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ANIME AICN - Early Robotech: The Shadow Chronicles Review(s) (Updated)

Check it. by TheJake	Aug 12th, 2006 08:21:20 PM
I'll get it whether it sucks or not... know why? I'm a dork. Period.
CGI with traditional animation always looks like shit by Kirk's Toupee	Aug 12th, 2006 08:34:16 PM
I was a HUGE robotech fan back in the 80's as a kid and I have to say that the cell animation looks great but the cgi looks aweful. It feels like two different movies. It tells me that they did this on the cheap since it would be much more expensive and time consuming to hand draw all those battle scenes than use a computer. But you have to remember that at the time they played this on tv in the afternoons in the 80's, we american kids had never seen anything like it. The battle scenes were always the thing that stuck in everyone's mind. So to see them take the cheap way out in the trailer is a dissappointment. However hearing the original voices did bring back good memories.
I am such a geek by ennui	Aug 12th, 2006 08:45:19 PM
I have all of the episodes from the tv show. My friend taped them back in 86 commercials and all....and then made me copies I loved these things and break them out every 5 years or so.
Give Us A Robotech Live Action Movie Already!!! by MetalWater	Aug 12th, 2006 08:49:59 PM
It's time for a live action film version of this show!!! I always thought the concept of the giant alien humanoid troopers being the reason why Earth countered with fighters that are part robot, think X-Wing fighter/AT-AT hybrids, was a really cool justification for human's piloting robots. Something that Gundam really didn't have a good explanation for other than to just do it. Oh, and the city that gets sucked into space with our heroes' Fortress ship upon its initial warp launch into space, forcing them to take civilians and city centers...and transplant them aboard the ship, was also cool!!!
CGI w/ Traditonal Animation by ScottGreen	Aug 12th, 2006 08:57:32 PM
Shadow Chronicles isn't really CGI with traditional, its a combination of 2D and 3D digital animation. The animation seems more dominantly from the Korean studio DR Movie than from Tatsunoko. In Japanese directed projects, putting 2D characters with 3D effects and objects has been a mature art for a number of years. Movies like Metropolis and Steam Boy are probably the best examples, but TV like Full Metal Alchemist have also demonstrated proficiency. I haven't seen the film, but the scenes I have looked like the more Korean directed efforts. Korean animation is maturing, and has resulted in some very interesting projects, such as My Girl Mari, but what I've seen isn't on the same level as anime yet.
re: MetalWater by ScottGreen	Aug 12th, 2006 09:06:11 PM
The funny thing is that Gundam does have a good rational for human piloted robots, but it's well hidden in the series' supplimental material. I actually just got through sketching this out in the introduction to a Gundam blogging project I'm edging towards launching. The power source in Gundam blocks long rang sensors, necessitating the use of mobile suits to close in for combat http://tinyurl.com/nuh7m The fact that this isn't evident in show is one of the problems I have with the franchise.
Scott Green!!! by MetalWater	Aug 12th, 2006 09:22:32 PM
Thanks for the info!!! Gundam would also make a great live action film franchise. Just wish they'd elaborate more on what you pointed out...the reason why they use the robots. Anyway, good luck with your project...sounds great!!!
Hey by thefutureoffilm	Aug 12th, 2006 09:27:28 PM
What happens to Hunter? If the answer was that weak, I don't know if I want to wait that long to hear it. Lay it on me brother.
MetalWater by Northridge	Aug 12th, 2006 09:28:52 PM
Some things (like any continuation of the old BSG) should never be, MetalWater. Check out Gundam G-Saviour. You'll see why there won't be any more live action Gundam anytime soon.
saw a preview at A-Kon 17 by minh	Aug 12th, 2006 10:17:21 PM
Caught a clip of it at A-Kon 17 at the Robotech panel. Looks fun, and I will definitely be getting it on DVD, but probably for the nostalgia factor than anything else.
CGI and traditional animation sucking??? WTF? by Johnno	Aug 12th, 2006 10:27:36 PM
Where've you been man??? It works amazing well when done and blended right! Check out films like Ghost in the Shell 2: Innocence, Steamboy, Metropolis, or heck even series like Last Exile and Ghost in the Shell: Stand Alone Complex, or OVAs like freaking MACROSS ZERO!!!! They should just get Shoji Kawamori's team onboard!
But what I want to know is... by Johnno	Aug 12th, 2006 10:29:15 PM
What's happens between Scott and Marlene/Ariel? Do they hook back up??? That's the note I left the series with as a kid, and damn, it broke my heart!
Northridge! A Live Action Gundam Can Be Done Properly! by MetalWater	Aug 12th, 2006 10:34:27 PM
If someone like James Cameron was brought in to execute it...we'd have a great film on our hands. Have you forgotten his power loader scene from Aliens??? So, whether it be Gundam...or Robotech, or both...with the right director...and budget...it'll be huge!!!
