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Robotech - The Shadow Chronicles (2006)
RRP: £19.99
Our Price: £2.29 (subject to change)
Good, but you need to have seen the Robotech Trilogy
Review date: 2008-11-27 Rating: 6 out of 10
I'm not sure how I would rate this movie if I had not seen the Robotech saga. As a standalone sci-fi animation it, as some one else has already said, strictly by the numbers.
The story brings together characters from all three story arcs from Harmony Gold's Robotoch series. Rick Hunter is seen, as opposed to mentioned, Dana Sterling is actually drawn appropriately, and Scott is back, complete with Ariel.
The movie starts from just before the attack on Reflex Point, but from the view of the Mars force, not the resistance, then proceeds onwards in a very typical Robotech type story, though with less music than normal. It's nothing special, but reasonably well done. The animation suffers from being late 1990s computer art, but that's still a huge improvement on the second and third parts of the original story. The plot is also a lot less cringe worthy.
Being Harmony Gold it means English language only, no subs, but then it was possibly commissioned by them as it has no association with the 'real' Macross arc.
In summary, if you are a Robotech fan then get this, while nothing special it's well done and entertaining. If you're not, then don't.
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Reviews
Underwhelming
Review date: 2008-09-18 Rating: 4 out of 10
I bought this as it was cheap and had favourable reviews. I watched it and found a strictly by the numbers animated space adventure.
The animation is excellent and the use of CGI and cell-shaded animation works well, with the odd pencil/charcoal-drawn montage included too. However I found the story dull and uninvolving, and my attention wandered from time to time while I watched the film.
I don't recommend this film.
An overlooked classic
Review date: 2008-08-04 Rating: 10 out of 10
Robotech the Shadow Chronicles will probably go down as one of the most underated anime's ever. Perhaps because people misunderstand its greatness. First in spite of being a continuation of a long running series, it is completely accesible to new fans due a clever use of new characters and well placed dialogue, in that respect it does for Robotech what Gundam Wing did for the original Gundam series.
The next great thing about this film is the quality of animation, its blend of sublime 2D animation with 3D visuals in the space scenes gives the film the grace of contempoaries like the new Appleseed films as well as the class of the traditional 2D space operas. Special mention must go to the stunning space battles in this film which have fleet battles and dogfights in sustained scenes, these perhaps give the film it's fifth star from me, as in spite of all the sci-fi films out there few actually have real space battles worth mention.
The other thing in it's favour is that although it follows the increasing trend of anime to have high profile actors do the voice overs, they don't take over and the performances of Mark Hamill and Chase Masterson are good but understated which makes a refreshing change from the over the top performances from filmes like "Steamboy".
It is well worth watching for old and new fans of Robotech!
At last the movie is here!!!!!!!!!!
Review date: 2007-08-03 Rating: 10 out of 10
Robotech: The Shadow Chronicles picks up in the final moments of the last episode of the Robotech TV series, with the Invid forces leaving Earth in fear of a new weapon given to humanity by a secretive race known as the Children of Shadow. The 2D animation is simply fantastic and has a real warmth to it, and with voices by Mark Hamill from Star Wars and Chase Masterson from Star trek: Deep Space 9 this is a must see film for all Sci-Fi fans and fans of the TV series.
Product Details/Specifications
Artist(s):
Robotech
Actor(s):
Richard Epcar
Yuri Lowenthal
Eddie Frierson
Mark Hamill
Melanie MacQueen
Creators:
Mark Hamill (Primary Contributor)
Richard Epcar (Primary Contributor)
Scott Glasgow (Composer)
Tommy Yune (Writer)
David W. Foster (Editor)
Frank Agrama (Producer)
Frank Agrama (Writer)
Alan Letz (Producer)
Jason Netter (Producer)
Carl Macek (Writer)
Steve Yun (Writer)
Ford Riley (Writer)
Director(s):
Recording label: Revelation Films
Manufacturer: Revelation Films
EAN: 5027182613588
Binding: DVD
Number of items: 1
Format: Anamorphic, Animated, PAL, Widescreen,
Release date: 2007-07-23
Aspect ratio: 1.78:1
Audience rating: Parental Guidance
Region code: 2
Running time: 88 minutes
Language: English (Unknown)
Language: English (Subtitled)
Language: English (Original Language)
Language: Japanese (Original Language)