Interstella 5555: The 5tory of the 5ecret 5tar 5ystem

Japan / France • 2003 • 68m •

• Directed by: Daisuke Nishio, Hirotoshi Rissen, Kazuhisa Takenouchi, Leiji Matsumoto. • Starring: Romanthony, Thomas Bangalter. • Music by: Thomas Bangalter, Guy-Manuel De Homem-Christo, Daft Punk.

An unscrupulous music executive and his flunky kidnap an alien, blue-skinned techno band, rob them of their identities, pass them off as human, and foist them on an unsuspecting public on Earth. After their arrival and their impact on the human population, the members of the band try to piece back their identities, escape from the clutches of the evil music executive, and return to their own world.

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Image from: Interstella 5555: The 5tory of the 5ecret 5tar 5ystem (2003)

It was so refreshing to see a movie without any dialogue. It doesn't hit us over the head constantly with exposition and melodramatic confrontations. We aren't told what to think or feel. We're free to analyse or just go along for the ride. It's very relaxed and easy to watch. The music is gorgeous and just doesn't stop. Each song flows beautifully into the next. There were no dull parts, no songs that sounded like mere filler. They matched nicely overall with the story and imagery. Sometimes they fitted perfectly with the visuals and other times they juxtaposed in an interesting way that still made sense and brought different, unexpected qualities out.

The story was generally easy to follow. It's interesting as an allegory about the recording business (or corruption in general) but then it also works as just a made-up story with aliens and fancy gadgets and guitars. It creates worlds that the characters exist within. It sparks our imaginations to fill in the details about these people and their worlds. We want to believe they exist outside of the movie. The characters all have clear motivations and are always doing things for a reason. There are no vapid argument scenes, just good vs. evil, man vs. nature.

I don't feel I have much else to say about this movie. It's short at only an hour but was one of the most enjoyable movies I've ever seen. I was in the right mood for it and it was highly satisfying. You can just sit back and let your mind wander. Bob your head or tap your feet. I really wish worlds like this actually existed, it feels like where humanity really belongs. Free, flying, traveling to all kinds of strange places, loving, listening to music.

Review by Christopher Reid from the Internet Movie Database.

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