I don't care what anyone says, I had a blast watching this movie. It's probably my favorite Emmerich film next to Stargate and ID4. Granted, if you hate Emmerich's movies, this probably won't change your opinion. Sure, 2012 is a lot more shallow than something like Avatar, but this is the kind of movie where you don't expect a super deep plot line. It's the mother of all disaster flicks, plain and simple. I don't think its fair to compare this to Michael Bay's flicks, at least 2012 tries to add some emotion/pathos amongst all the carnage, and while I didn't give a crap about any of the (Human) characters in Transformers 2, I actually liked some of the characters in this. Emmerich movies are always more about the spectacle than the people behind it, but I thought the cast kept this movie afloat. Obviously, the special effects are spectacular. (The Los Angeles escape and Yellowstone eruption were some of the most epic things I've experienced on the big screen.) It's pretty much an implausible action movie on a massive scale. Movie purists will scoff a lot at it, but entertainment wise, I found it very satisfying and very well paced for its three hours of length. It's hokey, but damn is it fun. I know people hate the term "popcorn movie" but this defines it in the biggest way.
Reviews
3 Reviews
Macross Frontier
(2008)
Best I've seen out of Macross since Plus in 1994.
7 October 2008
25 years after the original SDF Macross series, Kawamori steps back up to the plate and brings Macross back to the basics with Macross Frontier, and yields incredible results. After such lackluster sequels like Macross II and Macross 7, Frontier is a stunning epic that truly sits among the series' best.
Taking place in the year 2059 (50 Years after the events of Space War I in the original Macross) humanity is exploring and colonizing in space in order to insure its survival. Frontier is a colonization fleet headed towards the center of the Galaxy, things are going smoothly, until suddenly they are confronted with the deadly alien threat of the Vajra. Alto Saotome is a student at Mihoshi Academy (and a former Geisha actor) who suddenly gets swept into the conflict. He ends up joining SMS, a special military force formed in order to protect Frontier from the Vajra threat. What follows after wards is a string of conspiracies, love triangles, betrayals and mysteries that all culminates into one of the most epic finales in Macross history.
The first thing you'll notice is the amazing production quality. Frontier is a TV series, but the visuals can hold up even to the most beautifully animated anime film. That's due in part to the amazing CG work from Satelight and the blazingly fast and intense battle sequences. Macross fans will definitely scream with joy at the combat sequences, but within all of that Frontier never forgets the characters behind those transforming VF's.
The cast is memorable and lovable, even down to the most minor characters. From the innocent and cheerful Ranka Lee, to the surprisingly hot-blooded ship helm Bobby Margot. The good guys were very likable and the bad guys are truly detestable. The Vajra themselves are some of the most intimidating aliens you'll ever see in a Macross series. Every time they attack, you get a sense of dread that almost even dwarfs the Zentraedi from the original series. The direction is also amazing and clever as well, each event is further elevated with skill by the amazing score from Yoko Kanno, and the wonderful vocals of Megumi Nakajima and May'n. (Who both play the heroines Ranka and Sheryl)
The show also references many of the Macross series of the past, in which fans will have a ball pointing them all out. A lot of the plot seems to mirror the original Macross series, but Frontier manages to bring a lot of neat and surprising twists. The writers were smart enough NOT to completely copy the original.
The only thing I can find wrong with Frontier is that it ends too quickly. The story is told in a very tight 25 episodes, and there were a few plot points I wish the show could have elaborated on a little further. In the end, it left me wanting more. (Much of the show references the number 25, in which the show was created to celebrate Macross' 25th Anniversary) It stands as the shortest Macross TV series compared to the original and Macross 7. However, these were some of the most enjoyable 25 episodes I've seen in any anime. People new to Macross will love it, but longtime fans will get more of a treat out of this show.
Overall, Kawamori has crafted a Macross sequel worthy of the original, and stands as one of the most exciting anime shows I've seen in awhile.
Taking place in the year 2059 (50 Years after the events of Space War I in the original Macross) humanity is exploring and colonizing in space in order to insure its survival. Frontier is a colonization fleet headed towards the center of the Galaxy, things are going smoothly, until suddenly they are confronted with the deadly alien threat of the Vajra. Alto Saotome is a student at Mihoshi Academy (and a former Geisha actor) who suddenly gets swept into the conflict. He ends up joining SMS, a special military force formed in order to protect Frontier from the Vajra threat. What follows after wards is a string of conspiracies, love triangles, betrayals and mysteries that all culminates into one of the most epic finales in Macross history.
