In a post-apocalyptic future (is there any other kind?) where all of the human inhabitants have been wiped out, a group of servant robots are evidently going through a 'long, dark tea time of the soul.' Pink-haired, "sexaliscious" Malice, a pleasure robot, continues about her regular work schedule (sans the sex with humans), which means she does a lot of aimless walking about. Her other mechanical peers: sex workers, cleaners, guards etc., are equally lost but continue their programmed agendas as well. When Malice enters a complex for some minor repair work, she is visited by a curious glowing little girl entity. Soon after she is ravaged by a tentacled creature (an anime must) and is immediately, and quite logically, transformed into a human. Her robot friends are unable to recognize her and many of them are quick to reject her. Resorting to the only other way she knows to commune, she begins to share passionate kisses with many of them. (Read: lots of lesbian robot kisses!) Her kiss transforms the robots into living organisms but, unlike Malice, their appearance is altered into random, Giger-esque monstrosities. The kiss also morphs into a virus and soon the other robot/organisms are spreading this strange disease everywhere.

Though the set-up is warmed over Phillip K. Dick, it does hint at an intriguing premise. Melancholy robots doomed to function the same antiquated, useless duties forever does have a certain poetic resonance. (Insert the life-is-a-meaningless-program metaphor here.) "Malice," however, isn't concerned much with metaphors or poetic resonance. Its main interest is reveling in the bizarre and often beautiful imagery of its mixed media palette. Director Keitarou Motonaga blends computer animation and hand-drawn cells to mixed results; but a few of the visuals reveal a true surrealistic panache. Especially the rendered background work that often elaborates on much of the design. Fleetingly, an image of Malice or one of her sexy robot cohorts is realized in traditional animation and the result is quite beautiful. Unfortunately the bulk of "Malice" is designed in adequate computer animation; cold, colorful and lifeless.

"Malice" also suffers from a meandering storyline that is still too long at 80 minutes. However beautiful the human Malice is, her plight (and grating voice) grow wearisome about half an hour into the action. It would help if director Motonaga had chosen a particular tone, but "Malice" is all over the anime map. It's not an adult sex anime (though it easily could have been). Malice is a robot hooker; think of the possibilities. Most of her "friends" are also ladies of leisure, but precious little comes from this angle. It's also not weird enough or coherent enough to be unsettling. The virus that is spread throughout robot land is pretty bizarre; fleshy branches grow from heads, flesh rots web-like up faces, robots morph into otherness... But it never veers into "Tetsuo" territory where organic robot violence was taken to a wonderfully absurd level. The many missed opportunities for over-the-top weirdness make the venture, more than anything, kind of frustrating. The title of the film (basically meaningless) also reveals much about its uneven nature. This has nothing to do with the Internet, though an Internet site about anime would undoubtedly be more engaging than "Malice."

This Artsmagic release is consistent with their usual high standards. The film is presented full frame (seemingly in the proper aspect ratio) and looks like a high quality video game. Picture is pristine and the colors are rich and, in the rendered sequences, even lush. The Dolby Digital sound is vibrant and the sound design adds much to the "drama" of the presentation. The extras are plentiful beginning with a short interview with director Motonaga and writer Chiaki J. Konaka. A short "Final Fantasies' - A History of CGI Animation," a character model sequence, biographies and filmographies round out the supplements.

"Malice" is a worthy rental for those who are hyper into anime and can appreciate the experience on a purely visual level. There are also enough extras to keep the loyal satisfied. Those expecting a hardcore sex romp or even a surreal ride should look elsewhere.

UK site: http://www.artsmagic.co.uk/malice@doll

US site: http://www.artsmagicdvd.com/malice@doll