Customer Reviews

Macross Plus

5 star:		(57)
4 star:		(11)
3 star:		(10)
2 star:		(3)
1 star:		(3)

 

 

I've heard good things about the movie edition for Macross Plus for a while. How it's better then the 4 part OVA. I've never gotten to see it until now, and IMO it isn't better. It feels a little choppy in the pacing department. The new music for the montages wasn't as good as the music they had in the OVA. I don't like that the battle scene with the VF-11B Thunderbolt and the board meeting talking about the YF-19 and YF-21 tests were cut but I like what they did with the rest. The ending is worth (at the very least renting) the Movie Edition of Macross Plus.

My biggest problem is with the picture. The video for the DVD releases for the OVA looks great. But for the movie it looks like a VHS tape. It's not like another company released the movie edition. I know it was put out for the Macross fans but it doesn't mean the video has to look as bad is it does, esp. when the OVA looked so good. I don't think it can be blamed on source material. What is up with the video quality? No one is going to be using this as a demo disc.

My next problem is with the Subtitles. From what I've read there never was an English dub recorded for the Movie Edition and of course to do it for the dvd would cost more money (and I have a feeling it wouldn't be that inspired anyway). I'm fine with it only being in Japanese. What I do hate is burnt in subtitles. Why oh why? It looks tacky and makes the video quality look a little worst. Again, they were going for the VHS look I guess. The audio does sound good though.

The extras are a laugh. The character bio's would have been better if a fan of the the series wrote them, the photo gallery isn't that great and the rest of the extras are just commericals for Manga. But I guess that's what is to be expected as they are pretty much the same (if not the same, but I don't feel like checking) extras for the OVA dvds. Still, Macross is pretty big and it would have been nice to see at least an interview with the director.

Overall I can't recommend this disc. There is no excuse for the bad video and the burnt in subtitles. They must have ported the movie from a VHS tape and re-mixed the sound. If you like Macross I'd recommend picking up the OVA. If you are a Macross region 1 dvd completist then you'll pick this up no matter what, just like me.

An original OVA release, Macross Plus was the first Macross project to make heavy use of computer graphics, blended perfectly with a great storyline and a remarkable musical score by Yoko Kanno. Produced by Shigeru Watanabe and directed by legendary director and mechanical designer Shoji Kawamori, responsible for the original Valkyrie design back in 1982, it was a instant classic when released, both on US and Japan.

But there was something missing, and sometimes, there was too much going on, many would complain on how Isamu didn't died on so many accidents or the martial court that had nothing to do with anything (of course there was a reason for it, but in the end, it just ended up serving as a filler rather than useful, as nothing got changed after it).

Then came one of those Macross special events, where they released both a Macross 7 movie and a movie version of the OVA series that everybody loved. What everybody wasn't ready is that the movie version would be much better thant the original release.

Now the question: why? First, running on 4 episodes of 45 minutes, you got about 3 hours of story, and the movie runs for almost 2 hours, so you know that they cut a lot of fat on this one (and three end-credits of time). Also, they went all the trouble to make new scenes for this release, scenes that surely add more depth to the story, most specifically at two points at the ending (one of them is the ending itself, that's really quick on the OVA release).

If you are a serious Macross fan, you deserve yourself a copy of this DVD, even if you already have the OVA release. If you are being cautious on your budget, then you can get only one disc with the whole Macross Plus experience. Anyway, you're going to be pleased with this disc.

Macross Plus is the first Macross project that came from it's original creators after the Macross movie back in 1984. It is a side story to the Macross universe which pits two former friends as test pilots against each other in a heated variable fighter competition where the winning design becomes the next UN Spacy transforming fighter.

Thus is the backdrop for the ensuing Macross story which delves deeper than just two pilots trying to out-perform each other both in the air, and on the ground trying to obtain the affections of their former friend, Myung, who is now the producer for a virtual music idol. Macross Plus has often been compared to "Top Gun" as it does in fact share some similarities, namely the hot shot pilots.

Most people have seen the Macross Plus OVA. The movie edition simply edits out parts from it and has a slightly different ending along with scenes that did not appear in the 4 part OVA. Thus, many will ask, why get this when I have already seen the OVA?