The first thing you'll notice is the amazing production quality. Frontier is a TV series, but the visuals can hold up even to the most beautifully animated anime film. That's due in part to the amazing CG work from Satelight and the blazingly fast and intense battle sequences. Macross fans will definitely scream with joy at the combat sequences, but within all of that Frontier never forgets the characters behind those transforming VF's.
The cast is memorable and lovable, even down to the most minor characters. From the innocent and cheerful Ranka Lee, to the surprisingly hot-blooded ship helm Bobby Margot. The good guys were very likable and the bad guys are truly detestable. The Vajra themselves are some of the most intimidating aliens you'll ever see in a Macross series. Every time they attack, you get a sense of dread that almost even dwarfs the Zentraedi from the original series. The direction is also amazing and clever as well, each event is further elevated with skill by the amazing score from Yoko Kanno, and the wonderful vocals of Megumi Nakajima and May'n. (Who both play the heroines Ranka and Sheryl)
The show also references many of the Macross series of the past, in which fans will have a ball pointing them all out. A lot of the plot seems to mirror the original Macross series, but Frontier manages to bring a lot of neat and surprising twists. The writers were smart enough NOT to completely copy the original.
The only thing I can find wrong with Frontier is that it ends too quickly. The story is told in a very tight 25 episodes, and there were a few plot points I wish the show could have elaborated on a little further. In the end, it left me wanting more. (Much of the show references the number 25, in which the show was created to celebrate Macross' 25th Anniversary) It stands as the shortest Macross TV series compared to the original and Macross 7. However, these were some of the most enjoyable 25 episodes I've seen in any anime. People new to Macross will love it, but longtime fans will get more of a treat out of this show.
Overall, Kawamori has crafted a Macross sequel worthy of the original, and stands as one of the most exciting anime shows I've seen in awhile.
Transformers: Cybertron
(2005)
The most entertaining "Japanese" Transformers show.
2 November 2005
Why aren't you watching Transformers Cybertron? Still mad at how Armada and Energon turned out? Well, forget everything you've seen from those shows, because Cybertron is definitely the best Transformers show since Beast Wars.
Transformers Cybertron is the dubbed version of the recent anime series "Galaxy Force" currently airing in Japan. Quite honestly, Cybertron is my least favorite visually of the Transformers (The TF's stand out a bit too much visually compared to the hand-drawn animation), but the animation is miles better than anything seen in Armada and Energon. Like Energon, the Transformers are also computer animated, although this time done by the more professional anime studio Gonzo. Unlike the stiff and cheap movements on Energon, the characters have much more fluidly quick movement and expression. Not to mention the action scenes are very fast-paced, well-animated, choreographed and exciting to watch. Unlike the "Zoids" stylings of Energon, the TF's look a lot closer to Mainframe's work on "Beast Wars." Cybertron certainly has the best writing out of the three recent TF shows. The Dub uses a lot more self-referential humor and there are also a lot of sly references to earlier Transformers shows that really made me smile. Not to mention the Transformers have a lot more personality and depth compared to the stale clichés of Armada and Energon. Hot Shot's character really works the best as a youthful and learning hero, and he, like a lot of characters on this show grow and change throughout it's progression. I never really felt for any of the characters like this ever since Beast Wars. A lot of people may find the idea of using different accents for the characters strange, but I think it makes the characters stand out much more. (And I'm sure people will remember the G1 characters also having accents) Thundercracker's "hillbilly" accent made him a humorous character and the comic relief of Decepticon cronies Ransack and Crumplezone have a lot of shades of "Laurel and Hardy." Optimus Prime is much more likable a character in this show, and actually proves himself as a reliable leader, and Starscream, well without spoiling anything, kicks MUCH more butt than even his G1 counterpart could hope to do. Megatron tends to get his butt kicked too many times, but that changes later on in the show. Even the humans, which have been a main complaint that many Transformers fans had with the recent shows are handled much better here. Unlike the irritating Armada children and the angsty Kicker, they feel more like real people and have a lot of character development as well, and actually do a lot to help the Autobots. And at least these Autobots have enough sense to keep them out of trouble. They have much more of a purpose on this show. Overall, the character interaction is great, while not quite up to the brilliance of Beast Wars, but it still comes very close.