I believe Matrix got the ball rolling with mechs... by Johnno	Aug 12th, 2006 10:41:15 PM
The only other one I know that's being planned is Evangelion, but the Evas are considerably different than traditional mecha. If you ask me a Robotech/Macross movie ought to be the first to go with Gundam following it up.
What the fuck is Kevin Smith thinking? by Darth Evil Dead	Aug 12th, 2006 11:43:30 PM
Kevin Smith was filling in for Ebert this week. I'm a huge Kevin Smith fan (I hate Jersey Girl like everyone though).. He gives World Trade Center a thumbs up..thats cool, and deserved.. But then he does one of the most fucked up things I have ever seen (not really).. He gives "Step Up" a thumbs up... WHAT THE FUCK !!!! This movie has a 20% rating on rottentomatoes.com ... How the fuck can Kevin Smith like this buy the numbers dance flick that has been done (story)a million fucking times in hollywood (Dirty Dancing, Dirty Dancing 2, Footloose, Honey, The Cutting Edge, the list goes fucking on).. Roaper on the show said the lead character not only cant act..but cant dance either and gave the movie a huge thumbs down.. So what the hell has happend to Kevin Smith? Since the box office of Clerks 2 went lack luster, has he gone from pussy to liking cocks up his ass? How has it come to this with Kevin? Step Up? A good movie? Kevin what the fuck is going on? Out of the two celeb critics, I thought Leno would suck balls to Kevin.. But it looks like Leno is the one fucking Kevin in the ass..and Kevin likes it.. He's gone Lance Bass on us all of a sudden... Oh fucking well.. http://www.youtube.com/user/Da rthEvilDead
Rick Hunter, Robotech, Macross, etc.... by Zadillo	Aug 12th, 2006 11:48:38 PM
Honestly, I think one of the best things that they ever did with the original Macross series (the Japanese one) was to really pretty much leave it up in the air as to what ultimately happened to Hikaru, Misa and Minmei. The various Macross sequels focused on other characters and settings instead. Hearing that the attempt by this new movie to answer the question of "what happened" to Hikaru's counterpart, Rick Hunter, was unsatisfying is not really surprising to me. And to repeat what Johnno said; yes, Macross Zero is definitely Exhibit A in showing how CGI and 2D animation can work quite well. It's a shame that the issues with bringing out other Macross stuff here still hasn't been worked out (thus relegating Macross 7, Macross Zero and Macross: DYRL to the realm of fansubs and/or bootlegs).
Maybe MetalWater by Northridge	Aug 13th, 2006 12:22:57 AM
MetalWater, there is some truth to your statement. With the right director and budget, I suppose there is the potential for blockbuster proportions. Batman & Robin was a gayfest that pretty much buried the franchise for a while until Batman Begins came along and brought masculinity back to the Dark Knight. With Gundam G-Saviour...it's pretty much a B-movie that makes any live-action continuation HIGHLY unlikely. There is the tiny possibility of the right director and high enough budget to do the Gundam or Robotech franchises justice. HOWEVER, RARELY do I ever deal in hypotheticals; I don't like to think I, or anyone, can predict the future with precision. If I say that James Cameron and a high budget can do a really good Gundam or Robotech movie, it would only be true in hindsight (i.e., after the fact).
Giggle... by SG7	Aug 13th, 2006 01:05:39 AM
...nothing makes me giggle like watching fanboys rationalize anthropomorphic giant fighting robot suits. While undeniably cool on screen, they are silly as hell when you think about it.
Robotech Movie..Hell yea!! by Agent sith	Aug 13th, 2006 04:06:42 AM
I have been wishing (for years) that some studio like 20th century fox would do a live action Robotech flick. but y'know the powers that be have their minds focused on transformers instead. Macross predated the transformers when it came to transforming robots/mechs, and the series was more realistic in terms of storytelling and depth. hey i can relate more to a human struggle against alien invaders as oppossed to robots in disguise. Bring it biatches!!
Darth by BadMrWonka	Aug 13th, 2006 04:36:33 AM
did you really think I wouldn't find your dumb ass? posting a rant about Kevin Smith in an anime talkback? that's simple-minded even for you. and I thought we settled the youtube peddling...come on man...you can do it...put the keyboard down...(looking forward to another witty comeback from you riddled with "gay" and "fag" comments...let's have it!)
