The Big O [DVD]

"Paradigm City -- a city of amnesia..." Imagine, if you will, a story that combines Batman and The Iron Giant and you've got the spirit of The Big O. In this case, Paradigm City replaces Gotham and Roger Smith, the city's snappishly stylish chief nogotiator, replaces Bruce Wayne. Rather than become a caped crusader, Roger calls upon his giant robot, the Big O (aka Megadeuce) when things get out of control. Bandai's DVD contains the show's first four episodes -- "Roger the Negotiator," "Dorothy Dorothy," "Electric City," and "Underground City" -- along with such extras as a textless (creditless) opening sequence, text-based interviews with designer Keichi Satou and director Kazuyoshi Katayama, and trailers for four other Bandai DVD releases -- Angel Links, Mobile Suit Gundam, Saber Marionette, and Gundam Wing. While reading the makers' commentary isn't quite like hearing it as a voice-over, the commentary is quite insightful. It's curious that a music track wasn't selected to loop while the text is displayed.