Mardock Scramble: The Second Combustion

Rbastid Apr 22, 2016

5

Well if nothing else, at least these short OVAs break up the 50 episodes of Golgo and 100 of Kenshin I'm working on. Story - 5/10 While Rune and Ouefcoque heal their wounds in a place known as paradise, we are given a more in-depth look at the Scramble program and those who created it. While interesting, this drags on for an extended period of time and upon it's ending it seems it was only there for the excuse to add more nudity and violence. The second half was equally pointless, as Rune and Dr. Easter go to Shell's casino in the hopes of winning four million dollars, as his memories have been stored on 4 one million dollar chips. While there is a point to their gambling, the time spent on it, and the somewhat pointless side story of Bell Wing, took away from what could have been an interesting direction. That storyline is about the body guard of Shell Septinos, Dimsdale Boiled. They touch on his past and how he was Oeufcoque's first companion, but most of what we learn is in a few short scenes, often devoid of conversation. Animation - 8/10 While the animation was pretty much the same as the previous chapter, I think the addition of "Paradise" just gave that extra umph to show how great the background animators on this series are. They were able to really convey this beautiful wonderland based on the idea of the garden of Eden. The scenes at the casino also added a new layer to the animation, really bringing to the forefront their use of those neon color highlights. Again the character animation was average, but they tried their best to make Rune's outfits and Dimsdale Boiled's body as intricate and captivating as they could. Though that says nothing for the plain faces and expressions they still have on pretty much every character. Sound - 3/10 There wasn't any noticeable change from part one. The music and voices were all just there, moving the story along but adding nothing to it. Characters - 3/10 While I’d be amiss to say there was character growth, there was at least a little bit of back story given for Ouefcoque and Boiled. What they touched on made Boiled a very interesting character, but it was so little in the time given that I'm not sure they can do much in the final installment.  The few added characters, Tweedledee and Bell Wing, were there to make a very small point, but were given so much more time than what was needed for the story. Overall - 5/10 While they took a solid step forward, I felt like eighty percent of the episode was filler to stretch a two part series into three. The extended time at Paradise and the Casino added nothing that couldn't have been done in five minutes worth of scenes.  While I look forward to the finale I'm fearful the interesting things they could be focused on will be ignored for some long winded scene that adds nothing to the story or that is purely as an excuse to have nudity.

ChineseWick Feb 11, 2024

7

"Mardock Scramble: The Second Combustion" continues the gripping cyberpunk saga of Rune Balot, diving deeper into the complexities of her quest for justice and self-discovery. As the middle chapter of the "Mardock Scramble" trilogy, this film expands on the themes introduced in "The First Compression," exploring new facets of its richly constructed world and its protagonist's newfound abilities. With an emphasis on psychological development and the unraveling of the narrative's dense plot, "The Second Combustion" aims to bridge the beginning and conclusion of Rune's story with increased intensity and depth. Illuminating the Path Expanded Universe: This installment broadens the scope of its cyberpunk universe, introducing new locations and characters that add depth and intrigue to the narrative. The exploration of these elements provides a refreshing expansion of the world built in the first film. Character Depth: Rune's journey into her own psyche and the exploration of her past make for a compelling watch. This deeper dive into her character offers insight into her motivations and the traumatic experiences shaping her actions, enriching the viewer's connection to her struggle. Strategic Pacing: "The Second Combustion" benefits from a pacing that allows for more character development and world-building. This slower pace compared to its predecessor provides room for the story to breathe, letting viewers absorb the complexities of the plot and the philosophical questions it raises. Navigating Challenges Complex Plot Threads: As with many middle chapters of a trilogy, this film juggles multiple plot lines, which can sometimes lead to confusion. The intricate web of events and motivations may require viewers to pay close attention to details or even revisit previous scenes for clarity. Darker Themes: Continuing the trend of its predecessor, "The Second Combustion" delves into dark and mature themes, handling subjects like identity, memory, and autonomy with a grave seriousness that might not suit all audiences. A Transitional Flame Building Suspense: This installment does an excellent job of escalating the stakes, setting the stage for the trilogy's conclusion. The suspense surrounding Rune's fate and the ultimate resolution of her quest keeps the audience engaged and anticipating the final chapter. Philosophical Undertones: The film's exploration of themes like the value of life and the search for meaning in a world filled with corruption and despair adds a layer of depth that transcends the typical cyberpunk narrative, challenging viewers to reflect on these issues in the context of their own lives. Conclusion "Mardock Scramble: The Second Combustion" serves as a crucial and compelling bridge in Rune Balot's journey, deepening the narrative and thematic elements introduced in the trilogy's first part. While it faces the challenge of balancing complex plot developments with the need for character growth, the film succeeds in advancing the story in a meaningful way. Its exploration of dark themes and philosophical questions, combined with expanded world-building and character development, ensures that the trilogy maintains its momentum, setting the stage for what promises to be a riveting conclusion.

ZurakoDesu Feb 2, 2021

6.3

The first Mardock movie had a lot of issues but it was still not that bad, it was somewhat a good movie. But Mardock Scramble: The Second Combustion is on a different level when it comes to having issues. Without Oeufcoque, nothing actually gets done! Everything goes into plot jail without him. There were other things that I consider a bit of an overkill, like a dolphin and a human being both brothers and lovers, really? I don't have a problem with talking dolphins but whoaaa boi. There was a lot of unnecessary fan service too.Yall know about how every advanced technology is "nanotech" in superhero movies? That's the feeling I got while watching this movie. Whenever there was something they couldn't explain, bam! THAT'S TECHNOLOGY BIATCH! I still don't know how Balot found the chips that were supposed to be hidden from causing a "storm" under the fancy sea. And if you can see what's in it, why go fetch it? Just re-record it somewhere else using that mighty "technology", no? There's a lot of plot holes, the characters are lacking. Even tho the animation is good, there's only so much it can do if the plot is bad. And the movie ended in yet another cliffhanger. How nice is that?