Macross Plus

I have seen both the series and the movie. Quite simply, "Macross Plus" is one of the best animated presentations I've ever seen. I hold it in high regard along with "Princess Mononoke" as some of the finest examples of both Japanese Anime and the art of animation in general. Animation detail and special effects is astounding. The computer animated effects are used extremely well and complement the cell animation in an excellent way. Character designs are unique, yet, recognisable. Music, especially the pop selections, are brilliant. The sound design is beyond reproach. The dub work for both the English and Japanese languages are excellent. The story concept is very well done and feels original. Although I personally prefer the series, the movie is not without merit, as it still boasts a good story of a slightly different version from the series and has additional footage that's not seen in the series. If you have not seen "Macross Plus", watch it now! If you have judged anime only from observations of "Pokemon", you are depriving yourself and making bad judgement about this magnificent artform. One watch of "Macross Plus" and hopefully you'll agree that the best of anime are no "Pokemons". Films like this should be released all over the world for every person to experience! This is Japanese animation at its finest. It's more than worth the money to rent from your video store. It's worth buying for your video library. - Reinhart

This wasn't what I expected; it was not the (literally) earth shattering epic of humans versus bad aliens like the original. This sequal is more of a "gaiden" side-story set with in the same universe. Kind of focuses on some of the "little guys"; test pilots and engineers. But that's not to say that their lives are not as interesting. This is a much more intense, complex, and overall more grown-up story than the original. It's really a solid sci-fi story and would recommend it to anyone. And, one does not have to be familiar with the Macross universe to watch it!

And the great thing is you don't have to have seen Macross before to enjoy it. The story is a bit slow but that's essential for telling the great and powerful story about Isamu, Guld and Myung. The battles are electrifying, fast-paced and magnificent. For a good dose of anime this is your stop.

...if you can, watch the actual miniseries. The compiled movie, albeit it adds some new animation, it also cuts a lot of material. Due to a completely new editing, it lacks much of the suspense of the original series which was specifically written as a serial. The miniseries had its problems, but these holes in the story are even more pronounced in this compilation movie. As people have mentioned, the original 4 episode miniseries was a rare combination. The first two episodes are simply masterpieces. Without a doubt some of the best episodic television you will ever see (animated or otherwise). Episode 3 was not bad but it adds little to the story. The biggest problem is without a doubt episode 4, when all of the mysteries come to their conclusion. Let's just say that disappointment is not a strong enough word. Still, this production stands on its own due to other achievements. Good animation, breathtaking art direction, amazing designs, and its use of music.

Macross Plus is a sequel to the original movie Macross. It is not a sequel to Macross II. I found the original Macross to be unwatchable, partly for its cloying storyline and partly for its grating sexism. Macross Plus is so far removed from these tacky origins as to be a completely new and stand-alone movie.

There are two versions available for this anime-- the series and the movie. The series ends up approximately an hour and a half longer than the movie, but the editors did a wonderful job cutting, so the movie doesn't feel incomplete. In fact, they moved scenes around to create the complete story and even added a few scenes to change the focus.

The story and characters are more solid than many another film, and the animation is breathtaking-- in fact, my friends now use the term "Macross Sky" to denote any particularly vivid and beautiful sky. Moreover, the music is beyond amazing and ranges from symphonic/classical to atonal chant.

Computer animation is used in this film, and is completely distinct from the hand-drawn animation, but it is used entirely with computer-related scenes (a computer-generated concert and an interface with a plane) and the effect is wholly unified.

Try your best to see a version in Japanese with subtitles as the English music has less power than the original. DVDs are particularly good as you can see the varied versions and compare for yourself.

This is the movie I point to to say to American animators, "It is possible to do a fully adult, beautifully animated movie. Animation is not just for kids. Learn." Someday, maybe, they will.