Ray Pride

Satoshi Kon's second feature to be released in the U.S. in the past year (after "Millennium Actress") is an overt remake of John Ford's 1948 "Three Godfathers." This touching, lovingly detailed story of three homeless people in Tokyo who discover an angelic baby that's been left in the trash at Christmas, ably transcends what are sometimes considered the limitations of animation. One cannot help but be impressed by Kon's remarkable skills, both as storyteller and as a director of anime. Urban homelessness is depicted against the backdrop of a teeming modern city, fully imagined from alleys to skyline with junky visual panache similar to that shown in Sylvain Chomet's "The Triplets of Belleville"--what is it about animators and trios?--and redemption comes along for the ride. It's solid, emotional work, a weird, funny and ultimately affecting accomplishment that also draws knowingly from popular artists like Capra and Chaplin. 91m.

"Tokyo Godfathers" opens Friday at Pipers Alley. (2004-01-28)

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