Cardcaptor Sakura: Die Reise nach Hongkong

I first saw two episodes of the series dubbed, and didn't mind it (that's how I saw most of my anime back then). However, now that I have been able to compare the original to a fansub I once saw, the sub was by far superior. In the dub, Sakura sounds 5 years older than she actually is, and Kero has a GUY'S voice. Yuk yuk yuk! Worst of all, the names are Americanised. I haven't seen enough of either to compare episode orders, so all I can say is good is an opening theme (which is played to the same tune as the original) and the end theme.

I now go pretty much mental whenever I hear the accursed title Cardcaptors being mentioned except where it refers solely to Sakura and Li in the show and not the show itself.

Those who've seen the Cardcaptors T.V. series should know that this movie takes place midway through the series-just before the episode "Melin's Story", back when Sakura is still in the process of capturing cards. In the movie she wins a trip for four to Hong Kong. She takes her best friend Madison, her crush Julian, and her older brother Tori with her. (Kero is also brought along as well.) After arriving, she finds herself reunited with Li Showron and Melin. Sakura has also been plagued with frightening dreams lately, and it seems that her winning the trip to Hong Kong was a planned event...see it for yourself.

It was okay, average in detail. Not big action scenes, weak plot for the villain. Not nearly as good as the series but acceptable. Still recommended and can be skipped since its non-canon.

Spinning a movie off from an ongoing anime series is a popular trend and has been for ages. Cardcaptor Sakura being a series that has drew in wide appeal naturally was destined for a big screen treatment of it's own back in the series run. This movie, Cardcaptor Sakura the Movie is set sometime in the middle of the series making this story act as an interquel to expand on the ongoing series. One difficult aspect about making a movie from a serial adventure of the week is making it worthwhile and the Cardcaptor movie delivers on the worthwhile aspect. The main series of Cardcaptor Sakura is about Sakura capturing a set of magical tarot styled cards and ensuring their power remains sealed.

This movie story tells it's own unique side-quest adventure scenario featuring Sakura, her best friend Tomoyo, her older brother Touya and her childhood crush, Yukito going on a trip to Hong Kong. True to the style of Cardcaptor Sakura's story this trip is no luck of the draw but the will of the universe and fate itself. This gives a sense the real sense of being fresh and original and doesn't let the movie feel like a slightly longer episode.

The pacing can be a bit on the slow side, Sakura sees the same dream several times as a means to build a sense of foreboding this may dissuade some and feel a bit like padding.

The animation is of high theatrical quality for the era and still looks very good today. The lighting and color tones are softer and darker compared to the brighter television series but it looks very well done especially on later Bluray remasters. Studio Madhouse teamed with famed Studio Ghibli for the film's special effects and visually it's an impressive marvel of animation for the late 90s. Fluid cinematography adds to the overall energy of the film.

The acting is about what you might expect if you are familiar with the series. The original Japanese cast returns and they do the job all the same as the series which was good as it is for the kind of show it is that is a silly, bubbly and upbeat series. The English dub is best avoided but if you do need to watch it dubbed seek out the mostly uncut version which features the story intact but do keep in mind the names are all Westernized. The heavily edited and trimmed down "Cardcaptors the Movie" is best avoided all together.

A relatively short film, the Cardcaptor Sakura movie will provide joy to fans of the Cardcaptor Sakura series. Obviously for first time audiences with no knowledge this won't be the movie you'll want jump into of course if you are a fan and this has passed you buy it's never too late to check it out.

*Best Show Ever Made *Everyone watch Cardcaptors and give it a chance.

*I don't consider this a kid show, but It's for all ages.

*For both guys and girls.

*Im 23 and a Male and have seen every episode and it never grows old.

*This Show is Very Under-rated and original.

* Its a mature Japanese style show with a more mellow type humor.

* I really hope someone else notices the realness of this show. * This show could have at least 10 more seasons and I would buy everyone for twice of what its worth... *99% of animated American made shows are garbage. * Please Watch CardCaptors Sakura.