The Wings Of Honneamise |
 | Summary:Intricate anime drama follows the events of an alien nation's first journey into space. A slight change of pace for those used to the mainstream action/violence. In-Depth drama, masterful animation and thought provoking social commentary made this classic a critical smash. |
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| Company/Distributors: | Gainax;Bandai Visual;Manga Entertainment |
| Year: | 1987 |
| Length: | 124 Minutes |
| Rating: |  |
| Genres: | Drama, Science Fiction |
| Format: | Feature Film |
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Synopsis:
In alien worlds much like our own, there are the corrupt and the young. Humankind strives on the existance of something from the past, though there are those who take it into their own hands to establish the future for prosperity. Shirotsugu Lhadatt is a young and willing student, while being rather impassive and indolent in his own right. Shiro dreams of something greater, he dreams of being in the skies. Maybe a place to escape the corruption and darkness of mankind's own faults. Like Shiro's it is a dream many have, one that must be cut short due to certain circumstances. Though he may not be bright enough to be up to the task, he obtains a chance for success through the entering of the "Royal Space Force". The Space Force is believed to be merely a fraud, a political and commercial stunt pulled off by the government. Both ridiculed and often hated by radicals, politicians and civilians, it seems nearly hopeless that any progress be made for the aging program's original perpose. Lhadatt is later summoned to be the one to pull it off, volunteering for what may be mankind's most risky act yet. Shiro can only later hope that his dream will come true; despite the criticism of government, his piers and those closest to him. Shiro's spirits are lifted after he befriends an idealistic young devout woman, whom helps him discover his true self-perpose and dream of chasing the skies. A dream which may shed the destruction which the human race has brought upon itself in Shiro's own world.
Review:
Hiroyuki Yamaga's visionary animated masterpiece was originally released in 1987. A lengthy and strenuous production as such, easily sky-rocketed into becoming one of the most elaborate and expensive anime films of it's time. The film was produced by Gainax, originally set at a budget The Wings Of Honneamise is produced much like a 30s melodrama, while maintaining an overall anime feel. The film is chalk-full of dialouge, while obtaining an almost documentary-like feel to it's storyline. This truly adds a more human-like feel, rather than being overly produced and hyped like most titles. While hyped may be completely out of the question for a title like this, overly produced is nothing short of an understatement. The animators wasted no time in making a film of the highest quality, with a high budget at their fingertips. This film was probably one of the most expensive, and it really shows. The animation is truly stunning, detailed, fluid and seamless. Though it may not move as realistically as most, the animators use the full advantage of various camera angles, background set-ups and use of color and motion. The result is a look and quality rarely seen in an anime production. If animation quality is not enough, the scope of the film is masterful. The director has created a uniquely imaginative and totally realized environment. A world very familiar to our own, yet equally creative in it's own right. I feel the director deserves high praise and credit for this film, as well as the many hard-working animators. "TWOH" is definatly nothing short of a masterpiece, one destined to become an anime classic. Perhaps the only complaint about this film, (due to it's nature) is that it's paced and constructed rather oddly. The film is definately not for everyone, and it may leave many fans used to the mainstream at a slight pause. Another thing about the film is the soundtrack, though composed well, seemed to lack originality and was a bit lackluster. The storyline is very mature, thought-out and often confusing at times. One must think to understand the storyline, while others can sit back and enjoy the beauty of it's brilliantly rendered artistry. Hiroyuki Yamaga is a brilliant director, The Wings Of Honneamise is a brilliant film. It is one I highly recommend to drama lovers and anime fans alike. This film is truly one of the outstanding anime classics, and one excellent movie.
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of $8 Million. The Wings Of Honneamise was Gainax's first full-length feature, though it could have easily caused the entire studio to go bankrupt. While nearly surpassing the budget and technilogical requirments of the groundbreaker "Akira"; the film conveys several aspects rarely seen in most anime features. Animation Writer/Director Hiroyuki Yamaga is brilliant in producting a film with such visual and artistic beauty renderring a fully-realized, often emotionally and intellectually engaging human story. "TWOH" is a film unlike any other, in a sense of using unorthadox techniques and several unique methods of storytelling; the result is a visually striking, fully-engaging, beyond epic drama. While not using the familiar 'anime' techniques, the film emphasizes the human emotion; drifting to the use of more interesting character development, dialouge and animation. The movie is paced rather leisurely, giving the viewer a chance to be involved with the storyline. While at the same time, the film establishes the many anime 'techniques', while still managing to maintain the same level of originality throughout. The film has it's share of interesting characters, each playing a specific role in the overall theme and outcome of the film. Though is most prominently centered around two main characters, who both share a relationship which is both fulfilling and complicated; all the characters share a unique quality.