The show actually has a lot of original elements too. A lot of the Transformers on this show are factionless, and there's some genuine intrigue on which side the new characters will join. Also, the show has a much more realistic touch compared to past shows. In Cybertron, the Autobots do their best to keep themselves disguised from humans, and unlike the past shows, the humans don't conveniently disappear during a major battle. Sometimes humans actually notice what's going on, changing the plans of the Autobots. This shows much more actual direction.
Also, the show's pace is very different from the past two shows. But there's a LOT more going on in a single episode of Cybertron. A lot of the episodes tackle multiple subplots at a time during an story arc. While some might not like this sporadic pacing, I think it keeps the show exciting and full of activity. Its a definite improvement over the dragged out single-minded plot arcs of the last two aforementioned shows. As the story progress people change, new alliances are forged and stuff actually happens. Safe to say, I think Cybertron is the best Trasformers show that no one is watching. Forget Armada and Energon, this show is the real deal. And it makes me happy to be a Transformers fan again. I actually look forward to the next episode.
* A Side note: Don't try connecting Cybertron to Armada and Energon storywise, this is a completely different universe.
Transformers Cybertron is the dubbed version of the recent anime series "Galaxy Force" currently airing in Japan. Quite honestly, Cybertron is my least favorite visually of the Transformers (The TF's stand out a bit too much visually compared to the hand-drawn animation), but the animation is miles better than anything seen in Armada and Energon. Like Energon, the Transformers are also computer animated, although this time done by the more professional anime studio Gonzo. Unlike the stiff and cheap movements on Energon, the characters have much more fluidly quick movement and expression. Not to mention the action scenes are very fast-paced, well-animated, choreographed and exciting to watch. Unlike the "Zoids" stylings of Energon, the TF's look a lot closer to Mainframe's work on "Beast Wars." Cybertron certainly has the best writing out of the three recent TF shows. The Dub uses a lot more self-referential humor and there are also a lot of sly references to earlier Transformers shows that really made me smile. Not to mention the Transformers have a lot more personality and depth compared to the stale clichés of Armada and Energon. Hot Shot's character really works the best as a youthful and learning hero, and he, like a lot of characters on this show grow and change throughout it's progression. I never really felt for any of the characters like this ever since Beast Wars. A lot of people may find the idea of using different accents for the characters strange, but I think it makes the characters stand out much more. (And I'm sure people will remember the G1 characters also having accents) Thundercracker's "hillbilly" accent made him a humorous character and the comic relief of Decepticon cronies Ransack and Crumplezone have a lot of shades of "Laurel and Hardy." Optimus Prime is much more likable a character in this show, and actually proves himself as a reliable leader, and Starscream, well without spoiling anything, kicks MUCH more butt than even his G1 counterpart could hope to do. Megatron tends to get his butt kicked too many times, but that changes later on in the show. Even the humans, which have been a main complaint that many Transformers fans had with the recent shows are handled much better here. Unlike the irritating Armada children and the angsty Kicker, they feel more like real people and have a lot of character development as well, and actually do a lot to help the Autobots. And at least these Autobots have enough sense to keep them out of trouble. They have much more of a purpose on this show. Overall, the character interaction is great, while not quite up to the brilliance of Beast Wars, but it still comes very close.
The show actually has a lot of original elements too. A lot of the Transformers on this show are factionless, and there's some genuine intrigue on which side the new characters will join. Also, the show has a much more realistic touch compared to past shows. In Cybertron, the Autobots do their best to keep themselves disguised from humans, and unlike the past shows, the humans don't conveniently disappear during a major battle. Sometimes humans actually notice what's going on, changing the plans of the Autobots. This shows much more actual direction.
Also, the show's pace is very different from the past two shows. But there's a LOT more going on in a single episode of Cybertron. A lot of the episodes tackle multiple subplots at a time during an story arc. While some might not like this sporadic pacing, I think it keeps the show exciting and full of activity. Its a definite improvement over the dragged out single-minded plot arcs of the last two aforementioned shows. As the story progress people change, new alliances are forged and stuff actually happens. Safe to say, I think Cybertron is the best Trasformers show that no one is watching. Forget Armada and Energon, this show is the real deal. And it makes me happy to be a Transformers fan again. I actually look forward to the next episode.
* A Side note: Don't try connecting Cybertron to Armada and Energon storywise, this is a completely different universe.
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