Taking its cue from similar movies like 'Charlie's Angels' and 'Austin Powers', Anno Hideaki's 'Cutie Honey' is a mixed bag of zany humor, outlandish action, campy acting and psychedelic animation. Based on the cult anime and manga series by iconic Japanese Manga writer Nagai Go, the movie begins with a crowd-pleasing opening sequence that really captures the essence and feel of the 1973 anime cartoon. However, the rest of the movie fails to match up with the awesome first fifteen minutes of the feature.

Sato Eriko is certainly pleasing to the eyes and is absolutely picture perfect as Kisaragi Honey/Cutie Honey, however her constant childlike innocence and carefree attitude becomes somewhat grating during the course of the film. Ichikawa Mikako is also good as Aki Natsuko but unfortunately she too is hampered by the limitations of her character's simplistic and cartoonish characterization.

The action is surprisingly top notch and the so-called 'Honey-mation' (live action footage mixed in with cartoon animation) sequences are really inventive and recalls the flawed movie 'Tank Girl' in some instances.

The movie really bogs down towards the middle with a series of candid scenes of Sato Eriko in a variety of disguises. It was totally unnecessary and was probably done to fulfill the 'Cosplay' (Costume Play) fetishes and fantasies of its target audience.

The movie really gets weird and offbeat when Oikawa Mitsuhiro as Black Claw breaks out in a song and dance number towards the end of the movie for no apparent reason. Perhaps this might have been appropriate in a spoof movie like 'Team America: World Police' but seems totally out-of-place here. In fact Koda Kumi's cameo earlier in film screamed out blatant 'product placement' as she also sings most of the songs for the film soundtrack.

The ending was the biggest disappoint. As with Anno's 'Evangelion' finale, the promise of an exciting, slam-bang finale are quickly dashed and instead we are treated to metaphysical ramblings and pretentious lecturing about the 'meaning of love' and how 'Sister Jill' should embrace love and evolve to the next level.

Being a fan of the 1973 anime series, I really wanted to like 'Cutie Honey' more. It's not a bad film and is at times quite enjoyable. However, I just wish that the movie followed through with the promising beginning opening few minutes and delivered something a bit more rousing and original.

I was never a Cutie Honey fan and the thought of a live action version did not thrill me at all. It wasn't until I had read a couple of reviews that I thought perhaps this was worth a look. Having seen the film I can honestly say that this film is absolutely worth a look or two or six.

Cutie Honey is a cyborg super heroine that is out to stop the Panther Claw Gang which has kidnapped her uncle. A year earlier they had killed her father in order to get secret of her existence. Honey pops in and out of disguises as she is hounded by the bad guys, a reporter and a female cop.

The film plays like Power Rangers on acid, mixed with comedy, drama, animation, J-Pop music videos and at least a dozen other things. Its a blast and a half. If you're not hooked in the first five minutes you'll never be, but odds are you will be, especially if you take it on its own terms. Its not really for small kids since there is death and ample bosoms but if you're knowing teen or adult you're the perfect audience for this gem.

I want to give the movie a 10 on the fun scale but I have to refrain simply because the middle third is rather slow, especially when compared to the action that begins and end this movie. There is something about that slow part that it never recovers from.

If you like comedy, action, spoofs, super heroes or any type of movies short of the heaviest of Bergman or other suicide inducing films give this one a shot, it will probably make you smile from ear to ear.