Yikes - They Made This? by Mr. Winston	Aug 13th, 2006 05:28:18 AM
I read this script months ago. I'll have to admit never hearing of the ROBOTECH series before reading and I guessed at the time that there must have been much more of a story before this (indeed this review indicates that there was a precursor to the script I read). On the heels of that, I'm going to assume that hardcore fans of the original might be able to keep up. However, everyone else is going to be lost - the script, in the state I received it, was almost unintelligible. It didn't make a lick of sense to me from page one. I can't imagine how they might have possibly turned it into anything coherent. I'm actually shocked to read not only that there are fans of this series but that this project got made at all. That's not to say the original series or film or whatever it was didn't have merit; it very well may have. But the writing was so poor that, if you're really a fan, you're probably just going to be angry that they didn't even try to put together something that you could understand. It really was one of those scripts that you have to assume was written by someone to whom English was a second language. It didn't make sense to me as a continuation of something (obviously) but more than that it didn't make any sense as its own story - not because I didn't know the characters or the setting. Of course that didn't help, but...well, I'm running out of ways to say the writing was awful. I can't speak to the animation or the voice work but, based on the script, I'd have to recommend that anyone but a mouth-frothing, I'll-die-unless-I-see-it fan not waste your money.
The Story Of The Original Robotech Was Very Clear!!! by MetalWater	Aug 13th, 2006 08:06:34 AM
The writing and story of the original series was as clear as they come...and very smart. Story: When a deserted alien battle ship warps toward Earth, the battle fortress Marcross, mysteriously appears and falls into the hands of humanity. Judging by the size of the ship...Earth's forces know that the alien creators of this vessel are literally giants in size and stature...This revelation leaves frightening implications for Earth's defense forces...who are left with the question: If the race that created this ship comes looking for it, and are hostile, how do you defend the planet from technologically advanced aliens...who also happen to be giants? Preparing for war in case the aliens are indeed a threat to humanity...Earth's military forces utilize the alien's own technology, the fortress ship Macross itself, to defend the planet. It seems the ship is an alien experiment, and the only one of its kind...making it very special to them, and something they want back desperately...so much so, they are willing to start a war over it!!! And in anticipantion of possibly meeting the giant humanoid aliens on the battle field, the Earth defense force creates special fighter craft that can transform into robotic infantry...or walking tanks...roughly the same physical size of the enemy. Upon the launch of the captured alien ship by Earth's forces, all hell breaks loose...thanks to their lack of familiarity with the use of its technology...sucking a whole city into space with the vessel...and drawing a young civilian pilot...Rick Hunter, a mere teenager, into an unexpected call to destiny...and to duty as a much needed and unexpectantly talented hot shot fighter pilot for the crew of the ship. The story moves on from there as the giant aliens, think 30 foot tall storm troopers, appear...and wreak havoc on the Earth...Our only defense...the transforming multi-dimensional space battle fortress Marcross. I'll tell you...when you see these aliens face off with the humans' special transforming fighters...its really something to see...especially when they are fighting on city streets, above city skylines, in space...and even in the corridors of the giant aliens' space ships!!!
Oban = good CG+traditional by turk128	Aug 13th, 2006 08:20:24 AM
Oban StarRacers is a very good example of traditional animation and CG. Instead of going for realistic, they went for style and design. Gorgeous, gorgeous design. Between Oban and Avatar, the West has finally learn from anime and starting on their own path./// Speaking of Avatar, I'm so glad I discovered that after Naruto dropped the ball with their horrible, horrible fillers (Bleach ain't far off). Avatar is better than Naruto as a whole-- yes, I was shocked, too.
Maia Sterling, J.A.N.I.C.E., Ariel? Continuity errors by Monkey_King	Aug 13th, 2006 10:00:26 AM
abound in this production. Apparently, money(not storytelling), was the motivation for this project. Time to string up Carl Macek yet again, methinks!
html formatting off on main page by digital8	Aug 13th, 2006 10:03:59 AM

To be in love, is the sweetest thing a girl could know. by Uncapie	Aug 13th, 2006 11:47:32 AM
Lynn Minmay, now appearing at the Lava Lounge.
It's ALWAYS Time To String Up Carl Macek by Harry Weinstein	Aug 13th, 2006 11:49:01 AM
WARRIORS OF THE WIND. That's reason enough.
Megazone 23 was the first Robotech movie! by JarJar25	Aug 13th, 2006 01:08:05 PM
Scott Green failed to mention that Megazone 23 was the first Robotech movie, but had it's title changed to Robotech the movie with an alternate ending. If anyone wants to see Megazone 23, then check it out. ADV did a great job translanting and brung it out last year. As for the Robotech movie having problems. Well, it could be, because Genesis Climber Mosepeda did end. The problem is they are trying to continue something that never really worked out well to begin with. Changing Macross was one thing, but when they tried to alter the other two series, it got too far away from Marcross and ending up being something that the original creators never intended. Trying watching Macross the Movie, which is the true Robotech film and Macross Plus. Better yet, trying watching the original Macross TV series, it's a lot better than Robotech.
