Serial Experiments Lain (1998)
Also known as "Serial Experiments Lain Volume 4: Reset"
Starring: Kaori Shimizu, Ayako Kawasumi, Ryûnosuke Obayashi, Rei Igarashi, Yôko Asada, Chiharu Tezuka, Mazabi Mizuno, Shô Hayami, Kotomi Muto, Kento Takimoto, Yuki Yamamoto, Sora Tômo, Takumi Yamazaki
Director: Ryutaro Nakamura
Running Time: 72 minutes
US MPAA rating: N/AUK BBFC rating: 12
Animation, Mystery, Science Fiction
On DVD Everything that has a beginning has an end. So boasted the portentous motto for the final film in the Wachowski brothers'
DVD Extras: Choice of English or Japanese audio (each with optional English subtitles); elaborate episode and scene selection, plus brief, eccentric 'devices' appended to every episode, focussing on a different body part of Kaori Shimizu; promotional trailers for the DVD, television, cd, and Playstation game; concept art (18 design stills); plus suitably enigmatic (and very short) trailer for 'Lain' entitled 'the weird'.
It's Got: Madness, suicide, deicide, self-effacement, déjà vu, beautifully trippy artwork, a dark teatime of the soul, and a strangely moving conclusion.
It Needs: Close attention and an open mind.
Alternatives: Serial Experiments Lain Volume 1: Navi, Serial Experiments Lain Volume 2: Knights, Serial Experiments Lain Volume 3: Deus, Matrix, 'Avalon', 'Existenz', 'Videodrome', 'All About Lily Chou-Chou', Donnie Darko, The Butterfly Effect, Eternal Sunshine of the Spotless Mind
Summary: With this enigmatic but deeply moving conclusion, Lain will haunt the dark recesses of your unconscious for a long time to come.
External Links
Official Web Site
Serial Experiments Lain at the IMDB
