Search - The Big O (Vol. 4) on DVD


The Big O (Vol. 4)
The Big O
Vol. 4
Actors: Mitsuru Miyamoto, Steve Blum, Akiko Yajima, Lia Sargent, Motomu Kiyokawa
Director: Kazuyoshi Katayama
Genres: Action & Adventure, Science Fiction & Fantasy, Anime & Manga, Animation
UR     2001     1hr 15min

In the final collection of this 1999 art deco-accented mecha series, the filmmakers attempt to meld elements from previous episodes into a climactic confrontation between Negotiator Roger Smith and the forces of evil. The ...  more »

     
7

Larger Image

Movie Details

Actors: Mitsuru Miyamoto, Steve Blum, Akiko Yajima, Lia Sargent, Motomu Kiyokawa
Director: Kazuyoshi Katayama
Creators: Charles McCarter, Chieo Ohashi, Eiji Sashida, Hajime Yatate, Kei'ichi Hasegawa, Masanao Akahoshi, Shin Yoshida
Genres: Action & Adventure, Science Fiction & Fantasy, Anime & Manga, Animation
Sub-Genres: Action & Adventure, Animation, Anime & Manga, Animation
Studio: Bandai
Format: DVD - Color - Animated
DVD Release Date: 12/25/2001
Original Release Date: 04/02/2001
Theatrical Release Date: 04/02/2001
Release Year: 2001
Run Time: 1hr 15min
Screens: Color
Number of Discs: 1
SwapaDVD Credits: 1
Total Copies: 0
Members Wishing: 1
MPAA Rating: Unrated
Languages: English, Japanese
Subtitles: English

Similar Movies

The Big O
Vol. 2
Director: Kazuyoshi Katayama
4
   UR   2001   1hr 15min
The Big O
Vol. 3
Director: Kazuyoshi Katayama
6
   UR   2001   1hr 15min
The Big O
Vol. 1
Director: Kazuyoshi Katayama
8
   UR   2001   1hr 40min
The Big O II - Aggressive Negotiations
Vol. 4
4
   UR   2004   1hr 15min
The Big O II - Enemy Attacks
Vol. 3
5
   UR   2004   1hr 15min

Similarly Requested DVDs

The Onion Movie
Directors: Tom Kuntz, Mike Maguire, James Kleiner
   UR   2008   1hr 20min
   
The Batman Superman Movie
Director: Toshihiko Masuda
   NR   2002   1hr 4min
   
W
Widescreen
Director: Oliver Stone
   PG-13   2009   2hr 9min
   
Hidalgo
Widescreen Edition
Director: Joe Johnston
   PG-13   2004   2hr 16min
   
Kinsey
Director: Bill Condon
   R   2005   1hr 58min
   
Steamboy - Director's Cut
Widescreen Edition
Director: Katsuhiro Ôtomo
   PG-13   2005   2hr 6min
   
Up
Four-Disc Blu-ray/DVD Combo + BD Live
Directors: Bob Peterson, Pete Docter
   PG   2009   1hr 36min
   
Scott Pilgrim Vs the World
Blu-ray
Director: Edgar Wright
   PG-13   2010   1hr 52min
   
Wallace Gromit - The Curse of the Were-Rabbit
Widescreen Edition
Directors: Nick Park, Steve Box
   G   2006   1hr 25min
   
Blade Runner - The Final Cut
Two-Disc Special Edition
Director: Ridley Scott
   R   2007   1hr 57min
   
 

Movie Reviews

Don't be like Paradigm City and forget this title!
Guy Wheatley | Salt Lake City, Utah USA | 07/24/2003
(4 out of 5 stars)

"First off; that never-produced second season of Big O is finally just around the corner! The pay-off to season one's pent up pressure will finally be released! Two years after its American network airing, 'tis 'bout bloody time!I've been catching this series again on Adult Swim as of late, with some of its (mercifully) restored edits. An aside: This was the anime that *got* me hooked on anime. A two-year binge thenceforth followed in which I exposed myself to dozens of other series/OAVs/Movies. Some ja ne sais quoi about Big O in particular just engrossed me. Mayhaps it'll do the same for you, or already has!The homages to Batman are very overt and at times quite literal: The dapper Bruce Wayne-esque Roger Smith, diplomatic plutocrat by day, maverick vigilantte by night. Norman, the butler, is the benevolent shadow that assists Roger behind the scenes whilst saving enough time to prepare dinner and turn down the sheets. Then there's Roger and his grudging relationship of mutual respect with "legitimate" law enforcement. And of course, we have the cartel of deranged villians that Roger has to put up with, each with their own maniacal plan concerning Paradigm City. Big O has its own sylistic flourishes. Big O ditches the superhero spandex and costumes; Roger Smith is still in his double-breasted suit when he climbs into his megadeuce to save the day; that blond loony Beck is the Joker without the face-paint. Paradigm City is a semi-inhabited dilapiated metropolis, a crumbling gothic expanse filled with stories of forgotten pasts, people, and events, waiting to be exumed, which in itself is more mysterious and ominous than Gotham City. And instead of a sidekick, Roger Smith has his charge Dorothy, a well-mannered android debuntante with a red bob in a sensible/elegant black dress who deadpans all her lines. Yet, she occassionally emotes in an understated fashion that's particularly satisfying in that way that AI creations become, if only for a moment, "human." Dorothy's scenes of romantic tension betwixt she and Roger are also precious.As for the bad bits of this anime, well, it *is* a mecha-anime after all, which means, sooner or later in the episode, big robots are going to stomp around blowing stuff up. Occassionally it gets overblown, overlong, and silly. It's a necessary evil. Thankfully it's underplayed compared to Big O's mecha breatheren, and the allure of Paradigm City is never compromised. On the otherhand character development is rather slipshod; new dimensions of Roger Smith don't really crop up (one gets the impression he prefers it this way, considering his views on Paradigm City), and much of the supporting cast are mere caricatures (take the noir-cliche of Angel, the femme fatal with the dangerous past and double-edged motives). Dorothy is the sole expection here, and the most interesting character.Nutshell: Big O is surprisingly watchable, sometimes mature, sub-noir anime (even if it occassionally apes the vibe of Cowboy Bebop). A definite gem in the anime mine. If not a diamond, than definitely, say, an amythest."
Seeds of the Future, Another Megadeus, better get R.D.
Strategos | In Space above Planet Earth | 05/08/2005
(5 out of 5 stars)