Does anyone remember End of the Circle by Bigstadder	Aug 13th, 2006 02:07:28 PM
I thought it did its best to end the series. Well it had plot holes too and stole from nearly every idea Scifi put out, but it was good enough to put an end to the series. I still want to see this, but I do hope they improve...
NO LIVE ACTION MOVIE! by INWOsuxRED	Aug 13th, 2006 05:37:18 PM
Wait till you have the ability to do a weekly TV show where characters can grow over time, I have no interest in seeing a summer action movie version of Robotech. I'm sure after Transformers you'll all come around to my way of thinking.
Ouch seems like the movie won't be all that... by Johnno	Aug 13th, 2006 07:57:00 PM
judging form the second review... I worry... Ever wonder if the bad blocky animation walking could really be imitating the bad animation of the show? Heh, by that I mean comparing the animation of robotech then to the quality expected of animation today... No? Damn... ah hell, I'll still be watching this. I just have to!
Please Release MACROSS THE MOVIE: DO YOU REMEMBER LOVE? by ZombieSolutions	Aug 14th, 2006 08:20:03 AM
I have like 4 copies of this; several on video and one on DVD puchased when I was living and working in Japan. I will eagerly spend even more of my money on this and buy it again if someone will release a DVD stateside with professionally done subtitles. Hello, Harmony Gold? Consumer over here looking to spend more money.
Where's the Hentai? by Ricky Henderson	Aug 14th, 2006 03:31:32 PM
nuff said.
Re: Maia Sterling, J.A.N.I.C.E., Ariel? by Leto III	Aug 14th, 2006 04:44:02 PM
Agreed. They seem to have taken much of what was established 20 years ago in THE SENTINELS and elsewhere, and blew them right out the SDF-1's airlock. It was AURORA Sterling whom was Max and Miriya's second daughter, though perhaps "Maia" is a nom de plume she assumed upon adulthood (a rift between she and her parents?). We'll see. She'd be right around that age by the time Dana and Bowie arrive in Tirolspace with the rest of the 15th ATAC, though....
Re: "The End of the Circle" by Leto III	Aug 14th, 2006 04:50:05 PM
Agreed, ditto. Interestingly well done finale to the entire ROBOTECH saga, and a very "Sleeping in Light" ending, if I may steal a B5 reference, here. Though it remains to be seen how well this new flick stacks up to the Daley/Luceno novels in its continuation of the SDF-3's story.....despite the fact that the novel is being supplanted by THE SHADOW CHRONICLES as new animation, the movie's gonna have a hard time knocking END OF THE CIRCLE from the mantel of my heart as an true, final ending.
No Misa Hayase? Fuk dat!! by mbeemer	Aug 14th, 2006 05:08:20 PM
(Then again, maybe I don't want to see what they'd have done with the character.) I didn't expect this to be good so I'm not surprised to read these reviews.
embarassingly enough, a buddy of mine edited this film. by Monkey_King	Aug 14th, 2006 06:23:52 PM
The trailer for this looked promising(save, for the 'Ariel' mention by the Scott Bernard voice actor), but then again trailers can always fool you into thinking a film will be great or ruining the whole movie experience by spoiling/showing too much. Perhaps stringing up the screenwriter and Macek this time would finally put these folks on the right track, or...expensive as it sounds.... extensive rewrites, dubbing, new animation to fix their money-grubbing errors.
While we're at it by INWOsuxRED	Aug 14th, 2006 09:16:42 PM
Can anyone tell me if there is a good release of all the original Robetech episodes in order on DVD for a reasonable price? I remember Conan once had a funny bit where a nerd complained about all the various releases of Robotech, where none of them were ever complete. I'd like to rewatch the series, but not randomly.
INWOsuxRED Robotech on DVD by tacoshack27	Aug 14th, 2006 10:09:01 PM
Bestbuy has Robotech on DVD for 19.95 per boxset. There are 7 in all and they are all remasted and the fully uncut versions of the episodes.
Robotech is just a rip off of Macross by Plazola_MEX	Aug 17th, 2006 01:39:19 AM
That
I broke a big rule with this movie... by Xanther	Feb 9th, 2007 12:41:23 AM
I got my hopes up and was left dissapointed.
Dissapointed even... by Xanther	Feb 9th, 2007 12:43:26 AM
grr... This movie could have been an epic three hour event that put Lord of the Rings to shame. Culminating with Admiral Rick Hunter returning to earth to save the planet with his new allies the invid.

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ANIME AICN - Early Robotech: The Shadow Chronicles Review(s) (Updated)

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