2067: Isolation

japan Seals Herself Off From The Eyes Of The World In The Face Of Unilateral International Policy Setting Strict Limits On The Use Of Robotic Technology. The Island Nation Exists Only Behind The Veil Of Seclusion. No Soul Shall Enter. No Soul Shall Leave.

2077: Revelation

the Veil Is Breached. Japan Is Infiltrated By Agents Of The Organization S.w.o.r.d., A Fighting Force Operating Outside The Protection Of The United States And Her Allies. Their Mission: Determine If The Japanese Are Developing Banned Robotic Bio-technology, Forbidden Due To Its Threat To Humankind.

in The Battle Between Machine And Man, Humanity Stands To Suffer The Most.

Vexille (2007, subtitled 2077 Nippon Sakoku: "2077 Isolation of Japan") is a CG/motion capture film that apes the popular Appleseed series. In 2077, 10 years after Japan withdrew into a sort of neo-Tokugawa isolation to pursue illegal cyborg technology, most of the population has been turned into androids by the evil Daiwa Heavy Industries. Vexille, a tough-as-press-on-nails mecha pilot in theDeunan Knute mode, joins in a raid on the remains of Tokyo to learn about the threat this technology poses. An unremarkable series of chases, mecha battles and Morris-the-Explainer-scenes ensues as Vexille, her beau Leon, and the few Japanese who still cling to their humanity destroy Daiwa's fortified island headquarters. Most of the story elements are borrowed other films, including Appleseed Ex Machina, Dune and the two Ghost in the Shell features. Vexille was clearly a low-budget production: the poorly rendered figures ressemble wax puppets and their shadows shrink and grow like stains on their clothing. (Rated PG-13: violence, violence against women, tobacco use) --Charles Solomon

Stills from Vexille (click for larger image)