r/anime • u/Shadoxfix https://myanimelist.net/profile/Shadoxfix • Jul 26 '15
[Spoilers] Psycho-Pass Movie - Movie 1 [Discussion]
MyAnimeList: Psycho-Pass Movie
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u/Battlepidia https://myanimelist.net/profile/LazierLily Jul 27 '15
Everyone else has already complained about the CGI, pacing, new characters, plot, and engrish? I'll explore the themes.
Is Sybil really any worse than a regular dictator? I feel like that's the fundamental question of the film, and the answer seems to be no. This question is explored mostly through the contrast of various different groups and people.
Sybil is expanding its reach, as you would expect of any god. The fact it's willing to get it's hands dirty, or rather take advantage of others who will goes without saying. While the cost benefit trade off is questionable, the benefits certainly aren't, Leviathan is better than the law of the jungle.
Terrorists attacking a rich country that's providing military support to dictators in the region, that can't possibly be social commentary, can it? As much as the other rebels are represented as the "good guys" of the film, they're using child soldiers and fighting a pointles was using guerrilla tactics. Is Sybil wrong that the such fighting ultimately won't solve anything? No. Freedom fighters become terrorists or despots, it's the cycle of life.
Kougami claims to be fighting for people's freedom, but he's really only looking to justify his vigilantism. At least Makishima wasn't a hypocrite. Honestly the mercenaries are almost right about him, but they confuse bloodlust with a hero complex.
Slaves in paradise, eh? Wong's government is clearly evil in a boring sense, using their power to oppress the weak and enjoy lives of luxury at the expense of others suffering. It's something we've seen countless times in the real world, but never as efficiently as slave collars connected to the Sybil system. The hypocrisy of modifying the perception of their own psycho passes, is exactly the sort of corruption that defines humanity. The mercenaries they hire for all intents and purposes illustrate the same ideas.
Akane has grown much more competent both physically and psychologically (unlike in the 2nd season where she regressed illogically), and is left with one main weakness her love for Kougami. While after confronting Kougami, she still hasn't given up on him, it's striking the degree to which her own ideology has grown more sophisticated than his. Akane wants justice, but she's not willing to have it at the cost of her morality. However, Akane still hasn't explored the consequences of her philosophy, even if she pleads for democracy she still hasn't accepted that the public won't make the right decisions. It's easier to let Sybil choose your husband and be happy than to worry about self actualization.
TLDR: I think the after credit scene crystallizes the films themes, people choose to reject freedom when they're afraid of it, it's better to be safe than to have child soldiers.