I really tried to like this movie, but it just wasn't working for me. I'm a fairly smart individual, but this might have flown straight over my head.
The movie explained so little, or it might be lost translation (I saw the subbed version). Either way I have a bunch of questions.
1. What/who is Akira? Kei said something about memories and power innate in everyone? 1b. If he(?) were so powerful, how come he died? 1c. Frozen parts of tissue? 1d. What is up with the Akira religious people? 2. Did Tokyo get nuked during ww3 or was it, as I think, Akira? 2b. If it was Akira... Why would he(?) blow up? 2c. If it was Akira... Tiny bit convenient/strange that it was exactly during/end of ww3? 3. Did the military bring out pcy abilities in random people? 3b. If so... Why? What did they gain? 4. What was the objective of Kei's group? 4b. They kidnapped/rescued the walking green kid. Why? 4c. I kinda thought they were against the oppressive government, but they were in league with the greedy politician who shot Ryu? Huh? 5. What the deal with the color waves and sound? 5b. What was the deal with the synchronization aspect? 5c. Why did the Colonel get mad at the Doctor at one point concerning the wave/sound thing? 6. Why did the kids torment Tetsuo? 7. What kind of strategy is to antagonize Tetsuo more to calm him down, like Kanedu does several times?
The art and sound was great, but when I have so many questions I just can't enjoy a movie...
I''ll try to give as concise answers as I can. For reference, all my answers come from information given in the film, I have not read the manga.
1, b, c, d). Akira was a telepath/telekinetic (obviously the powers were actually way beyond those terms), and was the same age as the "blue kids" in the film. He was the most powerful of the group and had extensive experimentation conducted on him. As such, he eventually lost control of his abilities and causes the explosion seen in the opening of the film, and dies afterwards. The military scientists dismembered, and perserved his tissues for future research. Regular people view him as a deity (his powers are god like after all) and from this become zealots awaiting his "resurrection".
2, b, c) Most of these are answered in question 1 except for 'c'. Most movies have plot conveniences, the obvious parallel in this film is the bombings of Hiroshima and Nagasaki that are generally regarded as the end of WW2.
3, b) The scientists were trying to understand their powers and how they operated. It's established that it's a dormant ability people could "unlock" through some means. In the film, Tetsuo had his awakened when he comes in close contact with one of the "blue kids". If the military could learn to unlock, and control these powers, their nation would become the supreme military power.
4, b, c) Their objective was to rescue the "blue kids" who have been medical experiments for over 30 years. They don't think this type of power should be wielded at all, let alone politically. They were in league with the politician to gain information, and access they otherwise could not get.
5, b, c). Those waves are from an instrument that has the ability to read, or measure telepathic powers. The audience is given no info on how it works, it's a product of the story's universe. The Colonol gets mad at the scientist because earlier in the film he tells the scientist to kill Tetsuo if his powers get out of control. The scientist however, was too fascinated by the events and did not stop Tetsuo when his powers got out of control. The Colonol chastises him when he realizes what has happened.
6) He's the runt of the pack, and a loner. He's shown to be moved around a lot as a kid in foster care. All that, coupled with him being reserved made him an easy target. That's just how life is sometimes.
7) I'm not sure I fully understand the question. Kaneda taunts Tetsuo because at that point in the story Tetsuo is flaunting his power over Kaneda. He doesn't need Kanda to protect him anymore (we see in the flashback that this has been happening since they were children) and wants to show off how all powerful he is. Kaneda taunts during the fight to not give Tetsuo that satisfaction. He's goading him into a mistake he can take advantage of during their fight. Hope that's what you were looking for.
The thing about Akira is that you really can't fully appreciate it in one viewing. The first time I viewed Akira I did not like it as well. After a few watches the answers all came out and now it's one of my favourites.
Obviously I'd recommend watching the film again and see if you enjoy it more now!
I'm sorry for the late reply. Thanks for the answers, you helped me a great deal. I guess I need to watch it again.
A few more questions and clarifications...
1d) Sure, I guess it is human nature to worship powers they don't understand. But still, it's not like Akira and the other psi kids where public knowledge. I'm sure the government explained the explosion as an accident or sabotage or something.
4c) I guess your answer makes some sense, but both parties should gain somethin.. I guess this is better explained in the manga, but since they didn't explain it in the movie, they should have just cut it.
6) I meant the blue kids, why would they taunt Tetsuo?
(It's been a bit since I've watched "Akira" the whole way through, but I'll answer to the best of my ability.)
- I believe it was covered up by being labeled as nuclear explosion. It's not shown, but somehow the name "Akira" got out and was associated with the causing the explosion at the beginning of the film. I just intrepreted it as something that swept through a generation of people in a hopeless, dismal metropolis.
- I really don't recall much about this sub-plot, but I believe that character was playing both sides for personal gain (his character is drawn like a rodent after all). I can't remember if he uses them breaking into the facility as a distraction to attempt the coup on the Colonol. I recall him frantically stuffing documents into an over-stuffed briefcase sometime after that. I'd really have to watch "Akira" again to properly answer this.
- I'm having trouble remembering exactly when this happens in the film, but I believe the name calling is in keeping consistency with the characters. The "kids" are all over 30 years old in reality, but their growth has been stunted by the medicine they constantly take. Clearly this has been happening since before they hit puberty. They did this to keep their powers from maturing. As a result they didn't mature physically, or mentally from adolescence.
Recall the scence where they attemp to kill Tetsuo while appearing as giant toys, but are easily frightened off at the sight of blood after Tetsuo steps on the glass.