Macross Plus |
 | Summary:Stunning anime endeavor follows the struggles of a hot-shot pilot durring a corrupt galaxy's creation of dangerous "A.I.". Visually superb space saga remains a definitve classic amongst mecha/sci-fi devotees, fans of epic storylines and thought-provoking character development. |
| Title Aka: | N/A |
| Company/Distributors: | Big West;Manga Entertainment |
| Year: | 1994;1995 |
| Length: | 4 Episodes |
| Rating: |  |
| Genres: | Science Fiction, Action, Drama, Mecha |
| Format: | OAV Series |
| Content Level: |
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Synopsis:
Intergalactic altercation in "2040 A.D." betides for unique and very different reasons in outer space, not only is it an endemic for war but also a place for technological scampering. This however is achieved primarily by the youth of the society and never by the purported pensioners. Despite the antinomy of the "bona fide" however, there arises the time and place for the seasoned fomenter; in the world of anime, this is all too often a situation given to the hot-shot fighter. Like most facsimiles of this medium "Isamu Dyson" is just one of those people in an advanced and matured world which doesn't know what to do with him. What makes him so plausible though is his sheer ignorance of the present situation at hand. We can't help but root for a guy like Isamu, because we always want him to accede in the world of abhorrent instigators; Isamu's world is already too homely, lucky for him he still has some hint of beauty to hold on to. What makes this high-caliber sci-fi thriller succeed in the end however are not it's widespread pyrotechnics, instead it's the wonderfully befuddled nature of Isamu Dyson's character. He may not know where, or realize what that thing to reach for is; he's anime's favorite character to love and hate at the same time. "Macross Plus" scrupulously crafts the tale of an alleged technological race, and is dealt primarily with two highly sophisticated aeroplanes (If you have any clue of where this medium has been in the last 40 years you'll know it's much more than that). The advanced one, the "YF-21" is a type with the advocacy of the nations and the "Ministry of Defense"; rather, the clandestine company who brought it about. The gruff and inspissated "Guld Bowman" is the new test pilot, in contention with an bewildered but excited "Dyson" whom was just turned over to the hands of the illustrious "Eden"; quite incidentally, Isamu's prime choice after unintentionally being booted for some rather contumacious behavior. Something accustomed to a type such as himself, though he'd hate to admit it due to his short-lived and not to mention frequent exasperation for anything with authority. This is perhaps Isamu's only flaw, considering his second-to-none abilities in the air. Guld Bowman on the other hand comes along as being extremely placated when the competition gets hot, and boy; does it really get hot. It appears there's an additional and far more elusive predicament at hand for the two skillful pilots, it may come of no surprise that Guld's present reverie of the situation is dealt with winning the heart of an erstwhile confidant. But the race for the fighters is not just one of a covert military project, it's also one so illustrious no one dares to look away; and things take a turn for the worst when the two pilot's personal lives get caught into the mix of things. Isamu, Guld and "Myung Fang Lone" all knew each other in their youth; it's apparently remained as such through the sense of callow immaturity. Among everyone that is except for Myung, who's gone on to become the galaxy's most cherished producer of the most dynamic and beautiful pop-idol in the universe, or so she believes. Perhaps Guld and Isamu's unrequited frisk does not go un-replenished given the years of separation and the present contention of the Defense Ministry, or so they believe. It's anyone's game or reprisal for lives or dreams with the transforming fighters, which play out the disposition of struggle better then any argument in a soap-opera. The difference is "Macross Plus" is in a distinctive sense a soap-opera, constructed with intensive action/effects and the complications and redemptions which play out this elusive love-triangle. It's one of animes best, if not the best; there are many reasons why but just don't ask. Just look at the planes and the way they move, you'll see a lot more amidst the shells and explosions than you ever would gazing into the eyes of iniquity.
