Music in Motion: Review of Daft Punk’s Interstella 5555.

Interstella 5555:  The 5tory of the 5ecret 5tar 5ystem

Written by Thomas Bangalter, Guy-Manuel Homem-Christo, Cedric Hervet

Director: Kazuhisa Takenouchi.

On a planet billions of light years away from ours.  We see that a bunch of blue skinned aliens are getting down and funky to a band that sounds very much like Daft Punk.  When the band finishes their song.  They are ambushed and captured by a deranged record moguel.  He brings them to Earth, makes them look human and erases their memory.  One of the guards on the alien planet manages to send a distress signal to a ship whose pilot is a big fan of the band and especially it’s female bass player. That’s usually the case. Because in all of the bands I have seen.  If it’s inhabited by all guys,the one girl left will usually end up playing bass.  Anyways, the pilot’s ship(which is shaped like a cool electric guitar ) follows them to earth but ends up crashing far away from where they landed.  Will he be able to save them in time or will they be forced to be music slaves for the label and have their songs featured in bad car insurance commercials.

What sets this movie apart from other albums that become a feature.  Is that the story and  music have very little to do with eachother.  This is nothing more then animation set to Daft Punk’s “Discovery” Album.  It’s strange how well each track fits perfectly, not with just the visuals on screen.  But with the storyline as well.   “Harder Better Faster Stronger” works great because it’s the song used when the aliens are being made to look more human.   “Digital Love” is great because we can truly see how much the pilot really cares for the bass player.  When you first watch it.  It may appear like someone is just playing the music over a show that has the volume turned down.  But I assure you.  A lot of detail went into this production.  The character design is great and even though no one talks.  Each of the band members have their own persona, and manage to convey a lot of emotion with just simple gestures and movements.  With a running time that is barely over an hour.  This is one music video that has a good story, some really good music, and a whole lot of heart.  Seriously the last scene tugged a bit at my emotions and if you had a happy childhood.  I’m sure it will do the same for you.

If you are not a fan of Daft Punk.  You will hate this movie, because the entire album “Discovery” is being played.  Front to back, side to side.  Every track listed appears as the main soundtrack with other minimal sound effects added in.  Also if you are not a fan of early 80’s and 90’s style anime.  You may find this to be a little off putting .  Some of the motives of a few characters may feel a little far fetched, but don’t read into it too much. We don’t usually question the logic in why a villain wants to take over the world, and neither should you.   Interstella 5555 is great movie that proves you don’t need words to tell an effective and entertaining story.

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