"Hang on to your wrist watches giant robot fans! The epic conclusion to the first season of The Big O is crazy stuff. While previous episodes have been introducing ideas and developing characters (whilst showing off some awesome giant-robot action, noir atmosphere and super-heroism), these three episodes kick things up a notch yet again. Hold on tight, cause things are about to get scary...

The first episode of the three is all about a holiday that reminds us all of one we know, but that's just on the surface. What it's really about is how Dorothy and Roger's relationship is continuing to grow and change, and Dorothy is trying to figure out how to make Roger love her while Roger is trying to figure out how to show Dorothy that he cares about her (with a little help from Norman). The whole giant plant/monster thing is certainly DIFFERENT, but the best thing about it is how it starts to show us that Alex Rosewater is up to something (that involves the end of the world of Paradigm). A great episode just because of the scenes between Roger and Dorothy (like her and Roger's reaction when she can't ride in an elevator because she weighs too much).

The second episode is all about the return of everyone's favorite mummified psychopath, and ANOTHER giant monster he has managed to unearth. His plan? To destroy the Paradigm domes and their inhabitants (innocent or no). This one is a disturbing episode, particularly when the rich fools who go to a suspicious party find their faces on fire from the masks they are wearing and leap from the top of a high-rise. The battle at hte end of this one is more brutal than many previous ones, and at this point it's clear that Roger is not playing games and the madman must be stopped at all costs. A very powerful episode.

That showdown episode does tie in with the final episode, where a series of mysterious killings are all marked with the same phrase the Big O displays at startup, and everything is somehow connected to Roger, Dorothy, the Megadeus, and the memories that were lost in the destruction of the world 40 years ago. This episode is disturbing, frightening, confusing, and brutal. It's also brilliant. There are just so many things going on at once that it's hard to keep them all straight. Dorothy is missing for most of the episode, the murders are being investigated, memories are starting to pop up in young people's minds, Roger is trying to figure out how he is connected to all of this (and why he can pilot the Big O), Angel is warning Roger is back off... and the killer wants Roger dead. Of course the climax of the episode is the best part, when THREE Megadeuses attack the city, Alex Rosewater smiles that his schemes are coming true, Roger is wounded (and barely conscious), Dorothy is by Roger's side, and it's looking like the end of the world is drawing near. Awesome. The series COULD have ended this way, as indeed this episode answers many questions and raises many more, both satisfying you and leaving you hungry for a sequel.

Really though, these episodes were meant to tie into a second season, and the last episode will be quite confusing until you have actually seen the second season. What are those three Megadeuses? What is Alex Rosewater up to? Just who is Angel? What are those memories that Roger has? And why DID everyone lose their memories? If you really want everything to make sense, you've GOT to see the second season of The Big O. Till then...It's showtime!"
Not the end, yet!
Strategos | 04/22/2004
(4 out of 5 stars)

"Start looking for "The Big O II" Vol 1,2&3 DVD's.And I hope there will be a Vol.4 as well. "The Big O II" Vol 1 starts up from the ending of the "The Big O" Vol 4 DVD."
Big-O is awesome
kastandish | PA | 08/08/2002
(5 out of 5 stars)

"I've been an anime fan for a long time, and I never really liked the Giant Robot genre. But Big-O isn't just robots fighting, there's a ton of psychological aspects and mysteries that capture your attention and get you into the series. I started watching this on Cartoon Network a year or two ago, and ever since I've been hooked- the fanfiction, the fanart, the japanese version. I adore this series. This DVD also really leaves you on a cliffhanger, and wanting more. A second season is supposedly coming out soon. If you like this series, you might also like Serial Experiments Lain."