I like to describe Interstella 5555 as a story about overcoming oppression, and the power of love... spliced together with some French group's techno music.

In 2001, the French music group Daft Punk released their second album, Discovery. While they put the album together, they conceived a story to go along with the music. This story eventually reached the desk of Leiji Matsumoto (Yamato, Galaxy Express 999). Together, they created four music videos, all of which aired on Cartoon Network's Toonami block. These music videos were the launch pad needed to create the film.

Interstella 5555 is essentially a feature-length music video. The entire fourteen-track album, "Discovery," is placed alongside animation from Toei (under the direction of Matsumoto). There are no spoken words in the film; the only audio is Daft Punk's music and sound effects. There is a bit of text in the film, some of it important to the plot. However, this is a film that can be enjoyed and understood universally. That's part of what makes it so beautiful.

The plot goes like this: On a distant planet, blue-skinned humanoids live in peace. An impressive rock band performs to the delight of everyone on the planet. The four musicians sing Daft Punk's hit song "One More Time," and they're certainly having a good time. The joy is short-lived however, as foot-soldier-esque space ninjas descend upon the planet. The ninjas fill the concert hall with sleeping gas, and kidnap the band. The leader of this particular group is Earl de Darkwood, a creepy old man who seems to have limitless resources and power. Darkwood flies the four rock stars back to Earth, paints the members so that they look caucasian (except for the afro-wearing keyboardist, who is made into an African American), brainwashes the band, and uses them to create hit singles that he owns the rights to.

But all hope is not lost! A renegade hero named Shep gets a distress signal from his home planet. In his guitar-shaped ship, Shep follows Darkwood to planet earth, and begins to formulate plans for a rescue mission.

Interstella 5555's soundtrack and distinctive visuals are particularly impressive. Anyone who has seen Matsumoto's work can easily identify his unique character designs. Nobody seems to make people quite as life-like, particularly in regard to facial expressions. Everyone I've shown this film to falls in love with the four characters. Stella, the bassist, and the only female of the group (perhaps a love interest to Shep?), has a pensive look on her face. Then there's Baryl the drummer: comic relief for any situation. Octave, the black keyboardist, is the serious one, and the leader of the bunch. Then Arpeggius the guitarist is always ready for action, and definitely knows how to fight.

Those who aren't familiar with Daft Punk's music should know that they are masters of sampling. Only about half of the soundtrack was created by the band itself. Out of all of the tracks on the album, the most famous piece is probably "Harder, Better, Faster, Stronger," which was (ironically) sampled in a Kanye West song titled "Stronger." Other popular songs include "One More Time," "There's Something About Us," "Digital Love," and "Aerodynamic." But the whole album is quite an experience, the likes of which you probably haven't heard before.

Interstella 5555 is a film that the entire family can enjoy, though parents should be warned that there is a bit of violence. If you believe genuine "art" can be found in pop culture, then this is exactly the film you've been searching for. At about one hour's length, it's perfect to show groups of people who don't have time to watch a two hour film, but want to see something new and refreshing.