Review:
It would be almost inequitable to label "Macross Plus" as one of the best sci-fi thrillers ever made, it's also one of the greatest love stories in existence. Though amidst the unmistakable amorousness of it all, it's often difficult to rule out Macross Plus as such in the Macross Plus greatly combines everything fans love about this medium: fantastic art, often mesmerizing and elusively likable characters, action/suspense, romance, a dash of humor and to top it off (As if you didn't already know) one of the coolest soundtracks around; something which leaves a chill down one's spine as much as it's evocatively beautiful emotion. It's something which has become a standard for contemporary titles. While all of this is well and true, MP is primarily a story of redemption; though there's more than one side to the conceit. Isamu is a man whom has either never really loved, or always never really relished true friendship; while he might have both in acumen and action, he's been far too busy searching the skys for his sense of awaited salvation. Whether that is discovered amid the qualities of friendship and/or adventure, one never may tell given Isamu's prevalent attitude; which proves more difficult to deal with than a broken plane engine. But planes are not just "planes" or jets in 2040, they're undeniably "mechs", given "Shoji Kawamori's" unique and newfangled vision of society. This is the basis of Macross Plus, a world so diverse both in culture and technology that it's often hard to distinguish the two. Director Kawamori does a fantastic job in direction, placing this thriller on it's pedestal of contingency. Despite the long-awaited reunion of Guld, Myung and himself, Isamu strikes up a small liaison with one of "Eden's" head project administrators "Lucy" (Though most of them appear as weary n' middle aged, one of them is a 16-year old prodigy). Things apparently take their tole when all learn of the present turn of events. Infuriated, Guld's attempts to console a discombobulated Myung are abrupty halted on account of her own diligence to her newfound work. A following incident finds us in a high speed trial of the skies for efficiency and loyality to the base, every emotion is exposed when the true apparitions of Guld and Isamu emerge amidst the fighting. A pleasant reunion has now erupted into an overflow of aggression. The trouble doesn't stop there, Myung's illustrious and sadistically self-made pop-idol has turned on her; a stur-up of bustle at a huge virtual concert indicates a glitch in the system, to top it off the Ministry of Defense has an un-manned vessel planned in the works. One might come to the conclusion nobody's really happy about all this. The unmistakable kinematics of political unrest and death-defying causerie however never begin and end with your "run-of-the-mill" post-apocalyptic frenzy. The amazing thing about Macross Plus is it's ability to distinguish the two through cryptic emotion. Of course Isamu and Guld are torn apart emotionally through the system of wry corruption, it's most certainly never a case of extreme mettle; it's an incredible story of the means to -- not an end but a new beginning. MP's characters extend through the immense space of psychological and emotional erudition. Not only is the primary love-triangle composed to the point of excellence in rudimentary suspense, but later succeeds in proning a vast and complicated examination of the human spirit through the heart and sound of "Sharron Apple"; Myung's pop-idol, whom at first appears one of the most elusive of the characters (If you can call her one), instead it's a disposition aiding the struggle of character proclivity. Each one in Macross Plus proves enlightening and highly meticulous. You can't help but ponder at the anime's surprisingly subtle profundity amid the incredible pyrotechnics of action/suspense. Most fluke-successful anime films or action movies would always utilize the characters to the extent of exposition to the action; no. Macross Plus instead magically reverses the process to mean something highly cerebral, in the end it's a surprize it's come so far in it's three-hour exposition of artistry seemingly like a short epic. Moreover it's a modest epic not revolving around the display of effects, rather how effects can mean so much for the characters and the plot. Something which Macross Plus never dismisses. There's really not much more to discuss about Macross Plus without really spoiling it or revealing too much, other than an additional antagonist and a few (Needless to say curcial) secondary-characters. The only sheer way to find out is to see it for yourself. Only before you do, simply remember two things about it; which you may not have already known. If I haven't already made myself clear enough, the art and animation in this anime are simply breathtaking; holding up a new standard for animation upon it's initial release. The music for Macross Plus was primarily composed by the illustrious "Yoko Kanno", whom in the world of anime simply sparks a newly found adulation for her great work each time she produces another hit. Though other score is done by the famed "Israel Philharmonical Orhestra", Macross Plus is truly Kanno's masterpiece. Not only to many degrees is MP always emotional but poetic as well in a sense of visual emotion. In it's beginning are "Kawamori's" classic and homage dogfights and explosively exhilarating sequences, also present are the effects-laden concert sequences and the amazing training processions; these lay out the exposition of the things to come. Toppling it off is anime's most original blaxploitation-melodramatic opus, between two main characters; which from that moment on would serve as many examples for future anime directors (Hint, HINT -- MP's co-director!). Also, who could forget the OAV's finale, which is one of the greatest mecha battles ever filmed. Take a quick look, it doesn't hurt to see the medium's cherished differentias which have stood the test of time for 40 years. "Kawamori's" science fiction masterpiece shows us why anime is the very best animation medium in the world today, he does so with profound emotion and intellectual annotation. Rather, in the saga's embedded final words; it's something the progency of the world can create. Luckily, Macross Plus insures us that we may in fact enjoy it first. NOTE: (There is also a feature film version of Macross Plus available, which has been considerably edited to fill the gap of "a-little-over-two-hours" along with a few added scenes which were previously created, but could not be utilized for it's initial OAV release).
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realms of either this or the conventional mete of rousing action sequences; where it truly succeeds in the end is with it's incredible ability to enthrall with it's compelling story, which has remained among anime's most exhilarating and profound in the last decade. One may find it impossible to disregard this classic romp which has withstood the test of time with flying colors, and not to mention some of the most invigorating sequences of animation ever put to film. Simply put, it's an OAV which has evolved into a definitive ground-breaker on many levels. It's a series which serves as a perfect prolegomenon to this great film medium, and while newcomers may indulge themselves to the amazing technical feat, it doesn't hurt for any seasoned fan to re-discover what makes anime so fun to watch. Moreover, it's my pick for the best anime of the year 1995, way back when the heat of controversy was unfolding with "Evangelion", and the tour de force of cel n' CGI was just hitting the states with "Ghost In The Shell". Though none could ever argue the intellectual and visual capacity of those titles, Macross Plus just seems to leave em' in the dust; and not just at the hand of visual extravagance.