Visually dazzlying at times, and a bit repetitive at others. The story is structurally sound, a bit awash in its own psychological symbols, but in a playful and sinister J-pop way the film as a whole, still manages still hold itself together. It's not Howl's Moving Castle and it's not Ghost In The Shell, and it seems like it was shooting in between, with playful excess and somber seriousness, though largely off course. The animation however was beautiful, and the film excelled during those madcap Technicolor dream sequences, but suffers as it tries to create tension and a sense of mystery. The characters fall somewhat flat, especially our heroine Paprika, however this was a much more interesting anime than most, with a story which will interest those looking for great Japanese animation that does not derive from the Manga tradition(this film was based on a novel by Yasutaka Tsutsui), and which does deliver in cinematic beauty and whimsy, this is for you. Enjoy the pretty colors.
