|
|
Home
|
R2 DVD Reviews
|
|
Written by maehara
|
|
Sunday, 31 August 2008 16:00 |
 The first season of Black Lagoon draws to a close, with perhaps not as much firepower on show as I'd hoped. Although that thankfully doesn't ruin the enjoyment value of these episodes, as a variety of people try to prove just how indestructible they are. Somehow, I don't think "realism" was on anyone's mind when they were creating this one...
9 - Maid to Kill
Rock's kinda jealous that Garcia has someone who cares enough about him that she's crossed the globe to get him back - you certainly couldn't see Revy doing the same for Rock. He's about to meet that person, too, as a trip to one of their local drinking holes brings them face-to-face with Roberta, who's busy dealing with the local thugs in a way that almost makes Revy look calm & restrained. Suddenly, the fee for dealing with Garcia doesn't look so appealing - and Garcia's seeing his beloved maid in a whole new light...
10 - The Unstoppable Chambermaid
Rock & the others may have made their getaway, but Roberta's not the sort to give up without and fight - and as the ep title says, she's unstoppable in her pursuit of Garcia. Even multiple car crashes can't seem to stop her. Revy's patience with being on the run eventually runs out, though, and she decides to fight fire with fire - and battle between the two crazy women is joined. Garcia, meanwhile, is still suffering from the shock of learning about his guardian's ultra-violent true nature...
11 - Lock 'n' Load Revolution
The Lagoon gang have been hired by the Triad to carry out an urgent job: they've been burnt out of their HQ by a group trying to get hold of a briefcase they're holding - a briefcase containing some very valuable information. The group that's after it doesn't pull any punches, either, so now the Triad are trying to get the briefcase away safely. They've hired five companies, each given a briefcase (only one is the real deal, of course) and given two days to get it to its destination. No easy job - especially when the enemy are already firing RPGs at Dutch and co before they've even finished receiving their instructions...
12 - Guerillas in the Jungle
Rock's in the hands of Takanaka, a wanted killer who's now working for the group who's after the Triad's briefcase. Takanaka's doing his best to be a friendly interrogator, but there's no doubt that if Rock doesn't play ball, he's going to be in serious trouble - and Takanaka's comrades aren't remotely as friendly. Just as well for him, then, that Revy and her getaway drivers are about to mount their rescue mission - although I probably wouldn't want to be Rock when Revy gets to him...
Four episodes, two stories. Roberta is like the evil twin of Mahoromatic in some ways (just without the flashes of fanservice), and the two episodes featuring her have all the action you could wish for, with both heavy firepower and more physical violence featuring heavily as she goes head-to-head with Revy. It's great fun to watch - mindless, sure, but that's the point. Garcia's growing disdain at what his maid's turned into (he knew nothing of her mercenary past) adds a slight human element to the story, but that's just on the fringes of what's really a no-holds-barred slugfest. It's what Black Lagoon does best.
The final two episodes have the potential to be just as violent, but doesn't quite live up to the early promise - when a story starts with a terrorist attack on a skyscraper you suspect you're in for big things, but there's a lot of cat-and-mouse in these episodes as well as Dutch and the gang at first try to avoid their pursuers rather than deal with them head-on. It's only when Revy launches her rescue mission to get Rock out of trouble that the action ramps up again - she must be mellowing with age, especially as she didn't have to save him to complete the mission. Her blade-wielding companion is someone I'd really like to see more of - she has the initial appearance and attitude of someone who really should be harmless, but once she gets going you realise that she's just as deranged and deadly as Revy. They make a good pair.
I have to admit, I'm enjoying Black Lagoon a lot more than I expected to - I'm not a huge sucker for hype, and the initial description of the show didn't really appeal to me. Once it got going, though, the series thoroughly hooked me with its mix of humour and action. I still say it isn't as hardcore as it thinks it is - something 2nd Barrage is supposed to correct, from what I hear - but as entertainment, it works on several levels and just had me smiling from beginning to end. It's not a show that will appeal to everyone, which keeps it from getting 5 stars, but for action fanatics it's hard to beat.
|
|
