I revisited it years later and rated it worse than before. Controversial tape.
Very much in graphic, visual terms, in fact, mainly this and takes. "Live" animation, attention to detail, facial expressions, micromovements, object design, frame composition. In this regard, it is very similar to another work of the director – “Perfect Blue”.
But there's a problem with the script here. The idea seems interesting, but the narrative is too nonlinear and fantasy. Many dreams, symbolism, psychology of characters (for some - without a clear denouement). And at the same time, there is little actual development of the plot outside of fantasies. It’s like there’s something going on on the screen, but you realize that 70% of the time it’s just a dream in the character’s head, a psychological exercise. And if you try to briefly explain the plot (everything that happened without dreams), it turns out to be quite boring and without much twisting. And if you understand IT, then one fundamental point may seem so delusional that the plot will crumble at the very beginning.
Still, with a very detailed chewing of the psychology of the main characters - well, very poorly spelled villains, without charisma and clear motivation. The main villain is so caricatured that he recognizes almost immediately (the detective failed).
In general, Paprika can be seen only for the sake of animation. “Perfect Blue” has a lot of psychology too, but watching it (even a few times!) was a lot more fun.