The Eastern Edge

I almost wish I hadn't watched this because Space Battleship Yamato deserves better. I was on the bandwagon until a few minutes ago when I finally watched the trailer for Space Battleship Yamato: Rebirth.

When I heard a CGI Space Battleship Yamato (aka "Space Cruiser Yamato" or "Star Blazers", which is the name I remember it by) was coming out I couldn't wait to see what they'd do with it. At the same time, however, I kept my hopes in check because I was afraid they'd cop out and go with the same old look for fear of provoking the wrath of older anime geeks and military enthusiasts nationwide.

Well, after watching the trailer I discovered to my horror that I was right. Immediately after the cool opening scene of a 3DCG Battleship Yamato bursting through the ice in a fully 3D environment, I was kicked in the proverbial balls beginning with the very next shot when I realized the movie stars the same old semi-animated 2D characters from 1974!
I guess they were just in cold storage under that ice for the last 35 years because they are bloody identical!!

It's not the 1974 characters or 2D that I have a problem with, it's the shitty oil and water blend they've gone with for this movie. What a disappointment. Instead of having the guts to go all out and revitalize a 35 year old cartoon in CGI, they just put the same old product in a new, high tech package to stroke nostalgic fans. If they were going to go with the same look they could have at least dusted off the old artists and animators too and made a really good traditionally animated film. Instead CGI is the gimmick to sell more of the same.

Instead of at least trying to build a spaceship, these would-be rocket scientists became used car salesman when all they did was pump up the tires and put a fresh coat of paint on the same old clunker.