don't have, while all the time still have happiness and smiles when it's all said and done. Even though the anime all have different plots, they all come together in a harmonious manner.

Image

A simple concept is made even more effective with some good utilization of visual effects

___________________________


Sync/Editing

Literal/lyric sync are the most prevalent here. One of my favorite aspects of the AMV are the points where they really just hit home the more powerful words. “What we do is what you just can’t do!” the AMV proclaims. At the same time, we’re shown characters flying through the sky, swinging swords, falling into a woman's cleavage without bodily harm, or even casting magical spells. It captures the emotion of the cartoons being a “fantasy” for the viewers, being able to step into their lives and imagine our own little world.

Image

I wasn't kidding about the cleavage.


The original version of the video was plainer (while still having a few visual effects), but the “remastered” version utilizes several different visual effects. Most of these are interesting additions, most of which bring home that illusion of them being magical heroes that we knew as children. Sadly, some of these effects are better executed than others. Parts of the AMV are a little nutty with the sparkles at times (Edward Cullen would be proud!), but the illuminated characters and magical effects are really effective means of getting the atmosphere across.

Image

This is an example of the effective sparkle effect. It really gives off Sora's magical talent for the stage, and glamorizes an otherwise less effective scene.


Image

Instead of an effective visual effect, I personally think it looks like that weird vision you get after being in poolwater for too long.


Image

Wait a minute... Is that a shojo anime?


Scene wise, I think Mamo did a good job of picking anime and scenes that really hit the song home. The flying/acrobatics/magic/fighting are lovely and did a nice job of hitting with the atmosphere of the song. Unfortunately, there are several fractures in the overall product that does hurt the AMV at times. Some scenes go from extremely active to nearly static and frozen in space. This hurts the pacing, but is not a major problem, as it only occurs a few times during the entire production.

Image

Gah. Sora's photo-bombing went and ruined the scene! Excuse me as I go get Bob to smash her face with a small atomic weapon.


The remastered version has various scenes replaced from the original version. Many of these I don't personally enjoy compared to what they were. It goes back to that "static and frozen" comment I made earlier. While it's nothing horrendous, it's still something that just nags on me as a viewer.

Image

This is one of those scenes that was changed out from the original version. It's a cute scene, but the lyrics don't match it, and it kind of shows us what a complete ditz that the hero of Sailor Moon is.


___________________________


Visuals/Audio

This AMV has really held up well with the times. It’s not the” 1080p blu ray 3D HD masterpiece handcrafted by God himself” (you can quote me on that), but it’s good enough that the typical person can watch, enjoy and not feel like we have beer goggles on. Maybe some minor interlacing on the Pretear footage, and frame blending with Sailor Moon? Despite that, it’s fine, and this doesn't impact the nature of the AMV, and does not get in the way of viewing experience.

___________________________


Final Opinion

Overall, I like Cartoon Heroes. This is something that I really liked, and I’m happy to have shared it with the community again.
Sadly, this seems to be a problem with AMVs as we move forward into the future. Older AMVs seem to get harder to find, or they’re not as “enjoyable” since they don’t’ have the aforementioned God-like visuals. Or maybe I’m just a whiny writer living in nostalgia-land.



..

.

Yeah, let’s just go with the former rather than the latter. :uhoh:

I give Cartoon Heroes...

****/*****

[4/5]

It’s above average and on the line to what I consider very above average, but some of the editing/effects caused enough of an issue in a few areas that really kept it from the 5 star rating.

___________________________


NEXT WEEK:

Next week in The Lip Flapper's AMV Review series? I tackle an action AMV that doesn't suck!

Uh... That was supposed to be a compliment... :uhoh:

See you next week!

___________________________


Author's Note:

Well, how did you like my very first AMV review? I'm always looking for feedback, especially since this is a new pilot project with The Lip Flapper. If you have an idea of how to better improve the series, please let me know either here, in pm or on the main page in the general AMV forum.

Thanks!

-CodeZTM
User avatar
CodeZTM
Spin Me Round
 
Joined: 03 Mar 2006
Location: Arkansas
Status: Flapping Lips

Re: The Lip Flapper : Volume 10.1 - Cartoon Heroes Review

Postby diegao94 » Sat Feb 25, 2012 12:00 pm

I've never seen this before! :uhoh:
After watching it, I have to say that I agree with your review. I enjoyed it, not my favourite type of video, but still enjoyable.
Good job on the review, keep the great work and thank you, Code. :up:
Image
Rising Production: Site - Forum - Facebook - Twitter
User avatar
diegao94
Enjoy the music
 
