THE PROFESSIONAL: GOLGO 13 (1983)

Directed By: Osamu Dezaki 
Written By: Shukei Nagasaka 
Takao Saito (Comic Book) 
Gregory Snegoff (English Version) 
Cinematography By: Hirokata Takahashi 
Editor: Masatoshi Tsurubushi 

Cast: (Voices) Gregory Snegoff, Mike Reynolds, Michael McConnohie, Edie Mirman, Joyce Kurtz, Diane Michelle, Kerrigan Mahan

Indestructible to his enemies and irresistible to women, the professional assassin codenamed GOLGO 13 is shrouded in mystery and anonymity. If you're on his hit list your already dead. Always hired on his reputation alone, GOLGO 13 never breaks a contract. But can he survive the combined forces of the FBI, CIA, The Pentagon, and the U.S. Army? Has the nameless agent finally met his match against the superhuman powers of the Snake and the twin evils of the psychopathic mercenaries, Gold and Silver?

The film feels like a classic tale as we watch it unfold.

I imagine this is a film that studios have drooled her to make love actions and have actually made one. No matter how racy. As the story has it all sex, Violence, anti-hero protagonist. Who is effortlessly cool. Inventive action sequences and a conspiracy-style story.

According to Helen McCarthy, The Professional was based on various Western action films the writers had used for inspiration. Ironically, the film's own influence can be seen in later Western films.

Though today's studios would probably try to censor it down. So it can be available to all demographics and audiences.

This animated film made in the 80's though feels like a 80s futuristic story not so much as far as technology, just advanced times and the style in which the Milieu is set in and the styles used To tell the story

The main character is a fan of trench coats and revolvers. Like the detectives in classic noir tales or like the quiet Hitmen in films or like samurai shave their unofficial uniforms. As he seems to follow a kind of samurai code and defeats supposedly undefeatable enemies way too easily.

Made In 1985. I can see many modern and 90's cinemas using this film as a model for ideas and style for their films. The CG sequence with the skeletons featured on the DVD was originally omitted from the VHS versions released in the US, for reasons unknown.


One of the earliest anime productions to use CGI. It did not become a common addition to the genre until the mid-90s with the advent of Macross Plus and Ghost in the Shell.

In certain scenes instead of action the film shows a succession of montages to make striking images instead of sequences. That kind of animation/filmmaking seems to have been lost in today's animated films. Where they have the power to make anything they can imagine into a visual and keep it believable without the worry of budget.

It's more of an action spectacle of images keeping the story moving.

Definitely can tell that the anime series COWBOY BEBOP was influenced by it.

This film's animation seems to be more on the hand-drawn side. Not computer graphics. The hand-drawn style makes it seem that much closer to live action in its simplicity. Though the coverage and scope of the action scenes could only be achieved by animation

I am surprised by how much sex was in this film at first. Though the first spectacular use of it does help to show the world the character deals in and how resourceful he is.

I can see this film being shocking at the time of its release as it features some content, though normal today. I can see it as controversial then depending on who was watching.

The film is straightforward while trying to be a mystery in certain aspects. Though it does produce a demented hard heart.

I was shocked at how much I enjoyed the film even with the unexplained villain assassin who seems to exist only to be seen as impossible to kill.

I can truly say the film is ever predictable Especially as it begins to wind down the film does contain a dynamite ending that comes out of nowhere and gives you food or thought.

Grade: A