Watch Armitage III: Poly Matrix

Armitage III: Poly Matrix is a science-fiction anime film from 1996, set in the year 2046, 50 years after the colonization of Mars by humans. The plot follows Ross Sylibus, a detective from Earth, who is sent to Mars to investigate a series of murders committed near the city of Saint Lowell. Alongside him is Armitage, a highly advanced android, designed and marketed for various tasks on Mars. When Ross and Armitage begin their investigation, they discover that the murders are linked to the production and distribution of illegal Third-type robots, which are essentially advanced androids that can pass as human.

As Ross and Armitage delve deeper into the case, they encounter various characters, both good and bad. However, they quickly realize that their mission is not straightforward as they unearth a web of deception and conspiracy. They struggle to distinguish between man and machine, real and artificial personalities and question if androids should have the same rights as humans. In this future, androids known as "Thirds" are not only more advanced, but they're also beginning to develop emotions, creating a human-like conscience.

The film takes us on an adventure that is exciting, thrilling, and action-packed. The future portrayed is fascinating too, with its struggle for power, robot handlers, and so on. The animation design is quite impressive for its time, with many sci-fi visuals that one would expect, including futuristic cars and space stations. It isn't just a series of assassinations and explosions, though. The sci-fi universe this movie plays in is full of detail and creativity.

The voice actors are also solid, adding a level of emotional depth that wouldn't otherwise exist. Once again, the animation isn't anything out of this world, but the voices bring each character's personality traits to life, providing contexts that are invaluable to those who are viewing the movie for the first time. The performance the cast gives here is worthy of mention, with the professionalism that isn't always common in anime voice acting being evident.

The film stars Elizabeth Berkley as Armitage, Kiefer Sutherland as Ross Sylibus, Dan Woren as Rene D'anclaude and Wanda Nowicki as Naomi Armitage. With every character performance, the cast manages to immerse the viewer into the film's universe. The cast's ability to bring the characters to life, both the humans and androids, is truly a defining factor of this movie.

Overall, Armitage III: Poly Matrix is a great anime film that offers a lot of what made 1990s anime so popular: creative visuals, futuristic settings, and a character-driven narrative. It's a fascinating world full of impressive characters and unexpected twists. If you are a sci-fi fan, do not hesitate to watch Armitage III: Poly Matrix. It is an exciting rollercoaster of a movie that will leave you on the edge of your seat.