Joined: 12 Apr 2009
Location: Italy

Re: The Lip Flapper : Volume 10.1 - Cartoon Heroes Review

Postby iCardioidAMV » Sat Feb 25, 2012 12:16 pm

Cartoon Heroes! One of my favorite AMVs! 8D
I loved the effects in it, especially the sparkles, it added such a nice touch. Very enjoyable <3
Your review is very agreeable, Code. You covered the good and bad aspects of the AMV and gave a reasonable rating. Awesome job! :up:
Image
User avatar
iCardioidAMV
 
Joined: 03 Apr 2010
Location: Louisiana, United States
Status: [♥]

Re: The Lip Flapper : Volume 10.1 - Cartoon Heroes Review

Postby gotegenks » Sat Feb 25, 2012 12:57 pm

wait...shouldn't this begin with the 5 godix rules or whatever...?
Image
User avatar
gotegenks
 
Joined: 03 Oct 2009
Location: charlesgood, california

Re: The Lip Flapper : Volume 10.1 - Cartoon Heroes Review

Postby Koopiskeva » Sat Feb 25, 2012 12:58 pm

Very nice review sir. I remember reviewing this video on RDS Radio years ago... *feels old*
Hi.
User avatar
Koopiskeva
|:
 
Joined: 17 Mar 2002
Location: Out There Occupation: Fondling Private Areas ..of the Nation.
Status: O:

Re: The Lip Flapper : Volume 10.1 - Cartoon Heroes Review

Postby Shin-AMV » Sat Feb 25, 2012 5:48 pm

Good Review :up:
Image
User avatar
Shin-AMV
 
Joined: 15 Mar 2010
Status: Emo Poptart

Re: The Lip Flapper : Volume 10.1 - Cartoon Heroes Review

Postby siny » Sat Feb 25, 2012 6:58 pm

Uau! I never saw this! The video is awesome! lol Soon as I heard the song I actually felt really old, because of how much I used to sing it (no regrets!)
Your review is great, Code. Thank you, this sure brings some memories back :)
Image
User avatar
siny
 
Joined: 22 Aug 2009
Location: Portugal

Re: The Lip Flapper : Volume 10.1 - Cartoon Heroes Review

Postby JaddziaDax » Sat Feb 25, 2012 9:34 pm

<3 Mamo
User avatar
JaddziaDax
Crazy Cat Lady!
 
Joined: 16 Mar 2004
Location: somewhere i think O.o
Status: I has a TRU Arceus

Re: The Lip Flapper : Volume 10.1 - Cartoon Heroes Review

Postby Hagaren Viper » Sun Feb 26, 2012 1:01 am

Pretty interesting review! The use of Kaleido Star and Chrono Trigger always bugged me, because the latter had some dark scenes which clashed with the brightness of everything else, and the former because...well, those guys aren't exactly 'heroes' :uhoh:

BUT, this review put things in a different perspective so I can see what Mamo was going for and how they can fit. I'm still not 100% about them, but I do see the scene selection in a different light now.

So yeah, Im down for AMV reviews! I wonder what kind of Action vid Code likes...
ImageImage
ImageImage
User avatar
Hagaren Viper
 
Joined: 19 Aug 2005
Location: I dont wanna edit
Status: Just wanna play Persona 4Ever

Re: The Lip Flapper : Volume 10.1 - Cartoon Heroes Review

Postby Mamo! » Sun Feb 26, 2012 8:40 pm

Ahh this definitely brings me back. Thanks for the review pal, good times indeed :up:
Image
User avatar
Mamo!
El Shine-o
 
Joined: 12 Nov 2003
Location: Chicago
Status: <3

Re: The Lip Flapper : Volume 10.1 - Cartoon Heroes Review

Postby kireblue » Tue Feb 28, 2012 3:42 pm

I saw this before, but I can't remember when or where (Probably at AWA though). Anyway, it was definitely nice to see it again.
Image
MomoCon's 2014 AMV Contest will be accepting entries until Monday, April 28th, 2013
User avatar
kireblue
 
Joined: 06 Mar 2007
Location: Atlanta, Georgia

Re: The Lip Flapper : Volume 10.1 - Cartoon Heroes Review

Postby GloryQuestor » Thu Mar 01, 2012 12:56 am

kireblue wrote:I saw this before, but I can't remember when or where (Probably at AWA though).


It gets played quite a bit in the AMV Room circuit. I've seen it at past ACens more than a few times. :roll:
( :| Serious Business Studios :| )
Website Administrator, AnimeMusicVideos.Org
Pittsburgh Japanese Culture Society Events - AMV Department Head
Anime Weekend Atlanta - Video Art Track Department Supervisor
Another Anime Convention - Fan-Works Theater Staff
ImageImage
User avatar
GloryQuestor
Moderation Hero
 
Joined: 13 Apr 2004
Status: Study, Study, Study, Edit, Study, Study...


Return to General AMV

Who is online

Users browsing this forum: No registered users and 1 guest