#SimonPrescott

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Black Magic M-66 (1987)

Writing a review for Black Magic M-66 is difficult because this is a forgettable OVA. It's not terrible; just reminiscent of so many other better films - probably unintentionally - that it can't leave any kind of impact.

Two fully equipped but un-programmed M-66 battle androids have accidentally been set loose. While the military attempts to take down the deadly robots, freelance journalist Sybel (voiced by Lia Sargent) discovers who the androids are after.

This 1987 OVA (Original Video Animation) looks as good as you expect it to, and that's it. There’s some cool action here and there as the nigh-indestructible robots do battle with the military. Sybil is an enjoyable protagonist who manages to stay one step ahead of the military due to a mix of her investigative skills and good luck. These would be much more impressive if the whole thing wasn't so familiar or if the brisk running time didn't make the story feel contrived.

We learn the robots are after a specific target. In their efforts to get to it, they’ll cause untold amounts of destruction and death. What are they after? It’s the teenage daughter of the scientist who created them. “Ok. So what?” The robots’ target is a typical teenager from any random anime so you only care about her survival because the robots are vicious in their attacks. She’s weak, stupid, given some comic relief-like lines that won’t make you laugh. Anything else? No. The M-66 aren’t interesting either. You might say that as dialogue-free, emotionless robots they can’t have personalities, but I disagree. Look at the Terminator, R2-D2, ED-209, or Mechagodzilla. You look at them and you go “Woah!” because of their look, the way they move, and their methods of taking out their targets. Not these buckets of bolts. It makes the plot…. I don’t want to say boring, but it’s I would never use "compelling"; let's put it that way.

I’m sure many will have nostalgia for this film, but I’m not buying. Like "Venus Wars", which I watched earlier, this film suffers most from the fact that you can easily compare it to much better works. Next to Terminator or any of its sequels and with the knowledge that there are dozens of robot-themed animes out there, I can’t recommend Black Magic M-66. I don’t hate it however, so If you decide to ignore my advice, stick around until the end of the credits for some short scenes throughout that give us a “Sequel” to the film. (On VHS, February 25, 2016)