Parents' Guide to MFKZ

Despite its frenetic pace and Tarantino-level of ultra-violence, this dystopian thriller lags in parts and lacks a cohesive plot, so it will likely only satisfy ardent fans of violent anime. Even if you disregard its completely unanswered questions -- like why Angelino and his best friends look so stylized, while most other people look realistic -- the plot is somewhat confusing, and it's difficult to care about any of the main characters. There's some humor to break up the constant barrage of gunfire and death, but even viewers somewhat desensitized to violence and language may find it hard to get through all 94 minutes of MFKZ.

That's not to say there isn't an audience for this kid of gritty, grimy anime; there definitely is. And audiences interested in social commentary will find plenty to unpack or raise eyebrows at -- from the very name "Dark Meat City" to the fact that nearly all of the brown characters in the film are gun-wielding criminals. But most mainstream moviegoers will wonder what kind of off-putting chaos has taken over their screen. One of the most memorable supporting characters, however, is a Shakespeare-quoting gangster (voiced by RZA) who enjoys making sure that those he kills hear Hamlet before they're shot (it's a nod to Samuel L. Jackson's assassin in Pulp Fiction). Whether or not the movie sounds appealing, be warned: It's definitely not for kids or (most) teens.