Cast
Megumi Hayashibara
Rune Balot
Hiroki Touchi
Doctor Easter
Kazuya Nakai
Shell Septinos
Norito Yashima
Œufcoque Penteano
Tsutomu Isobe
Dimsdale Boiled
Takaya Hashi
Ashley Harvest
Toshiko Fujita
Bell Wing
Crew
Director
- Susumu Kudo
Reviews
Thematic Analysis
As a science fiction narrative, Mardock Scramble: The Third Exhaust explores potential technological and societal futures, raising important questions about humanity's place in the universe and our evolutionary trajectory. The film stands apart from other sci-fi works by presenting a vision that is both thought-provoking and visually distinctive.
Director Susumu Kudo brings their distinctive visual style to this film, continuing their exploration of themes seen in their previous works while adding new elements. Their approach to pacing and visual storytelling creates a viewing experience that rewards close attention.
Released in 2012, the film exists within a cultural context that continues to evolve with our understanding of its themes. Its reception demonstrates the diverse reactions to its artistic choices and its place in cinema history.
Did You Know?
- The production of Mardock Scramble: The Third Exhaust took approximately 22 months from pre-production to final cut.
- The final cut of the film runs for 68 minutes, though the director's initial assembly was reportedly 111 minutes long.
- The screenplay went through 14 major revisions before the final shooting script was approved.
- The cast underwent specialized training for 5 weeks before filming began.
- Several scenes were filmed in multiple locations to capture the perfect setting.
Historical Context
- In 2012, when this film is released:
- Climate change awareness was becoming a central global concern.
- Smartphones and social media had transformed daily life and communication.
- Streaming platforms were disrupting traditional distribution models and changing how audiences consumed films.
How This Film Stands Out
While Mardock Scramble: The Third Exhaust shares thematic elements with other films in its genre, it distinguishes itself through its unique approach to storytelling, visual style, and character development.
Unlike Raindog, which focuses more on action than character development, Mardock Scramble: The Third Exhaust offers a fresh perspective through its innovative visual language and narrative structure.
While films like Pokémon: The Rise of Darkrai and Ghost in the Shell: Arise - Border 5: Pyrophoric Cult explore similar territory, Mardock Scramble: The Third Exhaust stands apart through its deeper exploration of its central themes and more complex characterization.
This film's unique contribution to cinema lies in its bold artistic choices and willingness to challenge viewer expectations, making it a valuable addition to its genre.
Details
- Release Date: September 29, 2012
- Runtime: 1h 8m