Get Backers: Volume 4

Review Date: 2005 July 24 10:30

Reviewed by: Azure

Released by: ADV Films UK

Age Rating: PG

Region: 2 - UK

Volume 4 of 10

Length: 125 minutes

Subtitles: English

Audio: English 5.1 Surround
Japanese 2.0 Stereo

Summary

Volume 4 of Get Backers is all about settling old scores. The good guys get separated once again for a series of one of one battles all set within the mysterious Limitless Fortress, to make matters worse being back in the Limitless fortress looks like it’s having a bad effect on Ginji.

Review

The dark tone persists throughout volume 4 of Get Backers which continues the story set up in volume three, but the stakes are raised as the characters discover more about the object they are sent to retrieve and Limitless fortress itself. The extended storyline provides the perfect opportunity to dive into the characters past; this also effectively means that two plots are running at the same time. Mostly this works well but in places the plot becomes a little muddy as the series continually tries to surprise the viewer, and in doing so looses it’s way a bit. That said the story gets back on track by the last episode on the DVD, it’s certainly not uncommon for longer series to have weaker episodes.

The fights also become increasingly exotic since most characters gimmicks have been revealed it is the locations, which change. This adds a little variety and a chance to up the ante, but I’m not sure it was as effective as it could have been there were certainly some odd moments involving Lady Poison and Ban, it’ll certainly be interesting to see what they do next to maintain interest. That said there were still some excellent fights this volume the fight between Shido and Emishi standing out. The villain of the story Makubex also gets some more screen time, and the story increasingly focuses around his plans and motivations. Rather than bring physically orientated like most of the other characters Makubex’s abilities are intellectual, being more of a master manipulator than a fighter. I haven’t decided if I like him as a villain yet, unfortunately the story arc isn’t resolved here the real testing ground for most villains is always the final confrontation. Ginji also gets some excellent scenes as we see him act far more uncontrolled violent manner, I certainly want to keep watching to see him face off against Makubex.

The animation remains strong although isn’t the best I’ve seen in the series. The tone is also extremely dark, which serves to raise tension ready for the final confrontation. Despite stumbling in a few places the story is developing, what’s most important to say is that the end of this DVD left me wanting more. Get Backers remains an engrossing and diverse action series.

Rating: 7/10