The reason is that the movie edition has a different feeling than the OVA. Particularly the ending, which felt a little rushed in the original 4 part series. You still have the great music by Yoko Kanno and great mecha design by Kawamori (The YF-19 and YF-21 competing almost echoes the real life F-22/F-23 fighter trials). The trademark Macross love triangle is here, and music indeed plays a major role in the storyline.

If you enjoyed the Macross Plus story as much as I have, getting this disc will make you a happy fan indeed.

... and I've never seen a second of any other thing from the series, though from my understanding this one's a bit of a side story that takes place in the same universe, rather than a sequel. Because of this, you can enter it blind like I did and not feel left out.

Many have called this the anime Top Gun, and I guess it sort of is, except for the whole part about the cybernetic pop star who becomes sentient and tries to slay our two male protagonists out of burning desire. It was codirected by the Cowboy Bebop director Shinichiro Watanabe and it has some of the same themes. Much of the plot hinges on characters confronting their pasts, which are unveiled bit by bit, like the layers of an onion. While this is done with less subtlety than in Watanabe's later work, this very intimate and personal style of character development still works amidst the futuristic landscape of transformer fighter jets, giant dino birds and digital pop. Speaking of which, it is also brilliantly scored by Yoko Kanno the anime soundtrack maestro. The plot is admittedly somewhat silly but then, so was the plot to Top Gun, and the execution here is more than good enough to compensate.

P.S. I personally did not mind any of these things, but be forewarned:
1. There's no dubbing, subtitles only.
2. Video quality is not very good for DVD, though still quite acceptable.
3. A dearth of special features.

The Macross Plus Movie can be thought of as the "Director's Cut" for the 4-volume OAV [Original Animation Video] series that was previously released. The Movie version contains some unreleased footage and sports a more cohesive (in my opinion) story line (compared to the original 4-volume version).

Macross Plus has outstanding visuals and an engrossing story combining the triple themes of rivalry, romance, and raison d'etre ('If I do not follow my heart and dreams, do I really exist?') into one exciting package. Macross Plus was reportedly one of the most involving (and expensive) animation projects in Japan, and it shows in the spectacular mix of computer graphics with more traditional cell-based-looking animation. This film was made 4 years before Dreamwork's "Prince of Egypt"; however I still consider Macross Plus to be the better production overall.

Note to first-time anime (Japanese animation) fans: as of this writing, the Macross Plus Movie version is only available with the original Japanese dialogue (and music by renown composer Yoko Kanno -- accompanied by English subtitles. The subtitles are in yellow and are easy to read.

Director Shoji Kawamori melded technological concepts of virtual idols and thought-driven planes with issues about strained friendships/loves and pained pasts. He wanted Macross Plus to be a treat for both long-time anime fans and newcomers alike. I think he succeeded.

Macross Plus movie edition was first released in Japan in theatrical double bill with the Macross 7 movie. Macross Plus itself is a prequal to Macross set between the original series and Macross 7. (incidentally Macross 2 is not part of the main continuity due to it's poor performance) Macross creator Shoji Kawamori directs once again with Co-Director Shinichiro Watanabe (assistant director for the OAV). Shinichiro Watanabe is probably best known for directing Cowboy Bebop a few years later.

I prefer the movie version to the OAV. There are quiet a few extra scenes and a lot of the story has been rearranged. There really isn't anything in the OAV that isn't in the movie and I felt the OAV dragged a little. Even though there is nothing dramatically new the tone is a little darker and the characters seem more rounded. The biggest changes are probably too Isamu. In this version he's a little more mature, in some ways he's seems like a prototype for Cowboy Bebop's Spike. In the OAV there was very little emphasis on Isamu and Lucy's relationship so watching it in episodes you could forget about it, in the movie it's more prominent and it seems more important. Overall the story is better and better presented and better served by the movie format.

Now for the kick in the teeth. The picture quality is awful (it is better than my VHS copy but not up to scratch for a DVD), the subtitles are hard and there is only one sound track (sound quality is pretty good though). I think all Manga has done is use their master for the VHS version. Why did they do this? Well just a guess but... Manga has the rights to both the OAV and movie in the UK. They released the lovely picture quality episodes on two discs and then strapped (literally) the movie DVD on in a nice package (if it's any consolation all the discs are mislabelled for example the movie has episodes 3 and 4 printed on the disc). The movie makes a fantastic extra but not so great at full price.

This is a great film, I really enjoyed it but I expect a lot more from a DVD release.

I have seen a lot of anime before but none so compelling as the story seen in Macross Plus: the Movie. The animation is top notch, the characters both believable and real, and it includes an absolutely fabulous soundtrack. Outside of the normal Robotech/Macross continium, this story focuses on the relationship between three child hood friends and how by some trick of fate end up together again on Planet Eden. Pilots Isamu Dyson and Guld Goa Bowman are rivals in the competition between the selection of the new fleet fighter jet, The Y-19 and the Y-21, while their third childhood friend Myung arrives on planet as the "producer" of hit singer/computer Sharon Apple. We start the movie knowing almost nothing about the charachters and as the movie progresses we find ourselves caring for the characters and the relation ship they had as children that was abruptly destroyed. The characters grow, learn, remember, regret and forgive each other over the span of two hours in one of the most moving story lines I have ever seen. It is of rare quality to find this in a movie where they also have a titanic struggle in transforming jets and super dimensional fortresses that can rise out of the ground. This movie is a Definite Buy in my book because you will only learn to appreciate it more with more veiwings. This movie has the capacity to make you yell and cheer in triumph as well breakdown in tears of both joy and sadness. The action in the movie is just as compelling as the story. An aerial ballet of rare form takes place through several junctions throughout the movie between the jets and the pilots who fly them. The bangs are well worth the buck.

A movie of joy and sadness, of old wounds and fond remembrances, of tender soul searching and heart pounding action, Macross Plus in not a movie to be missed by ANY movie fan.

I consider Macross Plus as one of the premier Animes, because of its quality in areas that count the most; graphics, story, and music.

The graphics is truly amazing and beautiful, some being integrated with computer generated images. Story is very deep and thoughtful, quite engaging even for older audience because of its mature theme. The soundtrack to this anime consists of techno style to classical style music, and does exceptional job setting the mood.

The Macross Plus originally came out as 4 part series, and later as this version, Macross Plus: The Movie. Macross Plus: The Movie is definitely worth watching, even for those who have seen the 4 Part series, because this version is differently edited and has a different flow to it. It was a pleasant surprise to see this version, because I was expecting a mere shortened version of the longer 4 part series, which runs about 160 minutes overall.

It really felt like watching a new movie, not only because of the different editing, but also due to the extra footages that were not included in earlier 4 Part series. Those extra footage alone, is a real treat because they are not minor stuff that you might or might not notice. They are substantial addition to the story line and has dramatic influence on the whole movie.

Macross Plus is a very special anime and I recommend it to anyone who appreciates great anime experience.

Macross Plus the movie is EDITED. Much of the action (almost the entire Part 3 from the series) has been cut out for time consideration. While still a very good story, and still a very good movie, the series is much better. The story has been slightly changed, as well, and while it retains its cohesion, you really miss a lot after seeing the 4 part series. The movie is 115 minutes (less than 2 hours), and I believe that the series runs about 3 hours. I would give the series 5 stars, but the movie is a bit of a dissapointment (though it is cheaper).

I just bought this anime movie,I'd been waiting for the Movie Edition on DVD to come out a long time ago and I'm proud to say it was worth it.The movie is a delight of beautiful animation and music.The story is smooth and the DVD very easy to navigate.

About the animation used in this anime movie it's something that I haven't seen in any other movie.If I could relate it to another anime it would be "AKIRA" or "COWBOY BEBOP" because everything was meant to be perfect in this film.The music composed by Yoko Kanno is the second most notable thing from this anime.It's a mix of popular and traditional music with a little bit of everything.

The story,that for me was quite well written and intelligent,would caught you attention from its beginning to the very end.If you like anime with a touch of everything,romance,action,mecha,music....Macross Plus has it all.This is the perfect sequel for the original Macross(Robotech) serie that to the date had remaind one of the top favorites of the fans.